Fundraiser Started For Duluth Area Dog Critically Injured From Porcupine Encounter

Dog Makes Unconventional Best Friend—But It Doesn't Last Long

A video showing the abrupt end of a dog's time with her "emotional support" best friend has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was posted by @andreal.Corbin and has had 18.3 million views since it was shared on March 19. A caption shared with the post read: "Can't let Ili's second birthday go by without this."

The footage shows a dog playing around with a balloon on a string while lying on a couch. A message overlaid on the video said: "That day my puppy had a balloon for a best friend till it met an untimely end."

The pup is later seen on the floor holding the balloon between her paws before placing it near her teeth, at which point the balloon suddenly pops. The canine is seen looking around, appearing bewildered by the balloon seemingly vanishing.

The dog in the latest clip is a rescue puppy that had an "emotional support balloon," according to another video from the poster. The dog is "mostly gsd [German shepherd], Aussie, husky, and heeler," the poster said in a later comment in that video.

It's unknown exactly why the pup was inseparable from her emotional support balloon. But her attachment could be down to a novelty factor, according to a November 2012 study conducted on Labrador retrievers.

The study, published in Animal Cognition, said "domestic dogs are reported to show intense but transient neophilia [a love for all things new] towards novel objects."

The study found that "loss of interest in the object during object-orientated play in this species is due to habituation to the overall stimulus properties of the toy rather than to any single sensory modality..."

In an article for VCA, one of North America's largest animal hospital chains, veterinarians Debra Horwitz and Gary Landsberg wrote: "Novel and highly desirable objects, such as a tissue that has been stolen from a garbage can, a favorite toy, human food, or a piece of rawhide are some of the items that dogs may aggressively protect."

'So Confused'

In the comments, Sarah said: "That was an emotional support balloon until the end." The original poster replied: "Then it betrayed her."

Tolsmir said the pup must have thought "The heck?! Where'd my friend go?" and the original poster replied: "She was so confused."

Jedinoob42 agreed, noting the dog "literally thought her friend just vanished."

Holly K said: "That ending! It's like the raccoon that tried to wash her cotton candy!"

Moxie noted: "I have NEVER seen a dog play with a balloon like that! That breed is SO smart! She can be redirected when she bites at the balloon so she can learn to keep it forever!"

"She should have balloons everyday of her life! This is the most wholesome and adorable thing I've ever seen. And she is SO smart, too!," melissab5211 also noted.

Me55ica agreed, saying "This dog is so smart. I know children who couldn't even comprehend grabbing the string."

Jon McEwen wrote: "I would immediately get her 10 more balloons because of those sad eyes."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and email. This video has not been independently verified.

A stock image of a dog walking on grass with a balloon on a string tied around its neck. A video of the "untimely end" of a dog's friendship with an "emotional support" balloon has... A stock image of a dog walking on grass with a balloon on a string tied around its neck. A video of the "untimely end" of a dog's friendship with an "emotional support" balloon has gone viral on TikTok. More iStock / Getty Images Plus

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.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Pawsome News: Van Leeuwen And Ollie Just Released Ice Cream For Dogs

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Dog owners know that their pups aren't just pets―they're family and we treat them as such. Take Alex Drummond, for instance. She threw her dog George a first birthday party complete with a canine-friendly cake and even got him a splash pad last year to keep that floof cool in the Dallas summer heat.

If you're in the Alex camp of catering to your furry child's every whim, then you're gonna love the coolest news from trendy ice cream company Van Leeuwen: They've teamed up with fresh d0g food brand Ollie to offer a limited-edition, first-ever dog ice cream! And it's available right now just as the weather is finally getting warm.

Van Leeuwen

Starting this week, the signature peanut butter and banana non-dairy ice cream will be available in Van Leeuwen locations across the U.S. (Psst, Alex: That includes Dallas!) It will also be available to current Ollie customers to add to their cart. And if you aren't one yet, you get a free pint when you subscribe from June 3 to 13. Lastly, you can buy it online at Petco and pick up in store.

Oh! And if you happen to live near New York, Los Angeles, or San Diego, there will be a few ice cream truck events coming in June and July. They will be serving free ice cream for both humans and dogs, so everyone can beat the heat with a sweet treat. Be sure to check out the list here for more details.

Van Leeuwen

No matter where you decide to snag a pint, you'll can expect the same high-quality, human-grade standards that both Van Leeuwen and Ollie are known for. The new ice cream is equal parts sweet and salty, featuring swirls of peanut butter in a banana, coconut cream, and oat milk base that will even have the humans drooling and begging for a lick.

We're not sure how long supplies will last. But knowing how quickly Van Leeuwen new releases sell out, we're sure customers will be well... Like a dog with a bone. So go grab your pup a cup and be the coolest dog parent there is this summer!

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World's Oldest Dog Celebrates 31st Birthday, According To Guinness World Records

CONQUEIROS, Portugal -- The world's oldest dog recently celebrated his 31st birthday, according to Guinness World Records.

Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog, celebrated during a party Saturday at his home in the Portuguese village of Conqueiros, where has lived his entire life.

More than 100 people attended the "very traditional" Portuguese party, owner Leonel Costa said.

Local meats and fish were served to up to 100 guests, with extra for Bobi, who only eats human food. A dance troupe also performed with Bobi participating in one of their routines.

Costa has owned several old-age dogs in the past, including Bobi's mother, Gira, who lived to age 18. However, Costa said he never imagined any of his dogs would reach their 30s.

"We see situations like this as a normal result of the life that they have, but Bobi is one of a kind," Costa said.

One of the biggest contributing factors to Bobi's longevity is the "calm, peaceful environment" in which he lives, according to Costa.

Throughout his life, Bobi has freely roamed the forests surrounding the Costa house. He has never been chained or leashed.

The "very sociable" dog was never lonely because he grew up surrounded by many other animals, Costa said.

Now in his senior years, Bobi finds it difficult to walk, so he prefers to hang out at home in the yard. His eyesight has gotten worse, meaning he often bumps into things when he walks. Just like old-age humans, Bobi sleeps a lot. He immediately lies down in bed after eating, although on cold days he chooses to nap by the fire, his owner said.

Bobi's birth date has been confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria, which registered Bobi in 1992.

His age also has been verified by a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government.

Costa, now 38, was just 8 years old when Bobi was born. For him, Bobi is a living reminder of the past, he said.

"Bobi is special because looking at him is like remembering the people who were part of our family and unfortunately are no longer here, like my father, my brother, or my grandparents who have already left this world," Costa said. "Bobi represents those generations."

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