Hearts Melt at How Dog With Dementia Reacts to Owner Calling Her Name

A senior dog with dementia has moved viewers on social media with her sweet reaction after hearing her owner call her nickname to let her know she is around.

In a post shared on TikTok earlier in March, under the username spunkyandfriends, the long-haired Chihuahua called Spunky can be seen standing still in the yard, as if feeling lost. Her owner then decides to call her name to let her know that she's right by her.

As soon as she hears her mom call her nickname, Bubbash, she instantly recognizes that it's her and starts waving her tail enthusiastically, feeling reassured that she's not lost and surely not alone.

The caption explains: "My senior pup with dementia sometimes gets lost so I call her name to let her know I'm nearby. Her tail."

As with humans, dementia in dogs is characterized by a gradual decline in their cognitive abilities. Known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, this condition can start showing in dogs from about 8 to 9 years old.

The most common symptoms of dog dementia include disorientation and confusion, changes in your pup's usual sleeping patterns, loss of appetite, potty accidents and other types of behavioral changes, according to Preventive Vet.

The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 446,600 views and 78,000 likes on the platform.

One user, Delilah, commented: "How sweet it is to keep your mom your entire life."

Lazy Sea Witch said: "There's mum. I am safe," while dubshoteslv added: "I'm going through the same thing with my pup. This is very helpful."

Bobby & Murph wrote: "It's hard seeing them get old but it's also the most I've ever felt love for my past dog."

And user7627524573443 said: "Oh, you're such a good mommy. I went through this recently with my 15-year-old. Yorky bless her heart she would get lost in the backyard and I'd be right behind her making sure she made it back inside."

Another user, miaeilis, commented: "It's so hard watching them get old. My girl is 14 now and we have to do similar for her."

And richmami4 wrote: "She will always remember everything you've done for her, even now if she can't remember cause deep down she knows!!! sending love & deep hugs to you & your baby!!!"

Newsweek reached out to spunkyandfriends for comment via TikTok comments and could not verify the details of the case.

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