'Mine squeals in a way I didn't think any dogs vocals cords were capable of': 25 Cutest Canine Stories of Puppers Happy to See Their Parents

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 27, 2025 9:00 AM EST

The best part of our day is coming home to our doggo, and we're not exaggerating at all. She's always on the bed, and as soon as we come in, she pins her ears back and starts smiling from ear to ear. The tail starts with a demure little wag, then as soon as we get closer, it moves to full-on body wiggles, a full-face cleaning from all the kisses, and then 5-minute minimum payment of belly rubs for our "abandoning" her all day. Don't even try and leave before your mandatory 5 minutes are fully paid; she gets very sassy if you don't pay in full. 

Every dog owner has a pawfectly unique greeting from their four-legged friends after being gone for a while. Some get so excited they have to bring them their favorite toy (or, in some silly scenarios, dirty laundry), some do literal happy dances, and some get the zoomies. No matter what, though, as long as they make the owners and puppers happy, it brings a smile to our faces. 

Pawrents everywhere shared their cutest canine stories of their pupper's "signature move" when greeting them after being gone, and it made us fall in love with doggos all over again. We never fell out of love, but if it was at all pawssible, we love them even more deeply than before.

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  • 01

    Just landed back home after a trip. My dog's reaction is peak happiness

    Dog licking owner's face including 'What's your dog's signature "I missed you" move?'
    via Helena Lopes from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Seriously, that frantic tail wag and the "I'm going to knock you over with love" jump is a welcome that can't be beat. I've been gone for 48 hours, and you'd think I was fighting in a war!
    via ManugballongssaBangs
  • 03
    Every dog has that specific, signature thing they do when you walk through the door. The full-body wiggle, the happy howl, the dramatic fake-pout, or maybe even a weird little dance. What is the one specific, adorable, and possibly
    via ManugballongssaBangs
  • 04
    embarrassing thing your dog. does when you finally come home? Mine does a little high- pitched squeak/scream combo that is deeply embarrassing but also instantly melts my heart. awwww! lol Hit me with your best "welcome home" stories!
    via ManugballongssaBangs
  • 05
    burnedimage My big boy gathers my dirty clothes out of the laundry room. He makes a pile in the living room and sleeps on it until I get home.
    via burnedimage

  • This is gross… and adorable. We understand why he does it, and it's so cute that we can't even get mad at him for doing it. He just misses his pawrent, and their dirty laundry is full of their smell! It must be annoying to clean up the dirty laundry every day, but each dog has their own quirks. Some things you just learn to live with.

  • 06
    Golden_Tyler_ My dog does this hilarious little zoom in, zoom out routine where he runs full speed toward me like he's gonna jump, then slams the brakes, spins in a circle, and does it again until he finally can't hold it in and just throws himself on my feet whining like he hasn't eaten in days. It's chaotic, loud, embarrassing, and honestly the best part of coming home every time.
    via Golden_Tyler_
  • 07
    Aint NoGobemouche One grabs a toy, the other grabs my wrist. They snort.
    via AintNoGobemouche
  • 08
    Puppy biting dog toy
    via Maikol Herrera ascencio from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    WiredNewt Mine grabs a toy or the nearest dirty sock and brings it to me.
    via WiredNewt
  • 10
    legendofdoggo My gsd/lab mix stands on her back legs and "hugs" me and cry/hops while trying to lick my face My cattle dog/pittie frantically and very excitedly chews on the closest bone while wagging her tail as fast as she can I love them
    via legendofdoggo
  • 11
    ComradeConrad1 She howls. Yep, head up and howls. She's always so glad to see me.
    via ComradeConrad1

  • We love a good howl. Our pupper only howls when an ambulance passes by, and we try to get it on camera every time. It's so unbelievably cute. How such a loud thing can come from such a tiny body, we'll never understand!

  • 12
    Helpful-Vegetable921 "Happy Flaps" She shakes her head in a 1, 2, 3 motion then does a spin
    via Helpful-Vegetable921
  • 13
    Competitive_Bid3847 My mastiff mix always grabs a toy and brings it to me when I come home. If I've been gone for more than 24 hours, there's a good chance he'll get so excited that he'll start air h ing.
    via Competitive_Bid3847
  • 14
    Simple-Fox6722 Always the same routine. Full body wiggle, nose in crotch, a couple of full on howls (woo woos) followed by a chest bump and kisses. Never fails to make me smile.
    via Simple-Fox6722
  • 15
    tokyo12345 mine goes on the bed and rolls belly up
    via tokyo12345
  • 16
    lilloulou14 As I park the car, Barbara looks through the railing on the deck, does her happy bark, runs to the bottom door, sees me, runs to the top of the stairs and when she sees me, spins around in a circle a few times. Then, she proceeds to launch herself at me (whether I'm ready or not) and shower me with licks.
    via lilloulou14
  • 17
    Every. Single. Time. (Including when I left for 37 seconds because I forgot my coffee).
    via lilloulou14
  • 18
    Its-alittle-bitfunny We have a GSD, so fairly vocal. Her little excited / happy whines are great
    via Its-alittle-bitfunny
  • 19
    Small dog howling
    via Merbe

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 20
    thexiaovillage Mine complains with a loud barking-and-howling and keeps at it for at least ten minutes, then tries to bite my nose for leaving him alone. He's a chihuahua.
    via thexiaovillage
  • 21
    QuillBlade Pug Zoomies around the coffee table
    via QuillBlade
  • 22
    Grammagree Mine has to gently hold my hand her mouth and walk with me; she is soooo wonderful!!!!
    via Grammagree
  • 23
    Midwestern_Mouse Mine squeals in a way I didn't think any dogs vocals cords were capable of and then goes to sit on the the couch, I go stand next to her, then she puts her paws up on my chest while I give her scritches...and if I try to move before she decides its time, she'll like wrap her leg around my arm to tell me we are not finished saying hello yet lol
    via Midwestern_Mouse
  • 24
    First_Pancake74 She runs to the door in her full body wiggle for some pets and then runs to her toy basket and looks in it for some reason, then runs back for more pets
    via First_Pancake74
  • 25
    Adept-Nobody-5759 My pug unhinges her jaw and screeches at an impossibly high frequency into my face for about 5 minutes
    via Adept-Nobody-5759
  • 26
    koig1314 Mine woooos in excitement while his tail and butt takes out any people or small tables nearby. He also gets a toy. presents it to you, still making wooooo noises, and prances until you pet him. He's a mastiff staffie cross so if he thinks it's not an appropriate amount of love he's receiving he'll try to sit in your lap. He is heavy as hell
    via koig1314
  • 27
    Suspicious_Tea_8651 Puts my arm in her mouth and just cries in excitement.
    via Suspicious_Tea_8651
  • 28
    Hail-to-the-Sheep Mine weaves through my legs (which is hilarious because he's a tall dog and I'm fairly short at 5'4"). Then he will bury his nose in my clothing or shove it against my skin and inhale. It's a little weird? but strangely endearing.
    via Hail-to-the-Sheep
  • 29
    Rude_Outlandishness1 Mine pees everywhere ره
    via Rude_Outlandishness1
  • 30
    thehufflepuffstoner Step 1: Acts excited. Gives you many kisses. Step 2: Remembers your abandonment. Ignores you. Cuddles with other parent more than usual.
    via thehufflepuffstoner
  • 31
    Step 3: Glares. Glares from hallway. Glares from other side of the couch. Glares whenever you have the audacity to do anything in her vicinity. Step 4: Requests highest value treat. Turns up nose at unworthy treats. Forgive and forget. I love her so much.
    via thehufflepuffstoner
  • 32
    StashBang Mine grabs a random shoe and does victory laps with it. No idea why but it kills me every time.
    via StashBang

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