In 2016, a Chihuahua named Tiny Tim was adopted by the family of Big Ben, a Great Pyrenees. The two became best friends, doing practically everything together. But in December 2022, the worst happened, leaving Tiny deeply saddened.
Tiny and Big were inseparable! Jenny Leech, the pets’ owner, was sure to find them playing together, or Tiny sleeping on Big’s back, nestled in his fur. The size difference didn’t stop this pair from getting along famously!
“In the early years, when Ben was a little more agile, he would lie on the couch and Tim would lie right on top of him,” Leech told The Dodo .
When they weren’t sleeping together, the two were seenswimming together. And when they weren’t up to mischief… the little one would climb on his older brother’s back to ‘steal’ food from the table. Can you believe it?!
“At the dinner table, Tim knew he could step on Ben to get down to our level and beg,” Leech said. “And they loved swimming together. Ben was his rock, for sure.”
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Realizing their close bond and how much their friendship benefited everyone in the family, Jenny decided to create a social media page to share the couple’s daily lives and make others happy to see them together. Their sweet friendship has garnered over 103,000 followers.
When Tiny arrived at the family, Big was seven years old. The dog had the energy to keep up with his younger brother, but time passed and the complications of aging set in. The Chihuahua, noticing his brother’s difficulty moving around, began to lessen his bother, respecting his space.
“I think Tim sensed a change in him,” Jenny said. “Instead of his usual antics of climbing on Ben, Tim was more gentle and content to nap or sit next to him.”
Then, on December 24, 2022, what everyone feared happened: Big passed away. The dog had a stroke, dying at thirteen years old. Nothing could be done but allow him to pass away peacefully, receiving all the good vibes from his family.
“My daughters, who grew up with him, were there,” Jenny said. “And Tim was there.”
Jenny reported the dog’s death on social media and there was no shortage of messages of support and affection from her followers.
One in particular who lives in Ohio (USA) named Beth, decided to comfort Tiny by sending him a big stuffed dog so he could snuggle up to it just like he did with Big.
“She sent him a huge stuffed dog,” Leech said. “And from the minute I put him on the couch, Tim claimed him.”
Now, Jenny always catches Tiny curled up next to the stuffed animal; he’s certainly associated the toy with his brother.
And it’s great that he found a way to ease his pain in the plush toy, because just like humans, dogs also grieve. According to the news portal Old Dog Haven , it’s crucial for owners to recognize their pet’s grief so they can help them cope.
Some recommendations include: be close to your pet whenever possible, so they understand they’re not alone. Do whatever you can to entertain them.
Maintain a routine so he knows he’s safe. Take care of his physical needs. And above all, be patient, as it can take days, weeks, and months for the pain to subside.
Jenny says her dog is coping very well with the loss of Big, and she never imagined he would react so quickly to grief. It’s all thanks to a follower’s kindness when she gifted him a stuffed dog.
“He’s really surprised us all with how well he’s doing,” Leech said. “I think we’re having a harder time looking at him without his friend.”
Check out Big and Tiny together:
See Tiny with his new friend:
Tiny has a new best friend. But the memory of his brother Big will certainly never be erased from his memory.
