When we came across this heart-melting story on The Dodo about a golden retriever and his little human sister, we couldn’t resist sharing it. Meet Taco, a 3-year-old golden retriever who has been eagerly waiting for the day his baby sister, Vanora, could join him in playtime. That long-awaited moment has finally arrived, and it’s nothing short of magical.
Claudia Hughes, proud mom to both Taco and Vanora, shared their sweet bond with The Dodo. From the moment Vanora came home from the hospital, Taco was smitten. “When we would lay her down on the floor or our bed, Taco would just lay down next to her,” Hughes shared. It’s heartwarming to see such a loving connection between a furry friend and a tiny human. Any pet parent knows there’s nothing quite as reassuring as seeing your beloved pup watching over your child.
Hughes revealed that Taco’s devotion extended to late-night feedings, as he often got up alongside the family. His gentle patience and love made it clear he couldn’t wait for Vanora to grow up enough to play with him. When that moment finally came, Taco’s reaction was pure, uncontainable joy. A video capturing Taco’s excitement as Vanora took some of her first steps has racked up over 2 million likes on TikTok, and it’s easy to see why.
For Taco, it wasn’t just about watching Vanora grow—it was about finally having a playmate who could join in his fun. His excitement was expressed the way dogs know best: with zoomies! If you’ve never witnessed the sheer joy of a dog’s zoomies, Taco’s video will show you what unfiltered happiness looks like. If he could talk, he’d probably shout, “This is the best day ever!”
@mostlyadorable
“It’s fun having each other 🐾👶🏻.” #dogsandbabies #goldensandbabies #babiesoftiktok #dogsoftiktokviral
According to Hughes, Taco’s enthusiasm started when he noticed Vanora taking steps in her walker. His joy grew when she began pushing it on her own. But the real excitement hit when she finally took unassisted steps. Despite his elation, Taco was careful not to get too close, making sure he didn’t accidentally knock her over. He truly is the perfect big brother.
Hughes explained that they’ve been teaching Vanora how to show kindness to Taco. “We’ve shown her how to hug him, pet him gently, and give him kisses on his head,” Hughes said. “And if we get upset with him, we don’t hit him.” It’s clear that both Taco and Vanora are learning valuable lessons about love and compassion.
Soon enough, Vanora will be cheering Taco on and giving him praise for being a good boy. But for now, we’ll say it for her—Taco, you’re the goodest boy, and you deserve all the head pats and belly rubs. Well done, Taco!