According to ratings research company Nielsen Korea on the 14th, the previous day's broadcast of SBS "Animal Farm" recorded a peak viewership rating of 5.1%, taking first place in its time slot, driven by Tobaeki's challenge of throwing his very first professional baseball ceremonial first pitch.
The broadcast depicted the 180-degree changed retired daily life of Tobaeki, a veteran rescue dog who navigated 253 rescue sites over six and a half years. Having become a true family member of Firefighter Kim Chul-hyun, his field partner, Tobaeki drew cute laughter as a "slacker dog off duty" who showed clumsy moments in front of snacks and hamburger smells instead of fierce charisma, and even made indoor urination mistakes.
Following this, Tobaeki was given his "254th mission" to raise interest in retired national service dogs. Entering the baseball stadium wearing a Samsung Lions uniform with the number 119, Tobaeki was welcomed by Koo Ja-wook and Kim Young-woong, and stepped onto the mound after receiving pitch coaching from player Kim Young-woong. When catcher Kang Min-ho received the ball thrown by handler Firefighter Kim Chul-hyun and passed it to Tobaeki, Tobaeki swiftly grabbed the ball as if waiting for it, successfully completing his very first ceremonial first pitch.
Firefighter Kim Chul-hyun shared a touching lingering impression by adding, "Only about 20 percent of retired national service dogs are adopted into families," while asking for warm interest in adoption and the happy retirement of these devoted service dogs.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)