Doberman Thinks Her Pigeon Sister Is A Puppy And It's Beyond Adorable

When they share the same roof, dogs often develop tight-knit friendships with animals of other species, and sometimes the bond happens instantly. Less common animals, like pet birds, have also been known to befriend dogs. This was the case with a Doberman named Xena who struck up an unlikely connection with a pigeon after her owner, Gina, rescued her from a parking lot in late October 2020. The Dodo featured their unique, sweet story on YouTube in September 2025.

Gina found the pigeon — whom she named Hermes — as a squab that she described as "a bald bird." It seems she found no nest nearby and determined that no mother would come for her, so she decided to take the bird home to care for her. Hermes couldn't fly yet, and the lack of feathers suggests Hermes was under 4 weeks old at the time; pigeons typically take their first flights, fully feathered, around 4-5 weeks of age. When Gina introduced Hermes to Xena, the dogs' maternal instincts instantly kicked in.

More than 2.2 million viewers were smitten by the video, with many commenting on the high intelligence of pigeons. Others thanked Gina for stepping in and praised her for learning how to take care of a pigeon. Many were especially charmed by the human-dog-bird bond that formed.

Hermes quickly became part of Xena's daily activities after joining the family. In addition to chasing each other in the backyard, they've been known to eat meals together — sometimes, the same meal out of a slow-feeder interactive bowl, but Xena doesn't seem to mind. She also bathes wherever she finds water, including Xena's drinking bowl. Over the years, the duo has enjoyed peering through windows while being "chismosas" (gossipers) and exploring everything and nothing in the grass. They also take road trips together, and Gina claims Hermes has even learned to mimic Xena's bark.

Hermes has tested her limits both outdoors and inside, and Gina encourages her curiosity, allowing her to flap her wings around the house and perch in various places, including the top of doors and on her head. With some assistance from Gina, Hermes even made her own nest in the house using various household items and scraps. While Hermes hasn't made a social media appearance since September of 2023, fans can only hope she's still thriving as Xena's sidekick and Gina's feathered baby. After all, domesticated pigeons can live up to 15 years, and this one definitely chose the right flock to spend her days.

Want to read more stories like these? Consider these 18 interspecies friendships that are too pure for this timeline, or some unexpected pet friendships that are making us cry from joy.