Losing a dog is hard on both their owners and their canine friends, and while it might seem unthinkable, possibly the best thing you can do for the remaining dog is get another dog.
In a video posted by @pappyvanwinkle_and_freddy, the caption explains: “2023 ended much better than it started. Happy to have you as my next best friend, Frankie! And to all our friends, have a wonderful and healthy new year filled with adventures.”
Freddy’s best friend, another golden retriever called Pappy van Winkle, sadly died in December 2022, age nine, and shortly afterwards, his owners got a new puppy named Frankenstein, known as Freddy, in August 2023.
In the video, Freddy can be seen getting used to Frankie, as after a rocky start the two become firm friends.
“I lost my best friend, then a new thing arrived. He followed me around everywhere. I was skeptical at first. But I kinda liked having a new buddy around,” explains the text.
“He made me happy again,” continues the video. “No more solo sleep sessions. I’ll share my bed, and my toys. Because it turns out you’re becoming my next best friend.”
Getting a new dog when you’ve just lost one can be a daunting and unthinkable task, however, if you have a dog left behind, it might be the best thing for them.
“Dogs are pack animals, and so having more individuals in the pack (and particularly more dogs) can help them feel safer and more comfortable,” Patrik Holmboe, a veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, told Newsweek.
“Having two dogs allows them to provide more physical exercise for each other. It is very likely that the dogs will play with each other more than you’re able to play with them, and in general, the more physical exercise, the better,” Holmboe said.
“Two dogs will also provide more mental stimulation for each other than just you as an owner can do,” added Holmboe. “Similar to physical exercise, there’s no question that increased mental exercise is beneficial to our dogs. It keeps them engaged, reduces boredom, and decreases chances of performing bad behaviors.”
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The sweet video went viral on Instagram, receiving over 13.3 million views and 800,000 likes.
“It looks so easy, just add one and all is well. Is that a golden retriever thing?” asked one user.
“Love this. My mother’s rule was always if you are going to have a dog then you must have two. My sister’s rule was must have four,” wrote another user.
Newsweek has reached out to @pappyvanwinkle_and_freddy via Instagram for comment.
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
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.