‘Meet Dobby.’ Tri-Cities pup is a viral TikTok sensation with millions of views
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tri‑Cities foster pup Oliver went viral on TikTok and Instagram with millions of views.
- Mikey’s Chance rescue highlights foster needs; 175 dogs rely on about 90 homes.
- Fostering saves medically fragile dogs; rescue supplies care while homes provide stability
A big-eared Tri-Cities foster pup from Mikey’s Chance Canine Rescue has gone viral for his resemblance to Dobby the House Elf from the Harry Potter franchise.
His real name is Oliver and his sudden celebrity status is helping highlight the importance of fostering.
Oliver is a 14-week-old medical foster who came to Billie Wensveen with a rectal prolapse, which required surgery. Wensveen was quick to sign up to foster Oliver after learning he was the brother of another pup she recently took care of.
Wensveen’s “bonus daughter” Brookyln Washburn said as soon as they saw Oliver in person, they realized how much his big ears made him look like the sock loving house elf.
He became a sensation on TikTok when Wensveen’s “bonus daughter” Brookyln Washburn posted a short clip introducing “Dobby” with a picture of the famous character.
That TikTok video went viral, garnering more than 16 million views and 3.7 million likes. Two other videos of Oliver have 1.9 million and 1.3 million views, with well over a million more between other recent uploads. On her Instagram account, she has another 25 million views.
So many ways to help
Wensveen has been fostering with Mikey’s Chance for more than a decade. She said it’s incredibly rewarding.
“It’s nice to know that we’re helping homeless, abandoned or sick animals that might not survive,” she said.
“Without fosters they wouldn’t be able to (help) dogs like him,” Washburn said. “The shelter wouldn’t have been a suitable place for him.”
Oliver, a pit bull mix, is a happy, loving pup that gets along with other dogs and cats. He wants to play with everyone.
He’ll need a few months to recover and get all of his vaccinations before he’s available to adopt.
“He’s so special,” Wensveen said. “He’s just a precious and lovable guy.”
Wensveen said Mikey’s Chance prefers to place dogs with homes in Washington state.
Washburn didn’t think the video would blow up the way it did, but while the spotlight is on Oliver the pair are using it to advocate for fostering.
“The main thing I’ve been trying to do is, we found out the rescue is in need of more money,” she said.
She said that even if you can’t foster, there are so many other ways to help.
Mikey’s Chance currently has 175 dogs across about 90 foster homes.
For those looking to foster, it can be a good learning experience. Fostering can also be an option for people who can’t have a pet full-time. They’re always looking for help taking care of dogs while other fosters are on vacation or out of town.
“The best part is that they provide everything,” Wensveen said. “You’re really just a home. You’re providing love and stability.”
For more information, visit mikeyschance.com
This story was originally published February 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM with the headline "‘Meet Dobby.’ Tri-Cities pup is a viral TikTok sensation with millions of views."
