Tears for Dog Separated From Sibling After Owners Break-Up: ‘Toughest Part’

A woman has shared how her breakup not only separated her and her partner, but also divided their two dogs, Larry and Russell.
Abby Belin from Calgary, Alberta, shared how whenever her Mastiff and St. Bernard cross, Larry, sees a dachshund on a walk, he always does a double take, missing his old friend, Russell, the dachshund who belonged to Belin’s ex.
Adopted in May 2023, Larry spent six months living with the couple and mini dachshund, Russell. The pair had an interesting dynamic—while Larry was large, drool-prone, and full of energy, Russell was the one who ruled the household with a small but commanding presence. Despite Russell’s initial indifference, the two dogs became an inseparable part of each other’s daily lives.
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“Larry and Russell were together daily from May to November and then saw each other occasionally until May 2024, when my ex and I severed contact,” Belin told Newsweek.
Since the breakup, Larry has become Belin’s constant companion, even accompanying her to work, where he’s made numerous human friends. Yet, one noticeable change has been Larry’s newfound fascination with dachshunds—he eagerly watches them whenever they cross his path, a subtle sign of missing his old friend Russell.
Belin has been using TikTok as an outlet to process her emotions post-breakup, but when she shared Larry’s new dachshund obsession, she wasn’t expecting the response as the video gained more than 1.7 million views.
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In the comments, many shared their reactions. Like Crystal who wrote: “I didn’t need a reason to cry today,” or Lindsay who wrote: “Well that’s heartbreakingly sad.”
“The reaction to the video has been mixed for me. I never expected it to become so popular, and with that popularity came some negativity. While the comments mostly centered around how ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘sad’ the situation seemed, the toughest part was seeing long threads of people criticizing us for separating the dogs,” Belin said.
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Some even suggested that the couple should have kept the dogs together after their breakup rather than separating them. However, Belin explained that while the decision was difficult, she stands by it.
“It’s definitely challenging to receive negative feedback, especially when you’re being vulnerable and sharing real aspects of your life,” Belin shared. “It’s not easy to see Larry looking sad in that video, but it doesn’t change the fact that it was the right decision for everyone involved.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Belin hopes her story will encourage others to think carefully about their pets’ futures in similar situations.
“Larry had already been rehomed once before, and I was determined not to let that happen again,” Belin explained, reflecting on her bond with Larry. “I’m happy that the video resonated with folks. It was amazing to share a moment of my life that connected with others.”
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.