A video of a 15-year-old yellow Labrador and her new Golden Retriever puppy sibling has gone viral on TikTok, per Newsweek.
The cute clip has amassed almost 100k likes on the video-sharing platform, and it’s easy to see why. In the video, Roxy’s dog parent introduces the senior pooch to Olive, a new puppy sibling, as a subtitle reads “Getting my 15 year old lab a friend”.
There’s footage of the two canines playing together, snoozing, and enjoying puppuccinos. Then, there’s the final subtitle of “Made her final year that much happier”.
Going Viral Online
It’s certainly proved popular with TikTok users, one commenting that “it can really revitalize the senior dog to have a younger friend”, and the account, @_olives_odyssey, now boasts 57.7k followers along with 2.6m likes on their videos altogether.
In other videos uploaded, Olive can be seen spending time with her loved ones, enjoying the outdoors, and watching TV. All in all, she seems to be living her very best Golden Retriever life!
Introducing puppies to senior dogs is something that can definitely be done, and the experience can go smoothly. But there are some guidelines to follow for the best, and safest, results.
When a Puppy Meets a Senior Dog
The American Kennel Club recommends that the canines first meet on neutral ground, and that dog parents set boundaries when the puppy does move in. For example, your senior dog should feel as if their possessions still belong to them.
There should be space for your senior dog to go to relax on their own too. Both dogs will need time away from each other. Feeding can be tricky, too, particularly if either dog has particular dietary needs, or one’s a slower eater than another.
However, having a senior dog can make some things easier. Training and housebreaking might be less difficult, with the older canine sibling acting as a role model. And, of course, they may learn to enjoy each other’s company, too.
