Hearts Melt as Senior Dog Is Caught Playing With Owner's New Puppy

Introducing a puppy to an older dog is not always easy. However, when the two pups manage to bond, their friendship is forever.

A dog owner has melted hearts on social media after sharing a video of her senior dog playing in the backyard with her little pup brother, who was only rescued a few days ago, teaching him how to play by chasing each other.

The heartwarming post shared to TikTok last week by @sierrahayo comes with a text overlay that reads: "Watch our senior dog play with our new puppy for the first time. We rescued her 12 years ago, and him three days ago. I think she will be a great teacher."

"I was recording them standing together because I thought it was progress and then..." @sierrahayo wrote in the video's caption.

Newsweek has reached out to @sierrahayo for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.

A good introduction is what will set the basis for a peaceful cohabitation between two dogs. That's why owners should take their time with it and ensure it is fully completed before letting the two pups interact unsupervised.

Newsweek previously reported on the best way to introduce a puppy to your already established dog, explaining that it's best to keep them separated at first and then do things gradually.

You can then take some short walks with both dogs on a leash held by two different people, only letting them off leash together in a fenced area, and if they both look ready to do so. It is also important to give your older dog a place to be alone, and treats for every positive interaction with the puppy to reinforce the good behavior.

Each year 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet 'Shelter Watch Report' found.

Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

TikTok Users React

The video quickly went viral on TikTok and has so far received over 565,300 views and 84,200 likes on the social media platform.

One TikTok user, Meesa, commented: "Your puppy will give your older baby so many more years of life, just like a puppy again."

PomSkwd added: "Our puppy gave made our senior girl like a puppy again for the last few years of her life."

Jimena Priscila wrote: "When I saw my 15yo dog play like this with a 2yo rescue I adopted, I cried. He hadn't played like that since he was 3. That's when our other dogs had passed."

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.