A video of a dog waiting for her dad to return over a year later provides viewers a glimpse into how breakups can affect pets.
A pet parent, known on TikTok as @finding.golden, shared in a July 1 video her golden retriever lounging on the deck, depressed, waiting for her dog dad to return. The dog, Zoe, does not understand that her owners ended their relationship 1 1/2 years ago. And yet, every afternoon, she waits for her dad to return, the owner told Newsweek via TikTok.
While a breakup affects the people involved, it also affects pets, especially this canine, as the owner said they “raised her like childless people in their 20s.” Zoe went everywhere with them—friends’ and family’s homes, work and errands. But her life turned upside down. Despite him leaving and never visiting, Zoe still holds onto hope he’ll return.
“She starts at a window watching the road, and if a similar sounding car drives past, she’ll run to every window to look, then wait near the front door,” she said. “… before he left, she never sat and slept outside at night, ever. Some nights I find her out there in the middle of the night, and it’s just so sad.”
Realizing the toll it’s taken on Zoe, this owner stopped saying “dad” in conversations. She’ll be cautious when rewatching videos in case he speaks because it causes Zoe to perk up. They’ll take “therapy” visits to the beach to lift her spirits, she said.
“Golden retrievers are sensitive, gentle souls, and watching her hurt is sometimes worse than him leaving me,” she added.
The TikTok video reached over 1.2 million views and 124,600 likes as of Wednesday, with reactions taking the owner by surprise, as people were conflicted.
“It resonated with a lot of people, but also demonstrates how many people are prepared to abandon an animal for no reason,” she said. “So many comments—especially from men—assume the only reason someone would abandon an animal is if there wasn’t another choice.”
One viewer wrote: “It’s about a poor doggo missing a key human in its life. Dog doesn’t know he was leaving and never coming back.”
Another added: “She thinks he’s lost. She’s right. The pain lasts for as long as the heart is deep.”
A third person commented: “My ex and I share custody … it was a messy breakup and I am willing to have heartbreak everytime i see him just so i can see my dogs. Theres no excuse.”
Helping Pets Through a Breakup
As intuitive animals, dogs spend their days observing their owners and daily routines. They can sense a change in habits or emotions, including when a couple splits.
Dogs might move to new homes or see their owners less often after a breakup. This unfamiliar routine could cause emotional stress, just as much as it affects people.
An article from Hanne Grice, clinical animal behaviorist, mentioned a few steps that would help reduce a dog’s stress during a breakup. Try to keep the dog’s routine the same during this life change.
If a move is involved, make frequent visits beforehand to the new area and, if possible, the home. Keep the visits positive. Avoid negative talks with an ex in front of children and animals, as they can pick up on that energy.
Finally, be sure to visit your veterinarian to rule out any physical causes if your dog shows signs of lethargy, spending more time in bed, persistent licking or an unwillingness to walk and play.
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