Touching footage of a Golden Retriever being reunited with his owner after three months apart has melted hearts.
Two-year-old pooch Hugo has become a sensation on social media, racking up 39,700 followers and over three million likes on TikTok since his owner, Alexandra Owens, began posting footage of the pup.
Personal trainer Owens was originally from the United Kingdom, but lives in Bondi, Sydney, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic had been unable to travel home for four years.
However after Australia opened their borders earlier this year, Owens was able to travel home and spent three months in the U.K. before returning home, sharing an adorable clip of herself reuniting with Hugo at the airport.
The footage, which has been viewed over three million times, shows Hugo entering the airport with balloons attached to his harness before noticing his owner and ecstatically running up to her.
The dog can be seen excitedly cuddling his owner while dramatically wagging his tail and licking her face while Owens bends down to embrace the pup.
The clip has racked up over 500,000 likes and over 2,400 comments, with users calling the moment “so wholesome” and saying they “would’ve been crying hysterically” if they’d seen the touching moment.
“He really didn’t stop! Freaking adorable… Now, don’t you ever leave him again,” said one user.
Another commented: “Every person in that place had a smile. Dogs are too good for this earth! They bring joy to everyone.”
“If his tail goes any faster he will have to ask the airport for permission to take off,” teased one user.
“Crying it’s so sweet how one amazing animal can brighten up a room,” wrote a fourth.
The pair were separated for three months, however, according to Dr. Mary Burch, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and American Kennel Club (AKC) Family Dog Director, while dogs have a sense of time, they probably lack a “concept of time.”
She previously told Newsweek: “For years, when I went on vacation, I would board my dogs. Being separated from the dogs I spoiled always the relaxing vacation for me.
“I spent a great deal of time worrying about what my dogs were thinking. ‘Is she coming back?’ ‘It’s been a week—this is horrible—how long do I have to stay here?’
“I told a well-respected veterinarian this, and she said it was her belief that dogs did not mark time. They had no idea when being boarded if they were there for three days or three weeks.
“In the long run, I don’t know if dogs mark three days or three weeks and most behaviorists will say the internal canine clock does not work like this.”
In the days following her return, Alexandra shared even more clips of her and Hugo’s heartwarming time together, giving her followers an inside look into the depth of their connection. In one video, Hugo is seen refusing to leave her side—even following her to the bathroom and resting his head on her lap whenever she sits down. Another shows the two cuddling on the couch, with Hugo’s head nestled in the crook of her neck as if to say, “I’m not letting you out of my sight again.”
Alexandra captioned one of the clips: “Three months felt like forever. But we’re finally back where we belong.” The comment section exploded with thousands of responses from fellow dog lovers, many of whom shared their own reunion stories with their pets.
One user wrote, “I was away for two weeks and my dog cried for a full hour when I got back. I can’t imagine three months. Hugo is such a sweet soul.” Another said, “This is why dogs are family. They never forget the people they love.”
Since the reunion, Hugo’s followers have more than doubled, and many say they return to Alexandra’s page daily just for their dose of wholesome content. Some fans have even gone as far as to send Hugo toys and treats through Alexandra’s P.O. box, calling him “the internet’s emotional support dog.”
But the reunion wasn’t just emotional for Hugo—it was deeply healing for Alexandra as well.
Speaking in a recent Q&A on TikTok, she opened up about how the past four years had been incredibly difficult, both emotionally and mentally. Being away from her family, navigating the challenges of a global pandemic, and then returning home only to leave again had taken a toll. “The one constant that got me through everything,” she said, “was Hugo. Even when I wasn’t physically near him, knowing he was waiting for me made it all bearable.”
Alexandra explained that during her trip to the U.K., Hugo was cared for by one of her close friends in Sydney, someone Hugo was already familiar with. “I made sure he was with someone he knew and loved,” she said. “But every video call I made while I was away, he would perk up at the sound of my voice. He always looked for me.”
This emotional intelligence in dogs like Hugo is not rare, according to Dr. Burch and other animal behaviorists. Dogs are incredibly attuned to the emotions of their humans and form attachments that can rival even human-to-human bonds.
Hugo’s story has since inspired others to speak out about the importance of animal companionship and how it helps with emotional wellbeing. Alexandra has received messages from people battling anxiety, depression, and loneliness—many of whom have found comfort in watching her journey with Hugo.
One fan wrote: “I’ve been struggling with anxiety and haven’t left the house in weeks. Watching you and Hugo has reminded me how much light a dog can bring into your life. I’m finally going to look into adopting.”
Others have praised Alexandra for being so open and honest about the realities of long-distance separation—not just from family, but from the animals we call family. “It’s not something people talk about much,” she said. “But being away from your pet can be heartbreaking. It’s like leaving behind a piece of your soul.”
Now reunited, Alexandra and Hugo have made the most of every day together. She often takes him on morning walks along Bondi Beach, letting him splash in the waves and greet fellow beachgoers with his ever-wagging tail. In one clip, Hugo joyfully chases seagulls, then sprints back to Alexandra, tongue lolling and eyes gleaming.
She’s also started a new video series titled “Hugo’s Happy Life,” documenting his daily adventures, from chasing bubbles in the park to visiting pet-friendly cafes and going on hikes. It’s a collection of moments that, while simple, speak volumes about healing, love, and the beauty of shared companionship.
Despite his social media fame, Hugo remains a down-to-earth dog. Alexandra shared that he still gets excited over the smallest things—his favorite toy, belly rubs, or a walk in the rain. “He reminds me to appreciate the present,” she said. “To slow down and find joy in the little things.”
She’s also planning a special “Welcome Back” party for Hugo, complete with dog-safe cake, party hats, and a gathering of his canine friends from the neighborhood. “He deserves it,” Alexandra laughed. “He waited so patiently for me to come back. Now it’s my turn to spoil him.”
Fans have already begun suggesting themes for the party and even volunteering to create custom decorations and treats. One follower commented, “Can we make this an annual event? Hugo Day should be a global celebration!”
But beyond the viral moments and joyful clips lies something deeper—a reminder of the unspoken bond between humans and animals. It’s in the way Hugo looks at Alexandra, the way he leans into her, and how his whole body seems to relax when he’s near her.
“There’s nothing like the love of a dog,” Alexandra says in one video, tears welling in her eyes. “No matter how long you’re apart, they always remember. And they always forgive.”
As Hugo curls up at her feet, tail still thumping softly, it’s clear that the bond they share is one that distance could never break. And while life will always come with its challenges and separations, moments like theirs remind us all of what truly matters—love, loyalty, and the comfort of knowing that no matter how far you roam, someone is always waiting with a wagging tail and an open heart.
And for Hugo and Alexandra, the next chapter is just beginning—together.
