Hearts Break As ‘Highly Fearful' Chihuahuas Discover Safety for First Time

A couple fostering a bonded pair of rescue Chihuahuas were determined to show them that being picked up isn’t scary-and they absolutely succeeded.

Tate Mitchell, 29, and her wife, Katie Heinrich, 32, are from New York City, and have dedicated a large chunk of their lives to helping animals in need.

The couple regularly foster animals, sharing updates on how the pets are doing to their TikTok account, @katieandtatesfostermates. Viewers follow along and watch the animals flourish, before they are ready to find their forever homes.

Now, Mitchell and Heinrich’s efforts to help a pair of terrified bonded Chihuahuas have gone viral, as they took matters into their own hands to teach the dogs that it is fine to be picked up.

For more than a month, the couple have been caring for a “highly fearful bonded pair,” Chihuahuas Carla and Rosy, and while they have made fantastic progress, Mitchell and Heinrich believe “they may be stuck in their growth toward human affection.”

The couple wrote in the caption to a viral video shared in April: “While we know that not every dog is meant to be a cuddler, we’re trying to show the girls that we don’t only pick them up when something bad happens, like going to the vet or getting an urgent bath.”

The video, with more than 15,000 likes, shows the women explaining they are “trying a new tactic with the girls, who have never let us pick them up. We’re just going to pick them up.”

And while the dogs appear fearful when they get picked up, they quickly calm down when they receive treats while resting in their foster carers’ arms, being rubbed and praised gently as they eat slices of turkey.

After success with Rosy, the women try the same thing with Carla, who was “really scared” when they first tried to pick her up, and appeared to be trembling in their arms at first, even while eating her treats.

But, by the end, Carla was calm, nestling into her fosterer’s body as she was being held, accepting pets, kisses and head scratches.

The couple wrote in the caption: “We’re picking them up and giving them turkey, cheese, lil kisses and a whole lot of tender words of encouragement.

“We hope this makes them trust us more and in turn moves [them] toward getting adopted someday soon.”

Animal lovers were in tears, and praised the couple for their efforts to help the bonded pair, with one writing: “They did fantastic and so did you guys!”

“They want to be loved so bad! Carla leaning in…my heart,” another wrote, while a third shared: “My two Chihuahua rescues were the same, at the beginning we couldn’t touch or look at them,” but “now they are both love bugs with us.”

Chihuahuas are affectionate towards family and are known for their huge personality inside a tiny body, generally weighing no more than 6 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club.

The AKC describes Chihuahuas as ideal city pets, adaptable, and loving quality time with their owner, usually on their lap.

Carla and Rosy are available to be adopted together through Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 10:59 AM.