A video showing two dogs mourning the loss of their canine sibling has gone viral, sparking a wider conversation about the emotional lives of pets and the importance of allowing them to process grief.
Jennifer, a devoted pet owner, shared the heartbreaking moment on TikTok, revealing that her dog Munckin, whom she saved from the streets in 2013, had passed away. Having been by her side for over a decade, Munckin’s death left a profound void in Jennifer’s family, especially for her other two dogs, Charlie, a chocolate Labrador pit mix, and Bailey, a Jack Russell Chihuahua.
The decision to allow her dogs to say goodbye was not an easy one. Jennifer explained that in the past, she had not let her dogs witness the passing of a sibling. She recalled how Munckin had been deeply affected when another dog in the family died and would wait by the door for him, unable to understand what had happened. However, after further reflection and drawing on her experience in hospice care, Jennifer decided it was crucial for Charlie and Bailey to have closure, just as human families do.
On March 24, Jennifer filmed a poignant video where she held Munckin in her lap as her two other dogs, Charlie and Bailey, were allowed to say their farewells. Charlie, sensing the gravity of the situation, became visibly calm and tried to wake Munckin by tapping her head, while Bailey placed her paw on Charlie to comfort him. In the video, the dogs’ individual responses to the loss were clear, with Charlie attempting to rouse Munckin, while Bailey simply seemed to understand the situation immediately.
“I didn’t want them to think that I took her and didn’t bring her back,” Jennifer explained, adding that the moment was filmed not only as a keepsake but also to show others the importance of allowing pets to say goodbye to their lost companions.
The video quickly went viral, with over 4.8 million views on TikTok. Many viewers expressed appreciation for Jennifer’s decision, commenting on how vital it is for pets, as pack animals, to process the loss of a family member. “This is one of the sweetest, most compassionate things I’ve seen a pet owner do,” one viewer wrote, while another added, “Animals have to grieve too. I’m so glad you gave them a chance to say goodbye.”
Jennifer’s heartwarming gesture has struck a chord with countless pet owners, reminding them of the emotional needs of their animals during times of loss. Through her TikTok post, Jennifer has helped normalize the grieving process for pets, encouraging others to be mindful of their animals’ emotions in difficult moments.