Have you ever caught yourself wondering what your dog is really doing when you’re not home?
Most pet parents assume their pups nap, play with toys, or maybe get into a little mischief. I usually try to bring my dogs along with me everywhere, but that isn’t always an option. Sometimes, they have to stay behind and hold down the fort on their own.
For me, it never crossed my mind to install cameras inside my home. The one outside, pointed at the entrances, seemed to do the trick. But every now and then, I can’t help but wonder what sort of secret adventures my dogs might have if a camera were watching them.
One woman in Durham, North Carolina, decided to take that curiosity a step further. She set up a camera to keep an eye on her 10-year-old Labrador, Sundae, when she wasn’t around.
What she discovered melted her heart, and quickly went viral on social media.
A Mystery To Solve
Sundae’s mom had always been puzzled by one thing: why did she keep finding random household items—shoes, socks, shirts, even ChapStick—tucked away in her dog’s bed whenever she came home?
The loyal black Lab had a habit of collecting anything that carried her mom’s scent.
Her owner explained, “When I’d leave her home, even if it was just for a little bit, I’d come back and she’d have my shoes, socks, basically any piece of clothing and sometimes random things like ChapStick in her bed. I’d never actually seen her in the act of putting stuff in her bed, and was just really curious to see how she does it.”
So, when she installed an indoor camera, she couldn’t wait to solve the mystery.
The very first chance to test it came quickly. Her mom had to run to the grocery store, leaving Sundae at home. The camera, equipped with motion detection, sent alerts to her phone whenever something moved.
Curious, she checked the live feed. Was Sundae tearing through the house? Digging into laundry baskets? Or pacing nervously at the door?
Instead, the video revealed something much more touching.
Sundae slowly walked to the front door, curled up on the floor, and just waited. Each time she shifted position, the camera sent another alert, showing the sweet Labrador loyally keeping watch for her mom’s return.
“Every time she repositioned by the door, I would get a notification,” Sundae’s mom said. “My heart literally broke; I was tearing up in the grocery store watching her wait for me.”
Rather than causing chaos, Sundae simply longed for her mom’s presence.
Thankfully, many stores in their area are dog-friendly, so Sundae now gets to tag along on more shopping trips.
A Viral Star Is Born
The heartwarming footage of Sundae faithfully waiting by the door quickly went viral on TikTok, racking up millions of views. Thousands of dog lovers around the world connected with her story, leaving comments about their own pups’ separation anxiety and unconditional devotion.
But this wasn’t Sundae’s first moment in the spotlight. In fact, the lovable Lab already had a following thanks to her quirky wardrobe and hilarious dress-up videos.
It all began when Sundae developed a rash after being bitten by ants. Her mom had to apply a medicated ointment on her belly. But as every dog owner knows, preventing a pup from licking a wound is nearly impossible. The dreaded cone of shame wasn’t an option.
So, her creative mom improvised. She cut up an old pair of sweatpants and dressed Sundae in them as a protective barrier.
Surprisingly, Sundae adored her new look. What started as a quick solution soon grew into a full-blown fashion hobby.
Before long, Sundae had her own closet filled with clothes, sunglasses, jewelry, and even wigs. With each new outfit, her personality shined brighter. Her TikTok fans couldn’t get enough of her modeling sessions.
Her stylish adventures, combined with her heartwarming loyalty, turned Sundae into an online sensation. She isn’t just a family pet—she’s a beloved character with fans all over the world.
Beneath all the costumes and viral videos, though, Sundae is simply a loving dog who misses her mom whenever she’s away. Her story reminds us just how deep the bond between humans and their dogs really is.
While many people set up cameras hoping to catch funny antics or silly mischief, Sundae’s mom instead discovered a picture of pure devotion.
And sometimes, that’s the most beautiful surprise of all.