Grieving couple let dog sniff cap of child they lost at 37 weeks. What he did next proved he remembered her from mom's womb

There is no greater love than the one between a dog and a baby. Shelby Susnick and her husband learned the profundity when they lost their daughter, Mia, at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Of course, it was tough, but their dog, Russell's reaction to their child's cap made them flash a bittersweet smile amidst the cloud of grief. The video (@booplethesnoot), posted on November 18, has received 430k views online so far.

Russell, their dog, had been anticipating the arrival of the baby, and the couple didn't want him to feel disappointed. So, despite losing their child, they knew they had to introduce Russell to their baby. The only possible way to do it was to let him sniff their daughter's cap. When Russell smelled the cap she'd worn (albeit for a short period of time), he responded like he already knew Mia. "They had their own form of communication," the couple shared. With a wagging tail, the dog let the couple know that he was aware of what had happened and had already formed a connection with her. The couple became emotional seeing it; in fact, they even shared glimpses of Russell, playing with the woman's pregnant belly earlier. He used to get his squeaky toy and show it to her belly, as if telling the baby that he was waiting for her to join his play dates. Later, when Russell was made to sniff the baby's cap, he rushed to get the same toy and squeaked it for them. "Russell knows his baby sister. Never thought a squeaker would bring me to tears," the couple wrote. 

How did this being form a connection with someone they had never seen? Dogs have an uncanny ability to sense changes that humans often ignore, but how? "Dogs can smell pheromones, and with pregnancy or after a miscarriage, there's a change in their owner's scent," explained dog coach Sissy Leonie Kreid to DW News. Dealing with incidents such as a miscarriage is very difficult, as it takes a toll on people emotionally. The couple in the video also experienced it after 9 months of pregnancy. Russell understood the changes in them, and that's why he wasn't surprised when they made him sniff the cap.

Meanwhile, the video left netizens overwhelmed with emotions. People couldn't hold back their tears but smiled at the dog's reaction. For instance, @tikanni.kita.n.tehya.3.sibes commented, "I am crying with you. Dogs and children are the purest of souls. What a beautiful bond between your two babies. Thank you for sharing this with us!" @tsuyaki.house said, "My heart is so broken for y'all, but I'm glad you have Russell there with you. Sending you both so much love and hugs."

Similarly, @isabella.revilla wrote, "Dogs know. They know us more than we do. I bet Russell plays with sweet Mia in his dreams, always with that toy." @patchthedalmatianpup commented, "Oh dear, I’m so, so sorry. How truly special that Russell knew her that well… He really did have his own form of communication with her, and despite her little time earthside, he showed her all of his love for as long as he had a chance." @ziggy_the_miniaussie shared, "That’s just beyond precious. He knew who you were talking about. Russell, you’re the best. I know we knew that, but now everyone else does for real!"

You can follow Shelby Susnick & Russell (@booplethesnoot) on Instagram for more dog-related content.

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