Rescue Dog Behaves Like a 'Gentleman' When Owner's Chihuahua Steals His Bed

A rescue dog has been applauded for his reaction to discovering his new Chihuahua sibling had stolen his bed.

Photographer Hailey Faria from Little Rock, Arkansas, hailed her new canine companion Trig a "gentleman" for letting 13-year-old Lola continue to take up space on a bed that was clearly several sizes too big for a dog of her diminutive stature.

A video posted to Faria's TikTok, haileymfnfaria, captured the hilarious scene with Trig opting to curl himself up inside Lola's bed which, while small, provided the rescue pooch with some modicum of comfort.

Faria told Newsweek: "She had laid in his bed one time before I had made the video, so Trig just chose the floor next to her and the bed. So, we moved her little bed next to his big one thinking maybe she liked that area more. We picked her up and put her in it. The next time I walked around the corner, she had moved back over to his bed and he curled up in hers!"

Lola has been part of Faria's life since she was just 4 months old, and loves nothing more than to roll on her back and receive tummy tickles. Unfortunately, Lola was initially anything but tickled by the arrival of Trig. "She was not the most accepting, since she is the queen and all," Faria admits.

But senior dogs like Lola undoubtedly benefit from having another canine for company. A 2023 study published in the journal Evolution, Medicine & Public Health which drew on data collected about 21,410 dogs found that social companionship with other dogs was associated with better health outcomes.

In any case, Lola's aversion to Trig didn't last long. "It took her a few days to come around him, but because of his gentle spirit, there wasn't a fight he was putting up or negative energy," Faria said. "He didn't bother her or try to even get near her food."

Trig's sweet nature could well be down to the fact he's simply happy to have found a home. That was what some watching on social media thought. "He's just happy to have a bed and family," one user wrote, with another agreeing, "He's just thankful to be there."

Trig certainly came into Faria's care in unexpected and totally heartbreaking circumstances. She first encountered him while shooting on a 30-acre property that included a rental home. "When I showed up, I was greeted by Trig. I was told by friends of the owner of the property that the renters moved out and left behind a bunch of belongings including their dog," Faria said.

Though food had been left for Trig, Faria felt concern for the canine. When she returned a week later to take more photos, he was still there, waiting. "The house was completely abandoned and luckily a pond was on the property for water source and neighbors for food," she said.

Faria admits that it was at this point that she began "getting emotionally attached" to the dog. After waiting a couple more days, she headed down to the property again and, with no owner or human companion in sight, decided to take Trig home with her.

She admits she knows little about what Trig's life was like before. "He seems to have been loved on, he isn't aggressive, we still have not heard him bark and walks excellently on a leash," she said. "I really hope it was a live-or-die situation and the renters left him behind praying the right family would find him."

For now though, their loss has proven to be both hers and Lola's gains, especially if the current sleeping arrangements stay in place. "He is seriously the most gentle-natured pup," she said. "I just don't know why anyone would abandon him."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.