A pet parent setting foot into her old house one last time was not prepared for her canine’s emotional reaction.
Amber Aquart, an animal behaviorist known on Instagram as @whiskeytoller, recently started the moving process, which includes constant back and forth, ensuring everything is out of the old place and into the new one. During her last walk-through of her old home, she brought her dogs to say their final goodbyes. But one dog, Whiskey, took it especially hard.
Whiskey began crying at the sight of the empty home. In Aquart’s June 24 video, Whiskey hesitantly walked through the home, unsure what to think without the furniture and familiar scents of her family. She wouldn’t stop going to the basement door, whining to be let down.
The video said the basement was the dog’s favorite part of the home. She circled the room, sniffing the floors in search of her items. Aquart thought she seemed confused, even as she tried comforting Whiskey and explaining to her that all her favorite things would be in the new home.
Aquart wrote in the comment section: “I didn’t expect them to care much since we’ve always traveled with them…I didn’t expect her to react this way at all.”
Moving With Pets
Moving can be stressful between the packing, cleaning and unpacking. Add a pet into the mix, and it becomes a whole new set of logistics. In a pet’s mind, they’re leaving their territory and the chaos of moving can disrupt their schedule, which is why sticking to a routine is especially important during a move, according to an article from Purina.
Owners should maintain a pet’s schedule of meals, playing and bedtime as much as possible. Those moving with a dog should consider walking their dog in the new neighborhood to familiarize themselves with the scents. The article suggested keeping them involved in the packing process. They will be able to investigate the activity, and hopefully lead to a reduction in stress.
Viewer Reactions
The Instagram video reached over 598,000 views and 28,685 likes as of Tuesday, with viewers sobbing over Whiskey’s heartbreaking reaction.
“This made my heart hurt. Show her her new house immediately, please,” one viewer wrote.
Another added: “Congrats on the new house. Dogs are like toddlers, in which they will take a bit to get used to the new house, but they’ll get through it.”
A third user said: “Aww, Whiskey is absolutely such a sweetheart she will be so excited at your new house.”
Newsweek reached out to @whiskeytoller via email for additional comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.