A golden retriever has captured the hearts of internet viewers after he was the last dog left at day care.
In a viral video posted on TikTok by his owner, Meghan Bunger (@lifewithlincoln23), the 3-year-old pup, Lincoln, looked sad as he waited alone for her to come after his friends had all gone. The clip has amassed more than 143,000 likes and over 1.5 million views.
Bunger, 34, from Nashville, Tennessee, told Newsweek: “At first, I was devastated. It was like a knife to the heart; I felt like the worst mommy!
“The day care is open until 6 p.m., and I typically show up around 5:15 or 5:30, but I had a late call that day and arrived about 5:45 (I didn’t think I was that late!).
“But he seemed to forgive his mommy pretty quick as the girls gave him extra treats on his way out. He then proceeded to get a lot of extra love that night—and, of course, we had to have a pup cup the next day.”
In the touching footage, Lincoln bows his head in sorrow while Holly, a day-care worker (@holleys0_0) at the Pleasant View Pet Spa in Coopertown, Tennessee, wraps her arms around him, offering cuddles in an attempt to console the lonely pup. “When all your friends leave day care,” Bunger captioned the video.
Lincoln loves his day-care visits every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and he is well known for getting extra attention from the workers. “Lincoln also knows how to pull out the puppy eyes and get all the extra love,” Bunger said. “Not only had his friends left him, but, at the end of the day, they picked up the swimming pools he is obsessed with, so it was a double whammy for him that afternoon.”
Lincoln the golden retriever sits outside with Holly the handler. The dog’s sad reaction has melted viewers’ hearts online.
Pleasant View Pet Spa and Country Boarding/Pleasant View Pet Spa and Country Boarding
When Bunger finally arrived to pick him up, Lincoln’s mood instantly brightened. “The reunion was great! He was very happy to see his mommy and soaked up the moment. He pulled on mommy’s heartstrings all night.”
Unfortunately, Bunger said that she is moving to a suburb outside of Nashville and will need to find a new day care for Lincoln.
For pet owners looking for the perfect day care, it is important to consider factors such as staff-to-dog ratio, cleanliness, and how your dog’s needs will be met throughout the day.
To help ease a dog’s anxiety when starting day care, experts suggest introducing them gradually; bringing familiar items from home; and ensuring they have a safe space to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed.
The video of Lincoln’s lonely day sparked a flood of comments from fellow dog lovers, who empathized with his dramatic response.
“Stoooooppp because now I can never let my baby be last,” one commenter wrote.
“‘No I don’t need a hug, I’ll be fiiiine,'” posted another dog owner.
“Goldens are so dramatic and I love them,” another TikTok user added.
One user reflected on their own childhood experience: “Guess how I felt when I was the last one being picked up from school.”
“Looks right at the camera like ‘I know you’re seeing this,'” Fatima wrote, referencing Lincoln’s sad glance.
The overwhelming response to Lincoln’s viral moment has been a source of joy for Bunger. “The social-media response has been more than we ever could’ve imagined. To see all the love and support people have for our favorite furry friends is heartwarming.
“I also love that they followed up to make sure he got his puppuccino! We continue to be amazed by this! Lincoln doesn’t know what to do with all of the attention and is just hoping this means more treats in his future,” Bunger added.
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.
