A social media video of a golden retriever “crying” over a torn toy has broken hearts across the internet.
The moving video, which has been viewed more than 2.5 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on December 27, captured Elton the golden retriever’s distress after finding out that his favorite toy had gone through some wear and tear.
“Today we heard Elton crying. When we came down we saw him carrying his broken teddy,” Elton’s owner, who manages the TikTok account @eltonthegoldenretriever, shared in the post.
The post had been captioned: “Sweet boy gets so attached to his Teddies.”
Do Dogs Get Attached to Toys?
Like children, most dogs get attached to their family members, belongings and toys, with one toy trumping all the rest to become their favorite possession.
Elton’s owners had made clear that the ripped cuddly toy was one of the dog’s firm favorites.
According to research collated by the pet care company Wag!, dogs perceive toys in the same way wolves perceive prey.
“It all comes down to texture, shape and size. Dogs prefer toys that either taste like food or can be torn apart, and each specific type of toy determines a different reaction from your pup. For example, if your pup is a squeaky toy lover, then he is simply following his natural-born instinct to hunt,” says the website.
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What Do the Comments Say?
Since it had been shared to the social media platform on December 27 by @eltonthegoldenretriever, the TikTok post has been liked by over 255,000 users and commented on more than 700 times. Plenty of TikTokers have voiced their heartbreak at the moving video in the post’s comments section.
“Please tell me you fixed him,” one user wrote.
Another user added: “Awww, please tell me he had surgery and is whole again.”
“This is the saddest video I’ve ever seen. Poor sweet Elton hopefully he can get his teddy fixed,” a third TikToker shared.
“Awww poor baby! My fur baby on the other hand delights in ripping his stuffies apart,” a different TikTok user commented.
A fifth user shared: “To the hospital! Dr. Mom can get it fixed!”
The TikTok post can be seen here.
Newsweek reached out to @eltonthegoldenretriever for more information via TikTok.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.