Golden Retriever Realizes Her Family Adopted Her Foster Friend

19 hours ago 4

Golden Retriever’s Joyful Reaction to Seeing Her Best Friend Adopted

In a heartwarming viral TikTok, a golden retriever named Sadie Mae had an unforgettable reaction when she realized her family had just adopted her best friend.

The touching video, shared by 21-year-old Ashtyn Hawthorne from North Carolina, shows Sadie Mae wagging her tail with pure excitement as her new brother, Rio, walks through the door. The caption reads, “The moment that our dog realized we rescued the foster dog that she had a playdate with — they are best friends now.”

Before Rio’s adoption, Sadie Mae had been the family’s only dog for four years. Their bond began the moment the two dogs met for a playdate organized by a local golden retriever rescue. That single meeting sealed their fate.

“When we met him, we fell in love at first sight — and so did Sadie Mae,” Hawthorne told Newsweek. “We adopted Rio from a local golden retriever rescue. He was rescued from Kosovo at 1 year old. When he was rescued, he had heartworm and was super shy. He was in and out of multiple foster homes before we met him.”

When Rio finally arrived at his forever home, Sadie Mae’s tail wagged faster than ever, and her face lit up with joy. She seemed to instantly recognize him as her long-lost friend.

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Hawthorne, who runs a golden retriever-themed small business that helps dogs in need, said that Rio’s journey hasn’t been easy, but his transformation has been beautiful. “He’s the sweetest boy,” she said. “We’ve had Rio for almost two years now and he’s adapted wonderfully. He’s a big cuddle bug and loves to play fetch.”

Since moving in, Rio and Sadie Mae have been inseparable. They nap together, share toys, and mirror each other’s playful energy. “They have become best friends,” Hawthorne said proudly.

The video melted hearts online, earning nearly 700,000 views and more than 137,000 likes on TikTok. Comments flooded in, with users saying the reunion felt like watching two souls recognize each other.

“She realized that she got a new sibling and it’s her best friend,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “That excited tail says everything — she’s so happy.”

Some viewers even shared similar experiences of their dogs bonding with rescues, showing how compassion and second chances create lifelong friendships.

Sadie Mae and Rio’s story is a reminder that rescue dogs don’t just find homes — they often find family. Their joy proves that love, once given, never fades; it only grows stronger.

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