Heartwarming Moments: How Dogs Can Sense Our Emotions

Dogs can be incredibly goofy at times, but don't be fooled by their silly antics, because they're also incredibly intuitive (when they want to be). One owner has melted hearts after revealing her dog's precious reaction as soon as he realized she was upset. This heartwarming story showcases the emotional bond between pets and their owners, highlighting how dogs can sense our feelings and respond in ways that truly comfort us.

Whenever TikTok user Kat Braden is feeling low, her goldendoodle, named Oliver, is never far away to help make her feel better. The moment he saw that his beloved owner was unhappy, Oliver's demeanor instantly changed and the thought of playing went out the window—all he cared about was cheering Braden up. Having Oliver cuddle her provided some instant relief for Braden, who told Newsweek that he is always "a big support, and he makes any bad situation 10 times better."

Braden, from Utah, often shares videos of her daily life with Oliver, aged 3, on their TikTok account (@agirlandadoodle), much to the delight of her followers. But this time, she wanted to share a more vulnerable side and highlight just how instinctive pets can be. The clip of Oliver comforting her has already been viewed more than 8.1 million times and has received over 1.6 million likes at the time of writing.

"I had a rough morning and was feeling emotional. Oliver was in the other room, so I called him in," she told Newsweek. "As soon as he saw that I'd been crying, his ears went up and he had a concerned look in his eye. It was cool to catch it on video because normally I wouldn't film something like that."

Many owners will feel they have a one-in-a-million connection with their pup; they are man's best friend for a reason. But dogs don't just understand certain commands or words, as VCA Animal Hospitals suggests they can also pick up on our moods and emotions. If their owner is nervous, sad, or excited, a dog will likely pick up on their movements and cues and respond to the situation.

They may not understand every emotion we're feeling. VCA Animal Hospitals adds that the wider variety of emotions that they're exposed to, the closer the relationship can become.

Oliver is certainly happy to be there for Braden through every high and low, as she wrote alongside her adorable TikTok video that "they always know." Whether it's a cuddle on the sofa or bringing you their favorite toy, dogs will try their best to brighten anyone's mood.

With more than 2,500 comments on the post so far, many people praised Oliver's adorable way of sensing how Braden was feeling. One comment reads: "how the look in his eyes changed when he noticed."

Other dog owners shared their own similar experiences, as another person responded: "My golden doodle was by my side and hugging me when my mom died. Couldn't have done it without her."

But not every pooch is so thoughtful, as one unhappy TikTok user said: "My dog runs away when I cry."

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.