Golden Retriever Reuniting With Owner Who's Home From College Is Pure Happiness

Who doesn't like a heartwarming reunion video? You've likely seen the tearjerkers of soldiers surprising family members and dogs jumping all over their long-lost humans. A golden retriever named Rosie had her own moment like this when her human, Lizzy, returned home from college after being away for two weeks. It turns out that Rosie had been seriously missing her two-legged BFF, and Lizzy and her mom filmed the reunion and shared it on TikTok in September 2025. "I had to come home and see her, obviously," Lizzy says in the clip.

To capture the magic from all angles, Lizzy arranged for her mom to bring Rosie outside and start filming from the front yard while she filmed the arrival perspective. Lizzy begins walking down a long, curved road that leads to her home. Still with Lizzy's mom, Rosie looks confused at first until she hears someone calling her name in the distance. Being one of the smartest dog breeds in the world, Rosie follows the familiar voice down the road, bolts around the corner, spots Lizzy, and sprints toward her. "Rose! My baby! Come here!" Lizzy yells. When Rosie reaches her, she smothers her with kisses and whines with joy.

@elizabethverboys

I also had a doctors appointment but main reason for coming home was totally Rosie #CapCut #goldenretriever #surprise #college #dog

♬ original sound – lizzy🌷

Naturally, viewers' reactions to the video were charming, humorous, and relatable. Many jokingly suggested that Lizzy should drop out of college to stay home with Rosie, while others expressed how emotional the clip made them. The video proves that dogs miss us (and may even cry) when we're gone, but what exactly do they experience during this time of longing? What's going through their minds during those days apart?

Dogs don't just notice when we're gone; they feel it deeply. According to 2022 research published in the journal Animals, dogs can experience stress and behavioral changes when separated from their owners. Think racing hearts, pacing, whining, and even pre-departure anxiety. Yes, sometimes they know when their humans are about to grab their wallets or purses and keys before they do. Imagine being in your dog's paws, and the person who's your entire world leaves you and you have no clue when or if they'll return.

This emotional attachment goes beyond short absences, and it doesn't only happen when dogs are home alone. Dogs can miss specific people, such as adults (like Lizzy) who head off to college, a favorite owner, or a beloved previous owner. In those cases, pups might act withdrawn or restless or seem to be searching for that missing someone. And when a loved one (human or furry) passes away, dogs may sleep more, eat less, lose interest in play, or stick closer to those still around them.

We'll never know exactly what dogs understand about absence or loss, but the evidence suggests that they experience an emotional longing that mirrors human grief. The good news is that there are ways to reduce dogs' separation anxiety and other negative reactions. Owners could get a second pet to keep their pup company, hire a sitter, or take their dog to daycare. Even with these options, however, most dogs still become ecstatic upon their humans' return, just like Rosie.