🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
A video of a 94-year-old grandma singing to her "very special" canine companion has captured the hearts of users on Reddit.
The viral clip, which had 24,000 upvotes since it was posted two days ago on Reddit by user Chewythenewfie, was captured last Saturday at the grandmother's home, the original poster Amy, who only shared her first name, told Newsweek.
The U.S.-based Redditor said her 1 ½-year-old Newfoundland dog Chewy shares "a very special bond" with her grandmother, who just turned 94 on October 21.
She said: "They are best friends and I bring him over to visit her just about every day."
The viral clip shows the poster's grandma singing the words of "White Christmas," the famed holiday tune, while standing in her kitchen. She is seen caressing the dog's head while singing and looking down at him.
The close relationship between Chewy and the grandmother in the latest Reddit post makes sense because canine companionships take on a "particular significance" for senior people, noted an August 2019 study in the International Journal of Community Well-Being.
"Beyond the many positive physical, emotional, and social benefits dogs provide older adults, is the relationship that exists between senior people and their dogs. Seniors, who have deep attachment to their dogs, think of their dogs as cherished family members rather than as animals with benefits," the study said.
The dog's apparent calm stance in the clip is also not surprising as music can be relaxing for canines.
Recent research has shown that "playing music reduces stress in dogs at animal shelters, with less barking, lower respiratory rates, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol," explained certified dog trainer Cathy Madson in an article for Preventive Vet, a pet education website run by a team of veterinarians and other pet experts, that was updated in November 2022.
In a March 2017 study in Physiology & Behavior, classical music was shown to "reduce stress in kenneled dogs."
The dogs in the study were found to "spend significantly more time lying and significantly less time standing when music was played, regardless of genre."
But the dogs' heart rate variability (HRV) was found to be "significantly higher, indicative of decreased stress" when soft rock and reggae music was played for them.
'Doggo Clearly Loves Grandma'
The latest viral video has melted the hearts of users on Reddit.
User AfterBill8630 said "Doggo clearly loves grandma" and the original poster replied "he's so good with her—despite how big he is!"
SubstantialPressure3 wrote "He knows he's the grandpuppy" and the original poster said the pup is "spoiled."
PsychologicalRide369 said: "That is lovely! A beautiful grandmother and a sweet dog."
Redditor cappinbuck wrote: "He loves her soooo much! This makes me so happy for some reason lol."
CantaloupeWhich8484 noted: "She has a fantastic voice and she's in great shape for 94. Just winning, all around."
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.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more