A video of a dog reacting to smelling his canine sibling’s fur months after his death left viewers sobbing.
A pet parent, known on TikTok as @arcweldingqueen, lost her dog to cancer about seven months ago, but she kept some of the canine’s fur as a memento. An article from Vet Explains Pets said that it has become more common in recent years for owners to keep their dogs’ fur after passing. They’ll use the preserved fur to create jewelry, stuffed animals or artwork, giving them a lasting memory to physically hold forever.
While she’s held onto this piece of her late dog, she has yet to show it to her other canine. That is, until recently. In her April 1 TikTok video, she brought out the envelope holding her dog’s fur. She opened it up and held it out for her other dog to inspect. This is the first time she’s let him sniff the fur since the dog’s death.
His ears stayed pinned back at first, but once the scent ran through his nose, so did his memories of his brother. His ears moved to the front, which the owner called “happy ears.” His face relaxed once he pieced it together.
Newsweek reached out to @arcweldingqueen via TikTok for additional comment.
@arcweldingqueen/TikTok
The clip, which reached over 1.6 million views and 108,900 likes on TikTok as of Thursday, left viewers in a puddle of tears.
“It’s crazy the memories a smell can carry, even for us humans,” wrote one person.
Another viewer said: “SOBBING the way he lit up.”
A third pointed out: “The way his pupils expand when he realizes what he’s smelling.”
Others found peace knowing this dog now has closure, assuming he did not have that option previously. Some said they let their pets see their siblings who died to help them understand what happened.
Dogs, like humans, experience grief for both pets and people. Newsweek previously spoke with animal specialists who recommend giving your dogs extra affection during this time. It’s important to keep them as comfortable as possible because their behaviors might change during the grieving process.
Owners will also want to keep their grieving dogs distracted, which can be accomplished through exercise and stimulation. Try walking your dog in a new location or teaching them a new trick. These distractions can help elevate their moods.
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.