Brindle, that was once a bright-eyed playful dog, fell into a deep depression after his dad had to travel overseas. Unable to bear seeing the sad dog heartbroken, his owners hatched a wonderful surprise.
Welcome to the Family
Brindle was only a puppy when he became a part of JD and Rachel Aument’s family. The couple found the sweet yet sad dog in a shelter and took him back home to Pennsylvania.
Brindle quickly adjusted to his new life with his beloved family. He swiftly became best friends with his pawrents’ other pooch, Xander. He is very fond of his owners, especially JD, with whom he shares a deep bond with.
A Sudden Farewell
In 2018, Brindle’s dad, who was a firefighter in the Army Reserves, was deployed overseas. JD’s departure left the pooch heartbroken.
Both of them were inseparable for years and they spent a lot of time together. The sad dog wasn’t ready to say good-bye to his closest human companion, even if their separation was only temporary.
Dog lovers often ask: “How do you know if a dog is sad?” “What do dogs do when they are sad?” When a pooch is feeling down, he becomes despondent and there will be changes in his sleep patterns or eating patterns. Some sad dogs tend to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
In the case of Brindle, Rachel shared that the pooch showed signs of depression. Sometimes, he would just sit in front of the window crying. He was looking for any sign of JD, but as weeks passed, he never did, which made the sad dog feeling inconsolable each day.
It was tough for Brindle’s brother, Xander, too. However, since the other dog is more bonded with Rachel, he was able to bounce back quickly compared to Brindle.
Bringing Back Their Sad Dog’s Sunny Nature
When March 2019 came around, Brindle was still missing his human dad greatly. Rachel, who frequently saw the sad dog’s emotional state, called JD and told him that their beloved pooch was having a hard time.
JD wanted to dispel his pup’s sadness, so he quickly came up with a brilliant idea. He prepared a token of love for his precious pooch to send back home through mail: an unwashed shirt that bears his scent.
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When Brindle received his present from Rachel, his tail began wagging nonstop and he kept rubbing his body on the shirt. Brindle rolling over and snuggling the piece of clothing with his dad’s scent made Rachel shed a few tears. She said, ‘He immediately knew that it was JD’s shirt. There was no doubt about it.’ To commemorate this heart-warming moment, Rachel recorded their sad dog’s sweet reaction.
Keeping His Dad’s Memento Close
Rachel knew that Brindle cannot bear to be away from the shirt. The sad dog carried the shirt to bed with him after the video. He even slept with it the rest of the day. So instead of letting him carry it around in his mouth all the time, Rachel made him wear it.
She shared that Brindle felt a little abandoned when JD left. The shirt helped him cope and reassured him that his dad loves him and is coming back. Now, the sad dog is back to his old self, thanks to his dad’s shirt.
Sad Dog Finally Reunites With His Dad
Brindle did not have to wait long to see his dad again. In May 2019, JD came home from his deployment and his furbaby was overjoyed to see him. The sad dog immediately brightened up and jumped up and down with glee when he walked in the door and followed him wherever he went.
Rachel posted the video capturing Brindle’s reaction to the shirt on Facebook. It swiftly became a hit with over 600,000 views. Countless people were touched by how the sweet, loving dog cherished his dad so much.
What To Do If Stuck in the Same Situation
How do you cheer up a sad dog if both of you are miles apart? Follow JD’s example. Send your furry pal clothing or a blanket marked with your scent. His keen sense of smell will recognize the familiar scent, which helps him feel less lonely.
Try out these other ways to comfort your sad dog when you’re far away:
- Before you travel, find a reliable pet sitter for your pooch. It would be best if it’s someone well-acquainted with him, such as a friend or family member as he is likely to feel at ease around them.
If this is not feasible, ask for pet sitter referrals from your family, friends, or neighbour. Or you can check the National Association for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers (NARPS) to find one. Set up a play date so you will know if potential candidates genuinely care for your dog. - Spend some time with your dog through video conferencing. Canines feel at ease when there’s a set routine, so schedule your calls at regular intervals.
- Check-in with the pet sitter daily. Make sure they take your sad dog on regular walks and give him ample amounts of playtime. Exercise and stimulation help ward off his loneliness brought by your absence.
- Music is proven to help improve the mood of canines. So, why not create a playlist for your sad dog? Choose reggae and soft rock music since these tunes show the highest positive changes in behaviour.
If your sad dog’s condition fails to improve even after implementing these methods, call the vet and schedule an examination to make sure he isn’t suffering from a physical illness.
Consider consulting a dog trainer or animal behaviourist if his medical results are normal. They will assist you in figuring out ways to let your dog get used to your absence.
