Many dogs endure the hardest moments of their lives alone. Even a small gesture of care can make a huge difference, but some never receive it.
For this reason, some dogs form deep attachments to objects, usually toys, which provide a sense of security. Over time, these toys become inseparable from their lives, whether on the streets or in shelters.
A university student in Waco, Texas, experienced this firsthand when she saw a dog clinging to his cherished toy in a shelter. The scene was so moving that she decided to foster both the dog and his toy.
Always By His Side
Brooke Reese, a senior at Baylor University, decided to foster a two-year-old Pit Bull mix named Squishy because he was high on the euthanasia list. At the time, the shelter believed he might have cancer and that fostering was the best solution.
When Brooke brought Squishy home, she made sure to bring along his stuffed toy, Stitch, as the dog had formed a strong bond with it.
Brooke found this endearing, but she also noticed Stitch was very worn, with a tail hanging off, and decided it needed some repair.
Although repairing Stitch seemed simple, Brooke had to wait until Squishy wasn’t holding the toy to perform the “surgery.” Eventually, she found the right moment and began fixing the beloved stuffie.
She recorded the process to capture the heartwarming scene and shared it with her TikTok followers on @brooke.reese.
In the video, Squishy watches intently as Brooke repairs every flaw on his cherished toy.
Once the repair is complete, Squishy eagerly grabs Stitch with his teeth and begins playing again, clearly grateful to his foster mom for restoring his friend.
It may seem unusual for a dog to be so attached to a toy, but knowing Squishy’s backstory clarifies everything. He was found on the street by a kind woman, and during those difficult times, he never let go of his beloved toy.
The strongest bonds often emerge from the toughest circumstances, and Squishy’s attachment to Stitch proves that.
Touching Hearts Everywhere
When Brooke posted the video on TikTok, she expected some attention because the previous video of Squishy and his toy were popular. However, the reaction far exceeded her expectations.
Several comments stood out:
“I swear I saw the video of him being rescued from the street! He had his stuffy with him when he was dumped 😭😭,” one user wrote and many others agreed with him.
“Him watching you do surgery on his baby 🥹,” another added.
The third stated: “He won’t abandon his baby like he was abandoned. THANK YOU FOR ADOPTING this beautiful boy! ❤️❤️❤️❤️”
It’s clear why Squishy would never leave Stitch, as the toy was with him during his most challenging moments.