‘Your dog, whoever they are, is the highlight of someone's morning.’: The emotional story of a grief stricken commuter mourning the loss of their soul dog, who finds hope and healing in the consistent sighting of a scruffy pup named popcorn

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 14, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

So many of the stories that we cover here have some sort of hard to swallow heartbreak attached to them. And while it is what makes them such compelling reads, sometimes, especially on the weekend, we just want a little sweet comfort and that is about it. Which is why we have brought you this tale which is just a whole bundle of sweet internet based serendipity, that is guaranteed to leave you in a better mood than before you read it.

For today, we tell the tale of a poor hooman who, having lost their soul dog had little hope in the world for their future joy. That is until they began seeing a cute canine while on their way to work. And after several sightings of the mood boosting pupper, this person took to Reddit to tell their story in the hopes of maybe connecting with this pupper's owner. And low and behold, the internet provided and the dog's owner piped up in the comments. What comes next is so wonderfully heartwarming that we do not want to spoil it and so will let you take the time to read and enjoy this truly uplifting pupper story. 
 

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  • 01
    Dear Morning Dog Walker on Woodland Ave, You don't know me, and really, I don't know you. I have never spoken to you and I don't even know your name, but I see you on my commute every day. You see, I take
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  • 02
    Woodland Ave towards the UK campus each morning, and sometimes, if the timing is just right, I see you. Well, to be more specific and quite candid: I see your dog.
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  • 03
    Your dog is not big, but not small. They are mostly white but I think might have black and/or brown patches in some places. They are a scruffy looking thing, all wiry hair that cannot be tamed, and
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    they always seem to have their little tail wagging straight up. They go on this walk with you most days (at least during the work week), and even if the weather is less than ideal, sometimes they get to go on a walk anyways.
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  • 05
    I wanted you, dog walker, to know that your dog is the highlight of my morning.
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  • Well, isn't this just one of the most wholesome posts that someone could make. Honestly, appreciation is one thing that we simply do not show enough of in this life. Especially when there are so many sweet, little moments to appreciate and show appreciation for. Everyone deserves to have their day brightened, and to be able to thank those that brighten their day.

  • 06
    You see, last February, I lost my soul dog. He was roughly 12 years old (give or take) and I had owned him for 8 years when he passed. He didn't look like your dog he was tan, bigger than your dog
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    Cheezburger Image 10553651712
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    (but not too big), and overall just a totally different dog...but they do both share something. They are scruffy.
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    I don't get to see a lot of scruffy dogs, but I fell in love with wire-haired mutts over the years I had my boy. When he passed, I started noticing scruffy pups more often than before, if only because they seem to bring me
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    some sense of happiness. Seeing your dog, that scruffy little thing on their morning walk, really makes me happy each morning. I look forward to seeing your dog on my commute; I smile every time.
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    My hope is that, via the power of Reddit, maybe you'll see this. I hope it isn't too weird or anything... I just thought you might want to know that your dog, whoever they are, is the highlight of someone's morning. I
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  • And as you and this poster are about to find out the power of Reddit is truly blinding as by some stroke of luck or magic, the dog walker actually found this post and responded to our commuter. We will not spoil the rest for you, but we will take a moment to appreciate that these kind of events are important. And that devoting a bit of time to giving back to those who give to you can go a long long way.
     

  • 13
    wish you both the best in life and lots of lovely morning walks. Sincerely, A Commuter with a Love for Scruffy Dogs
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    TOP COMMENT (an hour later) Oh my goodness!!! That's me and my pup!! Her name is Popcorn and I typically walk her in the morning with my son, down woodland ave and through the park! She's 5
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    years old and we adopted her as a puppy from the Woodford Humane Society. I'm so terribly sorry to hear about the passing of your sweet doggo... I believe all dogs hold a special corner in our
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    hearts but scruffy ones are extra-specially super duper lovable. Plus, Poppy is wildly skittish so keeping her from the grooming sheers is best for everyone
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    Your message positively made my day (and that of my families). Thank you so much for putting this out there and for letting Popcorn pass on some fluffy positivity in your morning! Feel free to stop us anytime! She'd love to say hi with a scruffy sniff!
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    Update: (about 2 weeks later) Some of you may recall my original post here on this subreddit seeking a dog (and her walker) on Woodland Ave. I edited that post to mention at the bottom I had successfully found the
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  • 20
    pair, but sadly, I wasn't able to meet the lovely, scruffy canine right away. Life happens, as we all know, and my commute is often down to the minute...meaning I have very little time most mornings to stop and chat.
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    Today was different. Today I had spare time by some miracle. Not only was I running ahead of schedule, but my path crossed with the creature I had been waiting for: Popcorn.
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  • 23
    I was delighted to meet Popcorn face-to-face, in the flesh. No longer was she just a cutie-patootie walking down the street with her people; now, clearly, we were going to be best friends.
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    Alright, well, maybe not best friends right away. Popcorn was a little shy, considering that to her, I am just a stranger. That's alright, though! No feelings are hurt here, Poppy, don't you worry.
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  • 25
    I will keep waving every morning. Popcorn's mom told me that not only did the original post I made bring her joy, it has spread joy to her kids and family, too. I'm delighted to know that my little post, thrown into the
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    ether of the Internet on a whim, has brought us together in this way...and I'm happy to share a little joy for everyone in Lexington with this update, too. I did get a picture with Popcorn and her mom, of course, but I'll hold onto
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    that one for privacy's sake ;) You'll have to take my word for it, though, that she really is just as cute in person as she seemed from across the street on my way to work. I'll have to keep you all appraised of any future Popcorn-OP meetups.
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Tags

healing commute dogs hope soul puppy emotional reddit story morning mourning loss Popcorn grief dog story
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