A family left grieving after one of their dogs died from cancer decided to commemorate him with a photo in the hall, but they weren’t prepared for the reaction from his canine brother.
Owner Hilary Calton told Newsweek via email that the family welcomed home their two Boerboel dogs, Maximus and Morpheus, in 2021. Maximus came home first, but when they learned his littermate was available, they brought him home as well, and the two had a touching, viral reunion.
“They became inseparable immediately, but only in the healthiest of ways,” she said. “They did everything together. From the moment they woke up, snuggled up together, they would wander into our company. One stretched, the other copied. One trotted across the house, the other would follow. Velcro dogs with us and each other.”
But devastating news hit the family in summer 2024, when Morpheus was diagnosed with cancer. Calton said the family opted for surgery to give him the best chance at a full life. He went on to live for over a year, and they cherished the moments together. Then his tumors returned, and he went downhill fast. He died on February 4 in the comfort of their home.
His premature passing at age 5 hit the entire family, but especially Maximus. In a March 6 Instagram video posted by @maximusandmorpheusbb, Calton found Maximus staring at the hallway photo of Morpheus. He wouldn’t take his eyes off his brother, and the spot quickly became his new favorite place to sleep, under the watchful eyes of Morpheus.
“Devastation is the only word that can come close to how we have felt losing Morpheus,” she said. “He was the epitome of the term ‘gentle giant.’ He was training to be a Children’s Hospital dog, unfortunately, a dream that wasn’t able to be fulfilled.”
After Morpheus died, Maximus moved through the home differently. He wandered into Morpheus’ usual spots around the house, checking for him. It took him about four days to start eating again. The house felt emptier for the entire family.
Seeing him struggle, the family adjusted routines to help Maximus with the grieving process.
Just like people, dogs grieve when a companion passes. After Morpheus died, the Caltons focused on giving Maximus comfort and routine, ensuring he had extra walks, playtime and a cozy spot near his brother’s photo. They have made themselves available to him day and night.
Some products, like a comfy dog bed, calming treats or an anxiety wrap, can also help dogs feel secure and supported during tough times. Providing reassurance and consistent attention can make a big difference for a grieving pup, like it did for Maximus.
Just as the family has been helping Maximus, he’s been helping them. Calton said: “When I’m hurting, he seems to sense it in ways that don’t require words. That presence alone makes me feel less alone in the middle of this loss.”
Calton said the portrait of Morpheus was her husband’s idea, and they placed it outside their son’s room so the entire family could still feel close to him. As an observant dog, Maximus immediately recognized his brother’s face. Calton said she cried the first time she saw him sleeping under the photo, and now a dog bed sits nearby so he can feel comforted by Morpheus watching over him.
“Maybe one day, when the time is right, we’ll be able to consider another companion for Maximus,” she said. “But no matter what, Morpheus will never be forgotten or replaced.”
Viewers Empathize Over Pet Loss
Calton said messages from followers have helped the family grieve, as they’ve shared not only their condolences but also their understanding on the difficulty of losing a pet. As of Monday, the Instagram clip reached over 88,100 views and 324 comments.
“Oh, this makes my heart hurt, sweet boy. Now you can see your brother every day again,” wrote a viewer.
Another said: “So beautiful their bond and he knows what the pic is.”
A third person commented. “I’m glad he has a place where he can be at peace knowing Morpheus is with him.”
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.
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