A 9-month-old Labrador retriever who is searching for a forever home has stunned the internet with his unexpected behavior during playtime.
In a post on Instagram with over 1.3 million views, the dog named Mort Moreland was running through the living room in pursuit of a ball.
His puppy excitement sent a rug askew—but then, something remarkable happened. Mort paused mid-play, nudged the rug back into place, and only then resumed his joyful dash.
The unexpected moment of civility was captioned: “Did the foster puppy just… fix the rug?” While rescue Last Hope K9 added: “Mort is very polite and promises to help tidy up your home. This little lab is 8 months old, 27lbs, incredibly easy-going, and good with dogs, cats, and dog-savvy kids.”
“His foster was playing fetch with him indoors to burn off some energy when they caught the clip,” Amanda Dunn of Last Hope K9 Rescue told Newsweek. “Mort just slid into the rug, stopped, and fixed it. It wasn’t trained behavior—it was just Mort being Mort.”
@lasthopek9/Instagram
Originally found in rural Arkansas, Mort was placed with a southern foster family before being transported to Massachusetts last month.
In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters.
Though little is known about his past, it’s clear he’s ready for a new chapter. Described as easygoing and affectionate, Mort thrives on both playtime and peaceful moments, embodying the Labrador spirit.
“Mort would flourish in a home that enjoys daily walks and offers consistent structure,” Dunn said. “He’s been fostered with other dogs and cats, so he’d do great as a sibling, or as a solo star.”
Residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut can apply to adopt Mort, and perhaps witness his legendary rug-fixing etiquette firsthand.
Last week, heartwarming footage of the moment a woman “knew” that her foster dog was destined to stay with her melted hearts. While another foster dog was caught on camera in the moment he finally felt safe enough to snooze on the couch.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
