🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
A viral video of an elderly Chihuahua who still grooms her sons has been melting hearts online.
The video, shared by @emyzee, has more than 107,000 views on TikTok. It shows 16-year-old Chihuahua Bella popping into the frame to clean up her 14-year-old son, Ciroc.
The dogs live at House With a Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Bella and her sons, Ciroc and Hudson, had a dramatic journey to their new forever home at the sanctuary.
@emyzee I was just tryin to get a cute vid of ciroc but mom had other plans #fyp #foryourpage #foryoupage #foryou #seniorpetsanctuary #dogs #petdog #seniorpet #seniordogs #olddog #chihuahua
♬ original sound - Emily
They always lived together, but lost their home when their owner died. They were scheduled for euthanasia when someone called House with a Heart to see if they would take them. With just hours to spare, they made room for all three senior pups.
Established in 2006 by Sher Polvinale, House With a Heart provides a loving home for senior and special needs dogs and cats who have lost their families through illness or death.
Animals at the sanctuary have a safe home environment complete with secure outdoor yards and grassy fields.
While many dogs will be separated from their puppies, those who stay with their litter will often form strong bonds with offspring.
Some dogs will want to be separated from their litter, while others who are separated will still recognize their parents even years later. Like golden retriever Arlo, who got to visit his mom after almost two years in an adorable reunion.
TikToker Emily who shared the video works at the shelter, and in the text overlay on the video said: "POV: You work at a senior pet sanctuary with a Chihuahua family and the mom still cleans her sons regularly."
In the comments, people were delighted by the canine bond.
Kevin said: "Chihuahuas are so underrated."
The Chihuahua was first recognized as a breed by the Americal Kennel Club (AKC) in 1904, and today it's listed as the 34th-most popular breed in the U.S. Loved for their loyalty, charm and big-dog energy, they often rule their households.
Another fan of the breed, viewer Maris, wrote: "Old Chihuahuas are so sweet."
"The vibes here are wonderful," added TikToker Shey.
Other viewers were quick to share their jealousy over Emily's job at the sanctuary: "Ok so this is actually my dream job," said Alex.
While TheOgDanky wrote: "How do I get this job?"
Newsweek reached out to @emyzee for comment via TikTok.
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
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more