Growing old for dogs can be detrimental to their health—much like humans, canines tend to experience health problems too.
In this instance, Grace, a senior chihuahua, has lost her eyesight, so she can no longer differentiate between her toy basket and bed.
Her owner, Shelby Salmela (@shelby_salmela), has recently shared a video of the 12-year-old dog curled up on top of a load of soft toys.
The TikTok clip quickly went viral, gathering over half a million views and over 137,000 likes.
The text layered over the video says: "She's blind and can't tell the difference between this and her actual bed."
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), vision loss in older dogs can stem from conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or hypertension, which may lead to retinal detachment. Other causes include infections, chronic dry eye, tumors, or diabetes.
Owners are advised to attend regular vet check-ups every six to nine months, as they are crucial for early detection and treatment.
The common signs of vision loss include bumping into objects, difficulty finding food or toys, hesitation with jumping, anxiety, clinginess, or even aggression due to vulnerability.
The AKC states that paying attention to these symptoms can improve your dog's quality of life and adjustment to vision changes.
In the comments, one user said: "My first instinct is to want to cry for her, but I just know she's so happy and doesn't [give a f***]."
"Don't cry! She's a very happy girl," reassured Salmela.
"I bet 10$ she knows," said another user, and the owner agreed, stating: "[Grace] knows and just doesn't care."
A third commenter shared her theory, she said: "The toys have a familiar scent and they're soft. So she feels safe in there."
While Grace has opted for her toys to sleep on, many canines prefer their owner's bed. A 2022 survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that nearly half of Americans (46 percent) sleep in the same bed with a pet at least sometimes.
Two pet experts previously told Newsweek that sleeping with your furry friend can not only strengthen your bond but help alleviate stress.
However, there are downsides, as a dog may fidget or snore at night, which may disrupt your sleep cycle. Dogs may move around during the night or make noises that disrupt your sleep cycle. You may also find yourself with barely any room, depending on the number of dogs or their size, meaning you don't feel well-rested due to an uncomfortable snooze.
Newsweek reached out to @shelby_salmela for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
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