Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Romance doesn’t always come in the form of roses and chocolates. For one extraordinary couple, love took the shape of a deaf pit bull, a reverse-running racehorse, and even a tarantula. Their bond was filled with laughter, compassion, and an ever-growing roster of adopted animals that made their house a home.

Gallusrostromegalus shared the heartwarming list of animals on Tumblr, and it’s safe to say it has enchanted thousands. From wild to whimsical, each animal in their 67-year marriage added something unforgettable to their shared life.


Love in every form—animal and otherwise

Representative Image: This icon of nature knew who to turn to for treats and for head scratches.Massimo Catarinella

At the top of the list was Annabell, a white pit bull who happened to be deaf—and also happened to be a canvas for grandma’s doodles. She let the kids draw on her belly like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"This should be a Disney movie."

— @botaniq_100

Then there was Benny, described as a “genuine thoroughbred racehorse” and a “spectacular athlete,” who preferred running races in reverse. Eventually, he found his calling as a peaceful trail horse—proof that sometimes greatness looks like trotting in the opposite direction.

The couple’s sense of humor was as strong as their love. Grandpa’s naming conventions for their dogs seemed to climb the military ladder: first came “Captain,” then “Major,” and finally “Colonel”—all cocker spaniels with very distinct personalities, including one with an inexplicable talent for silently eating green beans.

Other creatures joined the pack, each more eccentric than the last. A bald canary that only sang at 4 a.m., a snapping turtle sharing a tub with 43 rescued goldfish, and Mr. Grumpity, a massive toad saved from a factory who guarded grandma’s roses like royalty.

Representative Image: You see a cute pitty, but one family saw a willing canvas.GrandCelinien

"Find you a man like this."

— @reneeowl

There was a hawk that Grandpa rescued, nursed back to health, and released. A squirrel that grew up inside and refused to return to the wild. And Spooky, the mysterious dog that no one could quite figure out—but who was, undeniably, part of the family.

In his final years, Grandpa made a new friend: a 12-point buck named Florence who came to the window of his nursing home daily for corn and affectionate head scratches.

Grandma’s equal love for the unconventional

While Grandpa brought home most of the animals, Grandma had her moments too. Her standout? A pet tarantula. It was just one more sign that these two were perfect for each other in every strange and wonderful way.

They didn’t just accept animals into their home—they built their love story around them. Each tail-wagging, feather-fluffing chapter added joy and richness to their shared life.

"The marriage I hope to have one day, but at this point probably won’t last as long."

zoodr2b

A love that leaves a lasting legacy

Their marriage ended only when life did, leaving behind a legacy that extended far beyond each other. Their love for animals became a way of life—one that resonated with thousands of strangers online.

Representative Image: When you live in a virtual menagerie, why not throw in a giant spider?Ceving

This story, at once hilarious and touching, reminds us that great love isn’t only about dramatic gestures or fairy tale moments. Sometimes, it’s about finding joy in rescuing goldfish from a fair, laughing at a dog who runs races backward, and knowing your partner won’t bat an eye when you bring home a tarantula.

Because in the end, love—real love—is about choosing each other again and again… whether it's over a cocker spaniel named Colonel or a rose garden protected by a toad named Mr. Grumpity.

More For You

A dog sits behind a decorative wrought iron grate looking lite she's doing time.

Aria might look like she's doing hard time, but she's just checking out the world.

livinginbellasworld

A man checked on his neighbor’s dog—and the doorbell cam caught something beautiful

A quiet act of kindness has gone viral after a doorbell camera captured an older man checking on a neighborhood dog he hadn’t seen in a while. The footage, originally shared to Instagram and TikTok, documents a touching exchange between the man—identified only as Ted—and the dog's owner. His simple gesture reminded thousands of the unexpected but powerful connections we form through our pets.

Ted appears on the video visibly nervous, gently knocking and saying, “Hi, um, I used to walk my dog along here, and I used to say hello to the German Shepherd that was here… I just wanted to make sure she's okay.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Owners couldn't figure out why their cat avoided its bed. Then they saw the security footage.
Reddit

Owners couldn't figure out why their cat avoided its bed. Then they saw the security footage.

A 22-second black-and-white video posted to Reddit is quietly taking over the internet’s collective heart—and it’s easy to see why. In the short clip, a curious cat hops up onto a toddler’s bed in the middle of the night. The child stirs slightly, then instinctively reaches out, grabs the cat, and pulls it in for a snuggle. The cat, unfazed and clearly used to this nightly ritual, closes its eyes and settles in.

  Reddit

Keep ReadingShow less
Owners couldn't figure out why their cat avoided its bed. Then they saw the security footage.
Reddit

Owners couldn't figure out why their cat avoided its bed. Then they saw the security footage.

A 22-second black-and-white video posted to Reddit is quietly taking over the internet’s collective heart—and it’s easy to see why. In the short clip, a curious cat hops up onto a toddler’s bed in the middle of the night. The child stirs slightly, then instinctively reaches out, grabs the cat, and pulls it in for a snuggle. The cat, unfazed and clearly used to this nightly ritual, closes its eyes and settles in.

Reddit

Keep ReadingShow less
Hero dog senses danger and locates missing toddler in seconds
Representative photo by Canva

Hero dog senses danger and locates missing toddler in seconds

A golden retriever named Zoie is being hailed as a hero after helping locate a missing toddler in Lebanon, Tennessee. The alert came not from a person—but from Zoie, who startled her owner, Brad Schofro, by barking nonstop while staring out the front window of their home. It was uncharacteristic behavior for the quiet pup.


Keep ReadingShow less
A dog sits behind a decorative wrought iron grate looking lite she's doing time.

Aria might look like she's doing hard time, but she's just checking out the world.

livinginbellasworld

Doorbell video captures man’s unexpected act of kindness for neighbor’s dog

A quiet act of kindness has captured hearts online, thanks to a doorbell camera recording of a man checking on a neighbor's dog after noticing her absence during his walks. The video, shared on Instagram and TikTok, reveals a touching interaction between the man, Ted, and the dog's owner, showcasing the unexpected yet meaningful connections that animals can inspire in a community.

Ted begins by explaining his concern. "Hi, um, I used to walk my dog along here, and I used to say hello to the German Shepherd that was here," he says, sounding slightly nervous. "I just wanted to make sure she's okay."

"I just wanted to make sure she's okay."

— Concerned neighbor
Keep ReadingShow less