Golden Retriever's Sweet Welcome Home for Mom After Hospital Stay Is Melting Hearts
Our dogs become very familiar with our routines. They always seem to know which days we go to work and what time we come home. Many are more reliable than alarm clocks for getting up in the morning and going to bed each night. The loyalty and bond we share can make it very difficult to leave them behind. However, situations like serving in the military, traveling for work, or dealing with an illness that results in an extended hospital stay can sometimes keep us apart. Although it may break our hearts to see our dogs missing us, how they greet us when we return home can make us whole again.
Watch the warm homecoming between a Golden Retriever and her human in a video shared on July 27:
A post shared by Sunday | Not Your Typical Golden Retriever (@sundaythegoldenretriever)
If this story doesn’t touch your heart, nothing will. Sunday (@sundaythegoldenretriever), a sweet Golden Retriever, is finally happy again now that her beloved mom is home from the hospital. Her mother explained that Sunday would stare out the window while she was gone, watching and waiting for her to return. Even though she was receiving plenty of love in her absence, she would express her sadness by moping around and burying her head between the couch cushions.
Mom even tried to make her days feel normal by FaceTiming her from the hospital to do their morning “Awoos.” Finally, the day arrived when Mom felt much better and could come home. As you might imagine, Sunday greeted her with overflowing excitement. Her happy cries, wiggles, and tail wags are genuinely touching. Once she received plenty of kisses and special hugs, she took off through the yard with an epic case of zoomies to highlight her joy.
Related: Elated Golden Retriever Runs Like the Wind to Greet Mom at Alaskan Airport
How To Help Dogs With Separation Anxiety
While most dogs will miss us no matter what we do, there are some ways to reduce separation anxiety. While some events can’t be planned for, when it comes to leaving for vacation, the ASPCA recommends keeping dogs on schedule as much as possible when we are gone. It’s also suggested that we help practice coming and going without making it a dramatic experience. Ensuring they have plenty of activity, exercise, and mental stimulation can also help keep them occupied while we’re away.
People understood this extraordinary connection. Viewer @scoutgoldenretriever responded, “This just touched my heart so much. Dogs are such pure examples of love. I’m happy you’re home and on the mend.” Yes, indeed. Viewer @becwiitanen shared, “My Golden Retriever did the same thing when I was in the hospital delivering my 3rd. I ended up with a C-section, so I was gone for 5 days. He kept searching for me and wouldn’t eat. When I got home, he gobbled his food & wouldn’t leave my side.” Their loyalty is unmatched.
This is a perfect example of why parents drive 14 hours to take their dog on vacation instead of a two-hour flight. Our time with them is so limited that it’s hard to leave them behind unless we have to.