A heartbreaking TikTok video shows the moment a dog was rescued by its owner after slipping off a cliff and nearly falling down the slope.
The video, posted by TikTok users Matt and Josi Struck, shows their beloved pup Dexter sliding off the edge and hanging off his leash for several seconds.
Matt pulls on the leash while Dexter hangs off the edge, hidden by the lush greenery of the plants and as a huge mountain range surrounds the area.
“Still can’t believe this happened #dogs #dogowners #psa #neardeathexperence,” the couple wrote in their video’s caption.
The video has been viewed 1.3 million times on TikTok and about 64,000 likes.
A heartbreaking TikTok video shows the moment a dog was rescued by its owner after slipping off a cliff and nearly falling
The scary incident happened with Matt and Josi Struck’s dog Dexter (dark dog).
Just before Dexter is seen sliding off the edge, Matt is heard telling the animal to be careful as “it’s kind of a sketch” in the area they were walking.
The couple – dubbed @lovestruckadventures – wrote that they believe their dog’s life was saved by wearing a backpack and staying on a leash.
In the 22-second clip, Dexter and the couple’s other dog are both seen walking through the woods near an edge when Dexter begins to slip.
The couple’s other dog stays on the edge while Dexter falls under the greenery and Matt immediately starts trying to save the animal.
Matt struggles for several seconds trying to pull Dexter to his feet while also managing the leash for the couple’s other pup.
Fortunately, he is finally able to pull the dark-skinned dog back to land, where the dog seemed unbothered by the whole ordeal.
Commentators on TikTok shared their shock and amazement at the rescue.
Dexter said, ‘Wut bruh? I’m fine. I was just watching.” So unfazed,” one joked.
“Dexter said, let’s get off the beaten track and follow our own path,” said another.
In the 22-second clip, Dexter and the couple’s other dog are both seen walking through the woods near an edge when Dexter begins to slip.
Fortunately, he can finally pull the dark-colored dog back onto land with him
Dexter said, ‘Wut bruh? I’m fine. I was just watching.” So unfazed,” one joked
Dexter and the other dog couple in a photo from Instagram
The couple lives in Portland, Oregon and regularly visits hiking trails in the area
Others shared their relief that Dexter was safe at the end of the day.
“I just felt my life leaving my body. These weren’t even my dogs,” one wrote.
“Your quick action really saved his life, the pack certainly helped, but you were paying close attention,” commented one user.
In another TikTok video, Matt and Josi joked about the incident in a video that used a popular TikTok sound.
In that video, they shared footage of Dexter’s rescue, writing, “He has one of the most traumatic experiences of his life,” followed by a clip of Josi dancing.
“I danced around taking pictures of the flowers just out of sight,” was the captioned portion of Josi’s video.
“Omggggg, so glad you’re all right!!” wrote another person.
According to the American Kennel Club, walking and hiking are both great ways to keep dogs active, but it should be done with guidelines in mind.
The organization recommends that your dogs wear their ID tags and a “sturdy six-foot leash” at all times.
In addition, they believed that dogs should be on a leash to put other walkers at ease.
“Unleashed dogs can run quickly when they detect a scent and can disappear from your sight very quickly,” writes the American Hiking Society.
“Always use a leash so that you and your dog complete the walk together safely and can walk again at another time,” they say.