Shelter Dog Loses Her Best Friend of 17 Years — Then Meets His Twin

For 17 long and joyful years, Romeo and Juliet were more than just companions — they were inseparable. They shared everything: from meals out of the same bowl to walks taken side by side. Their favorite time, though, was spent snuggled up close to one another. They were often piled together in a warm bed, one on top of the other. They sought the comfort only they could offer.

But after nearly two decades of togetherness, tragedy struck. Juliet lost her beloved Romeo. This left her without the one dog who had been by her side for most of her life. The caretakers at Vintage Pet Rescue are faced with a difficult question. They run the Rhode Island sanctuary for senior dogs where the pair had been living. The question is: How do you fill the void of a dog’s lifelong partner?

Romeo and Juliet had arrived at Vintage Pet Rescue earlier in the summer, following the death of their owner. Kristen Peralta, the founder of the rescue, was instantly struck by the tight bond between the two elderly dachshunds. “They were constantly snuggling up together and sharing beds,” Peralta told “Romeo would fall asleep first, and Juliet would often walk on top of him to find the most comfortable spot. It was heartwarming to watch how they cared for each other.”

However, just as the two were adjusting to life at the rescue, Romeo’s health took a sudden downturn. Once a dog who enthusiastically cleaned his plate, Romeo began losing interest in food. Peralta, fearing the worst, took him to the vet, where her suspicions were confirmed. Romeo’s stage two kidney failure had progressed. “His kidney values were so high that they couldn’t even be measured by the machine,” Peralta said. Knowing they had little time left, the staff made the heart-wrenching decision to let Romeo go peacefully. Juliet was there with him in his final moments.

Juliet returned to the rescue without her lifelong friend, surrounded by other senior dogs, but none could take Romeo’s place. That’s when Peralta had what she called a “silly” idea. “A few days after Romeo passed, I thought it might be helpful for Juliet to have something to cuddle with. It should remind her of him,” Peralta explained. She searched online for a stuffed dachshund and, by chance, found one that bore a striking resemblance to Romeo.

Though Peralta didn’t expect much from the stuffed toy, she was surprised by Juliet’s reaction. The little dachshund quickly took to her new plush companion. “I didn’t think she would respond to it, but I was happy she did,” Peralta said. “I know it’s not the same as Romeo, but it seems to bring her some comfort.”

Nowadays, Juliet can often be found curled up in her bed. She snuggles close to or even lies on top of the plush dachshund. She does it just as she used to do with Romeo. If you glance quickly, you might even mistake it for Romeo himself, back with his best friend. “She definitely enjoys cuddling with the toy. She’ll often climb on top of it like she did with Romeo,” Peralta noted.

At 17 years old, Juliet isn’t in perfect health herself. Peralta and the Vintage Pet Rescue team are doing everything they can. They want to make her final years as comfortable and happy as possible. “She’s such a sweet and happy girl,” Peralta said. “We just want to make sure she feels loved for as long as she has left.”

The story of Romeo and Juliet has touched many hearts. Photos and videos of the pair, along with Juliet’s newfound stuffed friend, have garnered attention online from dog lovers everywhere. The exposure has even led to a few potential adopters expressing interest in giving Juliet a forever home. “We’ve had a few people, including a volunteer, who are interested in adopting her,” Peralta said. “We’re hopeful she’ll have a new home in the next few weeks.”

Juliet may have lost her best friend, but she is far from alone. Juliet is surrounded by love and care. A community of supporters is cheering her on. She is entering the next chapter of her life with the same grace and sweetness she has always shown.