Melyssa Sobczyk, a 33-year-old resident of Palm Desert, California, shares a heartwarming story of interspecies bonding and unexpected behavioral adaptations within her own home. Her 13-year-old Pomeranian, Lola, has defied the adage about old dogs learning new tricks by adopting distinctly feline behaviors after Sobczyk brought home a rescue cat named Goose. Lola’s transformation has not only delighted Sobczyk but has also captured the hearts of millions online, showcasing the remarkable adaptability and social learning capabilities of animals.
The introduction of Goose into Lola’s established routine wasn’t without its initial challenges. Accustomed to a cat-free existence, Lola was understandably perplexed by Goose’s nocturnal zoomies and unfamiliar feline habits. Sobczyk herself, a first-time cat owner, felt as if she had an “alien” in her house. However, as time passed, a heartwarming transformation began to unfold. Lola, initially hesitant, gradually warmed up to Goose, and the two began engaging in playful chases around the house, a sight Sobczyk hadn’t witnessed from Lola in years. This blossoming interspecies friendship marked the beginning of Lola’s remarkable behavioral shift.
Sobczyk began to observe Lola mimicking Goose’s actions, engaging in behaviors previously foreign to her canine repertoire. Lola started using Goose’s cat tunnel, adopting the characteristic feline “loafing” posture with paws tucked neatly underneath, and even attempting to “make biscuits,” a term used to describe the kneading motion cats make with their paws. These endearingly incongruous behaviors, a small dog mirroring a cat’s mannerisms, became a source of amusement and joy for Sobczyk, solidifying the bond between the unlikely duo.
This heartwarming tale of interspecies influence reached a wider audience when Sobczyk shared a video of Lola’s feline-inspired antics on her TikTok account, @lola_thepom. The clip quickly went viral, amassing over 2.7 million views in mere days. In the video, Lola is seen exhibiting the quintessential “loaf” posture, followed by a series of cat-like stretches, clearly demonstrating the influence of her feline companion. The video’s caption, “We adopted a cat last year and now my dog has started mimicking her behaviors,” perfectly encapsulates the essence of Lola’s transformation.
The video’s popularity sparked a wave of comments from fellow pet owners sharing similar experiences of cross-species behavioral adoption. Many recounted stories of their dogs learning cat-like habits such as ignoring commands, while others described their cats adopting canine behaviors like barking. The comment section became a testament to the often-overlooked social intelligence and adaptability of animals, highlighting their capacity to learn from and emulate each other, regardless of species. The discussion also veered into playful debates about whether specific dog breeds were more predisposed to behaviors like loafing and stretching.
The viral video and the subsequent responses underscore the fascinating dynamic that can develop between pets of different species. As explained in a report from Wag!, dogs are indeed highly impressionable creatures, capable of picking up behaviors from their feline housemates. This can range from seemingly simple actions like stretching and scratching to more complex behaviors like attempting to use the litter box or seeking refuge in small, confined spaces, mirroring a cat’s preference for cozy hiding spots. Lola’s story perfectly illustrates this phenomenon, demonstrating the remarkable plasticity of animal behavior and the profound influence of companionship across species.
Sobczyk, overwhelmed by the positive response to Lola’s video and her TikTok page’s growing popularity, expresses profound gratitude for the outpouring of affection towards her beloved pet. She describes Lola as her “soul dog,” emphasizing their inseparable bond and Lola’s constant presence by her side, even accompanying her to work, where she’s affectionately dubbed the Chief Happiness Officer. Sobczyk finds immense joy in knowing that Lola’s sweet nature and charming quirks bring smiles to people worldwide, fulfilling her long-held belief that Lola’s magic should be shared with a wider audience. The heartwarming story of Lola and Goose serves as a testament to the unexpected joys and surprising connections that can arise from interspecies friendships, reminding us of the remarkable capacity for learning, adaptation, and love that exists within the animal kingdom. It also highlights the power of social media in sharing these heartwarming narratives, creating a sense of community among pet lovers and showcasing the remarkable bond between humans and their animal companions.
