It started, as so many parenting stories do, with a quick dash to the bathroom. TikTok user @tacosallday had just stepped away when her baby began to cry. But by the time she returned, someone else had already answered the call — her 14-year-old dog named Lauren Conrad.
In the now-viral TikTok video, the senior rescue dog is seen trying to soothe the infant by gently licking her ear. The caption reads, “A momma is always a momma,” and that simple phrase struck a chord with viewers across the internet. What seemed like a small, tender moment became something much bigger — a reminder that care, comfort, and maternal instinct can come from the most unexpected places.
@tacosallday I was peeing when I heard the cries.. and Lauren Condrad our 14 year old chihuahua was trying to consul our 3 month old 🩵 . #mommasboy #mommadog #doglove #mommydog #dogmom #babyboymom #boyandgirlmom #dogsbestfriend ♬ original sound – Tacosallday
She heard the baby cry—and she answered
The video itself is barely a few seconds long, but it says so much. The baby is crying from a rocker seat, and Lauren Conrad, the tiny Chihuahua with a big heart, is right there beside her. She doesn’t bark or panic—she simply leans in and begins to lick the baby’s ear, the only way she knows how to comfort her.
It’s an earnest effort. She’s not mimicking humans or reacting for attention. This is instinct, plain and simple. When the baby continues to cry, the dog stays close, doing what she can. The mom, who has just returned, gently picks her up and moves her aside—but not without appreciation.
There’s something deeply touching about watching a senior dog, once a mother herself, try to step in again. No hesitation. No training. Just care.
Related: Mom films baby’s strange new habit—then realizes she’s copying the dog
The special bond between dogs and babies: What science says about their connection
The bond between animals and babies is rooted in instinct. Research has shown that dogs, especially, respond to high-pitched cries, which mimic the sounds of their own puppies. A 2017 study in Animal Cognition found that dogs are particularly sensitive to infant cries, often trying to comfort them as a result.
This behavior is driven by maternal instincts. Female dogs who’ve had litters of puppies tend to recognize distress and naturally want to help. Lauren Conrad’s gentle licking is a perfect example—it’s an instinctive action tied to her past experience of caring for pups.
But it’s not just mothers. Even non-maternal dogs show an ability to sense human emotions, with research from Frontiers in Psychology suggesting that dogs can pick up on distress signals and offer comfort. This ability to empathize makes animals uniquely attuned to the needs of babies.
In moments like this, we’re reminded that care isn’t limited by species. Animals, even in their later years, can offer love and comfort just as deeply as humans. And sometimes, that quiet act of care makes all the difference.
Related: Can dogs sense you’re pregnant? Here’s what science and pet experts say
Why a senior dog’s quiet act of care resonates with parents everywhere
The video sparked a wave of reactions from viewers, and it’s easy to see why. People were touched not only by the dog’s sweet, motherly behavior but also by how much they could relate to the moment.
Some viewers couldn’t help but add a bit of humor, drawing parallels between the dog’s efforts and the struggles of real-life parenting:
- @Amanda: “Once a momma always momma ❤️”
- @MW: “my dog does this to my other dog and our cat. she had a litter that got taken too soon at the rescue 💔”
- @MissJones✨: “She’s stressed out! The licks aren’t working 😭😭”
This 14-year-old Chihuahua proves that caregiving knows no limits
What makes this video so touching is how universally relatable it feels. In a world where we’re constantly juggling tasks, the idea of a caregiver stepping in—no matter how small, old, or unexpected—resonates with everyone. It’s a reminder that help can come from the most surprising places, often when we need it most.
For many parents, this moment represents the quiet, unsung heroism of motherhood. It’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up. Lauren Conrad doesn’t solve the problem. But her instinctive act of comfort is a symbol of care that resonates on a deeper, emotional level.
In today’s fast-paced, sometimes isolating world, moments of genuine connection and tenderness can feel rare. That’s why this simple video of a dog licking a baby’s ear became a viral sensation. People are craving warmth, reassurance, and the reminder that someone—or something—is always there when they need it most.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, what we see in this video isn’t just a dog trying to comfort a baby — it’s a reminder that caregiving comes in many forms. It doesn’t have to be perfect or even effective. What matters is the instinct, the willingness to show up and offer care, no matter the size, species, or age.
Lauren Conrad may not have stopped the crying, but she demonstrated something far more profound: the capacity to care doesn’t fade with age or experience. Even after years of motherhood, her heart still responds to those in need, even if they’re not her own.
In a world where it sometimes feels like we’re all just trying to keep up, it’s comforting to know that moments of pure, unspoken care still exist — from the most unexpected sources. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Sources:
- How pitch range affects dogs’ responses. Nature. 2021. “Effect of pitch range on dogs’ response to conspecific vs. heterospecific distress cries”
- How dogs respond to emotional sounds. Animal Cognition. 2017. “Investigating emotional contagion in dogs (Canis familiaris) to emotional sounds of humans and conspecifics”
- How human emotions affect dogs. Frontiers in Psychology. 2019. “Emotional Contagion From Humans to Dogs Is Facilitated by Duration of Ownership”