There is something special about watching a pet form a genuine bond with another animal, especially when the friendship is completely unexpected.
One family has watched their Golden Retriever, Maggie, become best friends with a local doe who regularly visits their backyard. The family has affectionately named the deer Dottie, and Maggie’s owner has been sharing updates about their adorable relationship on Instagram under the account @sherri_inspires.
In one recent clip, Maggie races along the inside of a wooden fence while Dottie runs beside her on the other side.
When Maggie reaches the end of the yard, she quickly turns around and sprints back in the opposite direction. Dottie immediately follows her lead, matching the dog’s pace as the two run back and forth together.
Even though only a few fence slats separate them, the pair seem completely connected and thrilled to be playing.
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This was not the first time Maggie and Dottie had turned the backyard into their own private playground.
About a week earlier, Maggie’s owner shared another video showing the patient pup trying to convince her new friend to join in the fun. Her persistence eventually paid off, and the two were soon frolicking alongside the fence again.
The video included clips from several different days and was set to “Thank You for Being a Friend,” the familiar theme song from The Golden Girls.
Viewers quickly fell in love with the unusual friendship.
“Oh my goodness. The little stomp to get the chase going again was the sweetest,” one commenter wrote. “I feel like I’m watching a Disney movie and all the animals communicate perfectly with one another without words. Thank you for sharing this.”
Another viewer had a similar reaction.
“What in the Disney movie did I just watch?” the person wrote.
Others joked that Maggie no longer needs regular walks because Dottie has become her personal trainer.
The playful workouts certainly appear to be doing the job. Text on the video summed up Maggie’s feelings perfectly: “Maggie is very happy and verrrrrrrry tired.”