A touching moment between a senior dog and her owner has captured the hearts of millions online, proving that love doesn’t require sight or sound to be deeply felt.
The viral TikTok video, posted by user @ashleyjanssen, shows 13-year-old Mama Nikita, a deaf Malamute mix, lying peacefully on a grassy lawn, unaware that her owner is nearby.
The text layered over the clip reads: “wait to see my 13-year-old deaf sweet girl smell my sweat and that I’m nearby.” Moments later, Mama Nikita stirs, sniffs the air, and smiles sweetly as she recognizes her beloved owner walking toward her.
The heartwarming clip shared on June 15 has more than 1.4 million views and racked up over 178,000 likes, with thousands of users touched by the loyal pup’s gentle spirit and joyful expression.
Though Mama Nikita can no longer hear or see, it is clear she still shares an unbreakable bond with her human. Research backs up the emotional richness of these connections.
A study from the Department of Psychology at Illinois State University compared dogs with hearing and/or vision impairments (HVI) to those with normal hearing and vision (NHV), using owner-reported behavior surveys. It found that, while HVI dogs tend to be calmer—showing less aggression, excitement, and inclination toward typical behaviors like chasing animals or rolling in feces—they may also be more prone to challenges such as chewing inappropriate objects, excessive barking, licking, and eating feces.
Training methods also differ, with HVI dog owners more likely to use hand signals or physical cues, while NHV dog owners often rely on simple gestures or no formal commands. Still, the research highlights that dogs with sensory impairments are just as capable of being loving, trainable companions—given the right care and commitment.
Stock image: A husky lays on grass.
Tahir YILDIZ/iStock / Getty Images Plus
TikTok Reacts
While many viewers were moved by the moment, some expressed concern over Mama Nikita lying outside in the heat. Janssen addressed the worries in the comments, explaining that the dog has a shed with air conditioning to rest in during hotter weather.
“Everyone is so concerned but doesn’t realize there are dogs literally chained in a yard with no food or water,” one commenter wrote. “I’ve raised huskies all my life, in Florida mind you, and they’ve lived happy full lives. All my huskies have wanted to sunbathe every day. They’re adaptable animals. This husky is loved and cared for.”
Another viewer highlighted the joy in Mama Nikita’s reaction: “The way she said ‘hi momma,'” to which Janssen responded, “She always has a smile on her face.”
A third added: “The way she smiled at you when she saw you. There is no greater feeling than when a dog chooses you as their person. YOU, are clearly hers!! Dogs are the secret to life!”
Newsweek reached out to @ashleyjanssen for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
