A grieving pet owner has shared a video of the moment she came face-to-face with her late dog’s “doppelganger” and revealed what she did next.
When Liv Ruby’s beloved dog Alfie passed away in August 2024, she was bereft. “It was, emotionally, one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure,” Ruby told Newsweek. “His quality of life and overall health had been declining drastically, and unfortunately the decision to humanely euthanize was made by myself under the counsel of his vet.”
Mourning a Dog
Almost any dog owner will tell you the death of a four-legged friend isn’t just the loss of a pet, but rather a family member. It stands to reason then that these dog owners end up mourning these losses for an extended period of time.
In 2022, a large systematic narrative review published in OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying found that many dog owners experience grief intensity comparable to bereavement following the death of a close human relationship. Common reactions include sadness, anxiety, guilt, intrusive thoughts, loneliness, and trauma‑like symptoms.
Ruby experiences the gamut of emotions after Alfie died. His passing left a huge void in her day-to-day existence. “My life revolved around Alfie and his needs, so losing him was an adjustment,” she said.
A whole year on from Alfie’s death, Ruby found herself scrolling through social media when she came across a post that she says “stopped me in my tracks.” It centered on a shelter dog by the name of Tiny. As soon as Ruby saw Tiny’s face, she felt a sense of familiarity.
“His face reminded me so much of Alfie,” she said. Then she noticed something else. Tiny was at Fort Worth Animal Care and Control. “The same shelter I got Alfie from,” Ruby said.
At Risk
Suddenly, after a year with no dogs in her life, Ruby swung into action. “I contacted my friends at CAMO Rescue in Houston and told them if they ‘pulled’ Tiny in, I would foster,” she said.
Ruby knew that, due to his age and dental health, Tiny was potentially at risk of euthanasia.
After getting the green light from CAMO, she drove from Houston to Fort Worth to meet Tiny. That first encounter and some of those that have followed since were captured in a video posted to TikTok by Ruby under the handle @rainbowbrighttt.
It captures the moment Ruby met Alfie’s “doppelganger” for the first time and what she did next. Though Tiny is a senior dog, his life prior to the shelter is a mystery. “All I know is he was picked up as a stray a month or so prior to him coming home with me,” Ruby said.
The good news is that Tiny is thriving now, having been adopted by Ruby and is showing no signs of slowing down, despite his advancing years. “Tiny is going soooo well! He had a dental cleaning and now is the proud owner of four teeth,” Ruby said. “He is the bossiest little dog I’ve ever met, with a major attitude. He goes with me everywhere, even to work everyday.”
It’s a remarkable turnaround and reminder of what can happen when you open your heart to new possibilities.
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