A touching TikTok video has captured the hearts of millions as it shows a cat still grieving her canine companion, even six months after his passing.
The clip, posted by Emma Dorsey (@emmafayedorsey), shows Shelley, a sweet orange rescue cat, tenderly cuddling and sniffing her late brother’s collar every night before bed. As Shelley rubs her face against the collar, it’s as if she’s holding on to a memory that hasn’t faded.
“To anyone who thinks animals can’t feel loss—it’s been six months since my dog passed, and my cat still cuddles his collar every night before bed,” reads the text overlay in the video.
In the caption, Emma added: “I sobbed so hard making this… I know she misses him as much as I do.”
A Bond That Never Faded
Emma, 26, from California, shared with Newsweek that Shelley and her golden retriever Gus had an unbreakable bond.
“She absolutely adored Gus,” Emma said. “He was my childhood dog and truly the most amazing dog I’ve ever known. Shelley used to curl up in his tummy when they napped. She’d even play with his tail like it was a toy.”
Since Gus’s passing in January, Shelley’s love for him hasn’t diminished. In fact, every night when Emma hangs up Gus’s collar before bed, Shelley seems to know the routine. She quickly hops up to snuggle with it, as if saying goodnight to her best friend’s spirit.
Emma believes Shelley may still recognize Gus’s scent on the collar, but she also feels this nightly ritual is Shelley’s way of holding on to him.
“It’s a quiet moment we share,” Emma said. “It really shows how animals feel loss too. Losing Gus has been incredibly hard on me, but it’s been just as hard on her. Their connection was something really beautiful.”
How Cats Grieve
While scientific research on feline mourning is limited, many pet owners and animal behaviorists agree that cats are capable of grief. When a companion—human or animal—passes away, cats often show signs of sadness: they may lose their appetite, cry out, search the house, or seek extra comfort and affection.
Shelley’s gentle, nightly ritual is just one of many examples that animals don’t simply “move on” from those they love.
Grieving cats might also display changes in their sleep patterns, vocalizations, and social behaviors. Some may become withdrawn, while others grow unusually clingy, seeking constant reassurance from their humans. Experts recommend offering extra patience, comfort, and familiar routines to help grieving pets adjust, just as Shelley’s family has done by allowing her to continue her nightly visits with Gus’s collar.
A Viral Moment That Touched Millions
The video quickly went viral, amassing more than 21.4 million views and 6.2 million likes on TikTok. Thousands of users shared their own stories and heartfelt reactions.
“There is nothing more heart-shattering than animals grieving animals,” one user wrote.
Another commented: “Hey so this emotionally devastated me and I will be sending the therapy bill.”
“I will never be physically, mentally, or emotionally stable enough to handle the loss of one pet while watching my other pet grieve all the same,” added another.
Shelley’s story is a painful but beautiful reminder—grief isn’t just a human experience. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, persistent rituals that show just how deeply animals remember.
