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By Liz O'Connell
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A video of a dog using a specific, tiny bed, five months after his sibling passed, left viewers sobbing.
Archer, a yellow Labrador, and 15-pound rescue dog Niko were inseparable, with everyone referring to the duo as "The Boys," their owner, Natalie, told Newsweek. From the moment she brought home Archer, Niko took him under his wing. The two stuck together like glue.
"Despite the size difference, Niko was definitely the boss," she said. "He had a huge personality and was the one who taught Archer everything. Even protecting him at the dog park."
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In March of this year, Niko passed at age 12, leaving the family devastated, especially Archer. The only way Archer could find comfort would be through items that smell like Niko—blankets, beds, his old dog leash.
She shared in a July 16 TikTok video on her account @thebetchreport how five months after the dog's passing, Archer still uses Niko's bed. He doesn't care that his large body is much too big for the tiny bed; Archer curls up on it every night.
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"When he's not by our side, we usually find him curled up in Niko's old bed, like he's still trying to be close to him," Natalie said. "Because of this, we haven't washed any of Niko's items so that Archer can still feel close to him."
Because of the emotional attachments canines form, they can experience grief when someone they love, including other pets, passes away, according to the American Kennel Club. However, they may not fully comprehend the concept of death. They, instead, might believe their loved one is missing.
Dogs can exhibit one or more symptoms of grief, including withdrawal from people and pets, lack of appetite, lethargy, unusual aggression or destructive behaviors, searching for a companion dog, increased vocalization or becoming clingy. These signs should not be punished harshly. Owners should reassure their dogs with love and praise.
"He didn't just lose his brother, he lost his best friend and the one who taught him everything he knows," Natalie said.
Heartbroken, TikTok users flooded the video with their hopes that Archer heals, and as of Tuesday, the clip reached over 577,000 views.
"Animals mourn too. Rip, little guy. Sorry for your loss," wrote one viewer.
Another commenter recommended: "Don't wash it. Let his brother smell the memories."
Natalie shared in the comment section that she believes Archer especially missed his brother in this moment, noting how sad he looked. Otherwise, he still wags his tail and is adjusting to a new normal without his brother.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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