A viral video featuring a golden retriever named Maui has captured the hearts of millions, showcasing the emotional bond between pets and their owners.

In the clip, shared on TikTok in May, under the username maui_thegoldenpup, Maui's owner steps away from him for just 30 seconds while at the park, and the dog's reaction is a mix of confusion and distress, clearly highlighting the strong attachment Maui has to his human.

This viral moment underscores a significant aspect of pet ownership: the way dogs perceive their owners. According to an article by VetExplainsPets, dogs often see their human companions as parent figures.

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This is supported by research showing that dogs form strong emotional bonds with their owners, similar to the attachments seen in parent-child relationships. The article elaborates on how dogs rely on their owners for security and comfort, which can explain Maui's distressed reaction when his owner briefly left his sight.

Maui's reaction is not just a display of dependence but also an expression of the deep emotional connection he has with his owner. For many pet owners, this reinforces the importance of understanding and nurturing the emotional needs of their pets.

"One misconception surrounding the topic of dogs seeing their owners as parents is the belief that dogs may not understand the concept of family or hierarchy. In reality, dogs are highly social animals that thrive in a structured environment with clear roles and boundaries," the website added.

The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over 3.2 million views and 705,200 likes on the platform.

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One user, Rian, commented: "It's also sad to realize,dogs search like this not knowing they've been abandoned. I couldn't smile."

Stephanie said: "The way you can see when he gets sad cause his tail drops :( he loves you so much."

Inlovewithsope wrote: "Dogs love so unconditionally and their loyalty is just so tight. makes me think of all those abandoned dogs who'll always probably wander."

lahani143 added: "I fully understand the meaning of golden retriever boyfriend now."

Newsweek reached out to maui_thegoldenpup for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.