You may want to grab some tissues before watching this heartbreaking video of two dogs saying goodbye for the final time to their senior brother.
In a viral TikTok post shared by owner Britney Rene (@britneyrene), viewers are moved by a deeply emotional moment as her two dogs gently sniff their companion Boomer's lifeless body. The poignant video has resonated with many, gathering 1.4 million views and 115,000 likes.
In another video, she tells her followers about her 13-year-old dog, who passed away from a brain tumor. The tumor was discovered almost three months before the clip was taken, and the miniature Australian shepherd, who was blind and deaf, deteriorated rapidly. The owners made the difficult decision to end his suffering and euthanize him. Before burying him, they ensured their other pets had the chance to say goodbye.
The montage of clips posted on November 17 shows the dogs smelling Boomer, followed by an old clip showcasing their "special bond," as noted in the text.
"He loved his two sisters," states the caption, which is evident in the archive videos, as he is shown always staying close to them and expressing his love by grooming them.
The caption continues: "I think it's important to let your pets say goodbye. They grieve, too."
Indeed, canines can become emotionally distressed when experiencing a loss—whether that be a human or another dog. The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that dogs may exhibit various signs of grief, including:
- Withdrawal from people or other pets.
- Loss of appetite.
- Lethargy or sleeping more than usual.
- Unusually aggressive or destructive behavior.
- Unusual vocalizations, such as calling out for the deceased companion.
- Searching for the lost companion in familiar places.
- Increased clinginess and following their owner around.
These behaviors reflect a dog's emotional response to the absence of a loved one and should be met with understanding and support. Owners can help their grieving pets by offering love, praise, and reassurance, while gently redirecting any destructive behaviors.
In some cases, owners might need to reach out to their vet if their pet refuses to eat or seems very lethargic.
TikTok in Tears
So far, the video has garnered almost 4,000 comments from strangers sending their condolences.
One user said: "His lifeless body then seeing videos of him alive. I'm so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace!" To this, Rene responded: "He was such a good boy! He lived a beautiful life. It's so hard to say goodbye."
Another user wrote: "We are their whole life. The shortest amount of time we have loving them and giving them the world. While we spend the rest of ours grieving the most unconditional love we ever have. I'm so sorry."
"I'm glad you allowed them to see their brother. I'm so sorry for your family's tremendous loss. Cried my eyes out seeing how much they all loved each other," said a third commenter.
Newsweek has reached out to @britneyrene for comment via TikTok.
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