For dog lovers, a furry companion isn't just a pet—they’re family. And for one lucky golden retriever named Arthur, that love expanded even further when he received an endearing letter from a young neighbor.
Troy, a 10-year-old boy with a big heart, reached out to Arthur’s owners—two moms—with a handwritten note that was too sweet for words. Written in red and blue markers, the letter read:
"Hello neighbor, my name is Troy. I am in 4th grade and I’m just wondering if maybe after this virus, you need a dog sitter, and if so then I can take your dog on walks and more."
— Troy
Touched by the gesture, Arthur’s owners shared the note on his Instagram account, @arthurthefloof, along with a playful caption from Arthur’s perspective:
"I made friends with a small hooman today. He’s like basically me-sized. I bet I can get him to give me more treats than my hoomans."
That single post melted hearts across the internet, and soon, Arthur became a social media sensation.
A friendship is born
People flooded the comments, not just gushing over Troy’s adorable offer but also admiring Arthur’s undeniable charm. It wasn’t long before the two new pals got to meet in person—safely, of course.
Arthur’s Instagram kept fans updated with what they called "pupdates," sharing glimpses of his adventures with Troy. In one post, Arthur’s owners teased their followers:
"Guess who’s meeting Troy today?"
Later, they confirmed that the meeting went well, though out of respect for Troy’s privacy, no pictures were shared. Instead, they recounted the moment through Arthur’s playful voice:
"Me and the smol neighbor had a really great (socially distant) playdate today... I have a feeling we’re gonna be best buds!"
— @arthurthefloof
From that moment on, Arthur and Troy were inseparable—at least as much as they could be under pandemic restrictions.
Arthur’s rise to fame
Arthur’s Instagram, already a source of joy for his owners, quickly gained traction. People fell in love with his charming posts, which chronicled everything from his walks on the beach to his adventures through the forest. One particularly delightful post described an unexpected encounter during a stroll:
"Having the best day! Took a walk in the middle of the street and met some kids with water guns who gave me a little bath."
Arthur’s account also featured his adorable moments with Dwight, a fluffy chocolate-brown dog who often appeared in his pictures. Fans couldn’t get enough of his wholesome content, and his following only continued to grow.
But perhaps the most bittersweet update came when Arthur’s family announced they were moving to Utah. Before saying goodbye, Troy and Arthur got to spend more time together, making the most of their friendship. Reflecting on the beautiful memories, Arthur’s owners wrote:
"Thanks to my pal down the hall, I made so many internet frens this year... This will always be our fav quarantine memory."
— @arthurthefloof
A pup who made it big
Arthur’s lovable personality and growing online presence even landed him a feature in Time magazine. His owners shared the exciting news with a tongue-in-cheek post:
"So excited to announce I’ve been named @time’s Person of the Year!"
It’s safe to say Arthur left a lasting impression, not just on Troy but on thousands of people around the world who followed his journey.
Because, as every dog lover knows, having a pup is pure joy. And in Arthur’s case, that joy was multiplied through the kindness of a little boy who just wanted to be his friend.
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Dogs need to relearn, too.
I'm not crying, you are.
@DittaWiggles on TikTok
What could be the cause?
Bobbi to the rescue! 