A woman who never considered herself a dog person has developed an incredible bond with the puppy she only got for her children.
Ilana Wiles, 50, is a content creator based in New York City, and until a few years ago, would not describe herself as a dog lover.
"I didn't have a dog growing up and was never really a dog person, but my daughters—especially my oldest Mazzy, who was about 10 at the time—were begging for a dog," Wiles told Newsweek.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Wiles and her husband thought it was "the perfect opportunity to take care of a puppy," because not only was everyone home all the time, but "emotionally, getting a puppy would be really good for the kids" during what was a "tough time."
And, instantly, Frankie the Cavalier King Charles spaniel was "the perfect addition to our family," providing "so much joy at a time when there was so much uncertainty."
Recently, to celebrate five years since Frankie joined the family, Wiles shared a video to her TikTok account @ilanawiles, showing how she changed from not being a dog person, to being totally bonded with the pet.
It began with Frankie as a puppy, staring up at the camera, with words over the video explaining: "When we first got Frankie, I wasn't really a dog person. I got her for my kids."
But Wiles and Frankie quickly figured out a routine, as the video showed a montage of Wiles making a coffee early in the morning and sitting down on the floor, where Frankie instantly climbed into her lap for a cuddle.
"I tried to bond with her by sitting on the kitchen floor and letting her climb into my lap while I drank my morning coffee," she explained.
Over and over again, clips of Frankie rushing into Wiles' lap for a morning cuddle play over the video, as Wiles revealed: "Frankie cuddles became part of my regular morning routine."
She added over a clip of grown-up Frankie rushing towards her: "Five years later and now I can't imagine morning coffee without Frankie."
TikTok users had a huge reaction to the video, which has over 175,000 likes since being shared on January 29, with one commenter declaring there is "no better dog than a Cavalier."
One wrote "Mornings are for the girls," and another shared the sweet comment: "She probably smells that coffee and just gets the happiest warm feeling."
"Her pouncing into your lap?! I can't," another said with a crying emoji, as another said it was "quite possibly one of the sweetest things I've seen."
And as one put it: "Both of y'all have trained each other well."
Wiles, who also posts to Instagram under the username @mommyshorts, told Newsweek Frankie was "easy to bond with, honestly, because she is such a gentle dog."
She said she had heard King Charles' like Frankie are "great first dogs," describing them as "friendly, loving and not too energetic and demanding."
This is reflected in the American Kennel Club's description of the breed, which notes the affectionate, gentle and graceful nature. They are known to be affectionate with family, good with young children and other dogs, and can adapt to a family's active or relaxed lifestyle.
"I'm an early riser and I loved that she would just sit with me and relax while I drank my coffee," Wiles said.
"Five years later, she still does!"
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.
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