A recently amputated dog who was undergoing cancer treatment has moved internet viewers to tears after a video showed her determinedly carrying her Scooby-Doo soft toy upstairs.
Asia, a 6-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever from East Yorkshire, in the U.K., was first diagnosed with cancer after her owners noticed something unusual while on vacation in the Lake District—a mountainous national park in northwest England, known for its lakes, forests, and hiking trails. Asia’s two dads, Jared Power and Scott Oldridge, spotted a small lump on her back paw pad during the trip and later sought veterinary advice.
Power told Newsweek Asia underwent surgery in March to have her leg amputated as part of her cancer treatment. Wanting to bring her some comfort during her recovery, her dads surprised her with a large Scooby-Doo teddy. Since then, the soft toy has become her constant companion.
A TikTok video showing Asia holding the oversized teddy in her mouth and carefully dragging it up the stairs to bed quickly went viral, racking up more than 116,000 views and over 20,000 likes.
Power said: “For the first few weeks, she had to stay in a crate to not pull her stitches or hurt herself, but it was during this time she really became attached to her new Scooby-Doo teddy, she used it as a pillow, she used it for comfort and she suckled on it when she was upset.”
Power added: “I think that, because Scooby was there with her every step of her recovery, she became really attached, and now she brings him everywhere with her. She likes to bring the teddy to bed with her every night, and he sleeps right next to her.”
Power said that the lump was discovered in February and, following extensive tests including a biopsy, CT scans, and X-rays, vets diagnosed Asia with histiocytic sarcoma—an aggressive form of cancer.
He said amputation was the only viable option to remove all traces of the disease and prevent it from spreading. After the surgery in March, the family wanted to lift Asia’s spirits during what they knew would be a difficult recovery, which led them to buy the Scooby-Doo teddy. Power said the toy became a major source of comfort during her hardest moments, adding that Asia has since even received fan drawings of herself and Scooby, which her owners proudly framed in their home.
“Next time you feel like you can’t do something—just remember my disabled 3 legged dog brings her life-size teddy upstairs to bed every night,” Power and Oldridge wrote as text overlaid on the viral clip.
TikTok users were quick to share their admiration for Asia’s resilience and determination.
“See why can’t teachers show us this to motivate us,” one user commented.
“That’s a level of determination I aspire to,” posted Amanda.
“How is it possible to love a dog I’ve never met…” added another user.
“Asia what an inspiration you are, nothing will stop you living life to the full, you carry on my beautiful girl, such an amazing character, god bless you,” wrote Linda.
“Bless, nothing stopping this beauty,” shared Suki.
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