
Mum, Dad, my brother Michael: everyone in the family got more affection from our ridgeback-staffie cross. And guess whose bed she used to poo on…
I think the tone was set when Ella threw up over me on the way back from the Dogs Trust. She was three months old, rolling around on the back seat between me and my twin brother, Michael (we’d just turned seven), and wasn’t enjoying her first trip in a car. She could have been sick anywhere – over the seat, over the floor – but for some reason she decided to climb on to me first.
It was the start of a beautiful but strangely one-sided friendship. Ella, a ridgeback-staffie cross, was the perfect dog: playful, energetic, naughty and tolerant. She would let us poke and prod her without complaint, turn her ears inside-out or dress her up in T-shirts or the thick woollen poncho my Greek Cypriot grandma knitted her for the British winter. And she was endlessly loving, at least to the other members of the family. Me? Too often it was as if I didn’t exist. If Michael and I were sitting on the sofa, she’d bound up to him. If I came home after a day out with my dad, he was the one she’d jump at. If I tried to take her for a walk by myself, she’d drag her feet and insist that I fetch my brother.
To add insult to injury, about once a year she would do a poo in the house. Not just anywhere, though: she’d climb the stairs to my room and leave it in a neat pile on top of my bed.

I can’t pretend I wasn’t offended by Ella’s attitude – I loved her just as much as anyone. But it took me a while to realise that in her eyes we were both bitches fighting for our place in the pack. I read that dogs are 98.8% wolf, even yappy little chihuahuas. Ella was a definite she-wolf and my mother (she who opened the tin of dog food every night) was the undisputed alpha female. Ella could handle that fact, but she didn’t want to be the omega female. That was me.
Working out the reasons for Ella’s lack of sisterhood, understanding that her indifference was atavistic and not just casual, didn’t make me any less jealous of my brother, who always took great pleasure in the fact that Ella seemed to prefer him. But I resigned myself to the situation. And then one day (happy ending, anyone?) everything changed. I must have been 16 or 17, we’d been away for a fortnight in France, and when we got back it was me she ran up to first, whining and twisting with pleasure at seeing me again. After that it was like all those years of competition had never happened. We were best friends for ever, or at least for the couple of years she had left. Ella finally loved me.
The online community admires a series of moments believed to capture a loyal dog assisting a 95-year-old woman with her daily household chores

woman who has seen almost a century of life’s ups and downs, found herself fortunate to have Max by her side. Despite his lack of formal training, Max’s intuitive understanding of Mrs. Johnson’s needs and his determination to be of assistance have been nothing short of extraordinary. Their heartwarming partnership serves as a beautiful example of the profound connection that can exist between humans and animals.

Max’s assistance in daily household chores has been nothing short of remarkable. With a sense of duty and an eagerness to help, he has become Mrs. Johnson’s dependable companion in her daily routine. Whether it’s retrieving items that are out of her reach, carrying groceries, or even helping with laundry, Max’s willingness to lend a paw has made a world of difference in Mrs. Johnson’s life.

The beauty of their relationship lies not only in Max’s helpfulness but also in the genuine joy they bring to each other. Mrs. Johnson’s face lights up with a radiant smile whenever Max approaches, wagging his tail and ready to take on any task she may need assistance with. Their daily interactions are filled with laughter, gratitude, and an unspoken understanding that goes beyond words.
When a neighbor happened to capture a video of Max’s remarkable assistance and shared it on social media, the internet community couldn’t help but be moved. The clip quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes, shares, and comments expressing admiration and awe for Max’s loyalty and Mrs. Johnson’s resilience. People from all walks of life, inspired by their story, began to share their own anecdotes of the incredible bonds they have formed with their furry friends.
In conclusion, the heartwarming tale of Max, the faithful dog, and Mrs. Johnson, the resilient 95-year-old woman, has captivated the online community with its message of unwavering loyalty and the power of compassion. Their extraordinary bond and Max’s incredible assistance with household chores have become a source of inspiration, reminding us all of the profound impact animals can have on our lives. Their story serves as a beautiful testament to the enduring strength of the human-animal bond and the limitless capacity for love and support that exists within us all.

Max’s assistance in daily household chores has been nothing short of remarkable. With a sense of duty and an eagerness to help, he has become Mrs. Johnson’s dependable companion in her daily routine. Whether it’s retrieving items that are out of her reach, carrying groceries, or even helping with laundry, Max’s willingness to lend a paw has made a world of difference in Mrs. Johnson’s life.

The beauty of their relationship lies not only in Max’s helpfulness but also in the genuine joy they bring to each other. Mrs. Johnson’s face lights up with a radiant smile whenever Max approaches, wagging his tail and ready to take on any task she may need assistance with. Their daily interactions are filled with laughter, gratitude, and an unspoken understanding that goes beyond words.
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