A stock image of a large black dog and a small brown puppy sniffing each other.

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Alyce Collins

By Alyce Collins

Senior Reporter

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A senior dog refused to accept her new puppy sibling when they were first introduced—but you wouldn’t believe the bond they share now.

It’s safe to say that Pebbles the senior dog was incredibly displeased when her owners brought home a new puppy named Faye. Whenever Faye tried to approach Pebbles and interact, the black dog would instantly bare her teeth or refuse to acknowledge the small pup.

But it turns out that first impressions don’t last a lifetime after all, because the duo have gradually gone from enemies to besties.

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In a video posted on the senior dog’s dedicated TikTok account (@hiitsmepebbles), footage shows the frosty (and sometimes angry) reactions that Pebbles gave whenever Faye came near. But she’s warmed to her younger sister over time, and subsequent footage shows just how close they’ve gotten.

A stock image of a large black dog and a small brown puppy sniffing each other.

...

Now, the two dogs can be seen laying beside each other, snoozing together in the sun, playing gently. They’ve certainly come a long way since those initial encounters, and the internet can’t get enough.

In the days since the clip was shared online, it has gone viral with over 2.4 million views and more than 348,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.

Newsweek has contacted @hiitsmepebbles via TikTok for comment. We could not verify the details of the video.

Introducing a resident dog to a new puppy can definitely be challenging, but patience and positive reinforcement are vital. The American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests introducing both dogs in a neutral place and walking them round the yard together on separate leashes. That way, it can feel less like an invasion for the resident dog in their home.

Any growling or negative reactions shouldn’t be punished, as the dog is just showing their unhappiness. It’s also a good way for puppies to learn boundaries and what’s acceptable.

Owners shouldn’t expect both dogs to get along instantly. The AKC also recommends giving both dogs time away from each other and supervising all interactions they have. Positive behavior should always be rewarded as this will help to create good associations and show both dogs what is deemed acceptable.

The caption alongside the clip explains that Faye “wasn’t thrilled at first” about her new puppy sister. And yet, “now they are besties” without question—much to the delight of their owner (and the internet).

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View this video on TikTok

Despite the struggles of trying to get through to Pebbles, Faye did not give up trying. The video shows how she would often approach Pebbles and sometimes just lay beside her until the senior dog finally accepted her.

In the days since their friendship went viral, thousands of internet users have taken to the comments to praise their adorable bond, with more than 3,000 comments on the TikTok post since it was posted on November 26.

One comment reads: “That puppy said you are going to love me whether you like it or not.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “I've never seen a gentle pup before. He so gentle with his senior dog.”

Another person replied: “Faye really said ‘no personal space until you love me’.”

While one commenter added: “They are for sure best friends. So beautiful.”

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.

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