Chihuahua Spent 3 Years Locked in a Cage—Now He Finally Knows What Love Feels Like

For three years, a Chihuahua named Barto lived in a breeding cage. He was only let out for breeding. The poor little guy didn’t know what love and affection were until something wonderful happened: he found happiness.

Barto’s life changed thanks to the Vito Carmela Adoption and Grooming Center (ViCa), located in São Paulo, Brazil, which rescued him from the horrible conditions he was living in and gave him the chance to meet dietitian Natália Prado.

She adopted the dog. Once mistreated, today he lives the life every dog deserves—filled with love, attention, and care.

To encourage adoption and show how love transforms, Natália made a video about the pet’s evolution from the day he was adopted to now, and shared it on TikTok on October 13, garnering over 1.6 million views.

Barto’s Adoption

In an interview with Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news), Natália said that the Chihuahua came into her life on October 10. In just a few days, Barto went from being a fearful and timid dog to a loving and affectionate pet. That’s why Natália said, “Love can change things in just a few days.”

She explained that she had been going through frequent anxiety attacks and very difficult moments. Her husband, unable to bear seeing her like that, suggested adopting a pet.

The plan was to adopt it next year, but the idea had already been “planted in my head.”

The couple followed ViCa on social media, where they had posted a photo of a Swiss White Shepherd up for adoption.

The dog caught his attention, but when he got to the shelter, it had already been adopted. That day, there was a bulldog who quickly won his heart.

“When he got home, he commented on a really cute bulldog... I looked it up on Instagram and fell in love! So we decided to adopt one the next day. When we got there, we went to see the bulldog and interacted with him... However, a little while later, the Chihuahua arrived,” she explained.

The Chihuahua was Barto, a puppy who had just arrived at ViCa. There was no record or information about him.

Regardless of his past, one thing was certain: the dog had touched both their heartsThe couple found themselves in a difficult situation, having to choose between the Chihuahua and the Bulldog.

They left the shelter to have coffee and think it over. When they returned, they were informed that the Bulldog had been adopted by another couple. Barto would be the newest member of Natália’s family!

“We spent some time with Barto and decided to adopt him!”

New Home

Barto didn’t have time to socialize at the NGO, so he arrived at his new home very scared.

The couple was concerned that he wouldn’t get along with Romeo, their other Chihuahua — but everything turned out for the best!

“And everything worked out. In their own time, they’re getting closer — it’s very cute, haha,” she said.

Little by little, Barto has been opening up, and although he hasn’t fully relaxed, Natália jokes that he’s “just like Courage, the Cowardly Dog — lol!”

“When he’s happy, he lies down and stretches out his back legs. He likes to sleep with his head resting on my arm, leg, or neck.”

The dog came into Natália’s life to show her that bad times pass — and to fill a void she didn’t even know existed.

The Video’s Impact

The story touched many internet users! In addition to thousands of views, the post garnered over 228,000 reactions and hundreds of heartfelt comments.

“Ugh, I love these before-and-after videos of puppies. Congratulations on taking care of him,” commented one internet user.

“Crying and thinking that many people live in environments of pain and suffering — thinking that mine could have been one of them — my chest hurts,” declared another.

“I can only cry with gratitude, knowing that he is in a home filled with love,” wrote a third.

Check it out:

There’s a part two. Watch:

May Barto be very happy in his new home!

To follow Natália on social media, click here.

To follow the Vito and Carmela Adoption and Grooming Center (ViCa), click here.