The heartwarming moment when an owner gave her senior dog an extra special treat has delighted the internet.
In a video shared on TikTok, a 16-year-old Labrador named Zeus stole hearts as he enjoyed a McDonald’s meal with his three-year-old daughter, Root.
Zeus’ owner, Vicki, shared the footage under the handle @zeusandroot and the video has since been watched more than 700,000 times.
In the viral video, the owner explains that it is all about “treating your 16 year old dog to all of their favorite things.” As a result, Zeus and Root get their very own McDonald’s Happy meals, including salt-free fries, chicken nuggets and a plain burger.
As Zeus gently savored his meal, Root took a more excitable approach. The owner joked in the caption: “Proof one my dogs can also inhale food with no manners! Zeus is obviously a perfect and polite gentleman.”
Labrador retrievers have been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1917, and they rank as the second-most-popular dog breed in the United States. Their lifespan typically ranges between 10 and 14 years, but some live even longer. In 2022, Labrador Buster Brown celebrated his 23rd birthday in a viral video.
In a series of comments, delighted animal lovers shared their reactions.
“Bless. 16 deserves every morsel of his treat,” said User9224798380381. While viewer Jacq recalled their own experience: “I took my lab to McDonald’s for his last meal—large box of chicken nuggets.”
Many were delighted to see Zeus enjoying such an exciting treat: “She looks fabulous for 16! Love this. Thank you for sharing.”
While McDonald’s meals may not constitute an ideal diet for dogs due to their high fat, sodium, and seasoning content, the gesture for the elderly dog is understandable in this situation.
“I hope Zeus had a lovely afternoon nap afterwards too,” said TikToker theshinyticketco, while another dog owner shared a similar experience: “I take my 17yr old girl for the fries. she’s earned the right to human foods. no more kibble only she gets whatever she wants,” said arbafrsh.
Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images
This isn’t the first time a dog has enjoyed fast food as an extra special treat. Like terminally ill Goob, who had an extra special McDonald’s meal, or the rescue dog that captured hearts when a rescue center shared a video of some of their dogs enjoying a burger for the first time.
Newsweek reached out to @zeusandroot via TikTok 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.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.