“Protect this man at all costs.”
On the scenic coastline of Oceanside, California, along a well-loved stretch known as The Strand, beachgoer Caitlin McGowan had a heartwarming encounter she won’t soon forget.
Taking a moment to rest on the granite steps overlooking the ocean, McGowan noticed an elderly man nearby, also quietly enjoying the view. Sitting alone, bathed in the sun, he radiated peaceful solitude—but there was something special about him.
In his hands, he held a bag of dog treats.
“Protect this man at all costs,” McGowan wrote in a now-viral TikTok post.
As it turns out, the man is a familiar face in the area, known for his simple yet meaningful routine—greeting passing dogs with treats and affection.
Shaun Simpson, an Oceanside local, has experienced the man’s kindness firsthand with his own pup, Shiloh.
“He immediately noticed my dog in the crowd,” Simpson told The Dodo. “I’ve never learned his name, but I always assumed he’s just a devoted dog lover who enjoys spending his free time in the sun, petting puppies.”
While little is known about the man beyond his deep love for dogs, one TikTok commenter, Summer, shared a touching detail.
“That’s my grandpa!” she wrote. “He’s always wanted a dog, but my grandma is severely allergic—so this is his way of connecting with them.”
Through every wagging tail and joyful greeting from a four-legged stranger, one thing is clear: his love for dogs has made him an unforgettable part of the community.