Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Brodie, a 6-year-old mixed-breed dog with an off-kilter snout, is winning hearts across the globe. With more than 1.6 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok, the quirky-looking pup has become an unlikely symbol of resilience, joy, and the beauty of imperfection.

Brodie’s journey, first reported by People, began at Old Macdonald Kennels, a rescue organization in Canada. As his owner Amanda Richter explained in her interview with the outlet, Brodie’s challenges started early when his mother bit him on the head at just two weeks old. The injury left him with a twisted snout and partial blindness in one eye.


Despite his unconventional appearance, Richter, a photographer, was captivated the moment she saw his photo online. “The moment I saw his picture on Facebook, I fell in love with his face,” Richter told People. She adopted Brodie the same day.



A viral masterpiece

Richter began sharing Brodie’s story on social media after fans from the shelter’s Facebook page asked for updates. As she explained to People, “I decided to do it because who doesn’t love taking pictures of their dog? And it just blew up.”

Today, Brodie’s unique look has earned him comparisons to a Picasso painting—a description Richter embraces. “He truly embodies Picasso’s artwork—everything’s slightly out of place and different and crooked,” she said in her interview. Brodie’s fans now include celebrities like Amanda Seyfried and Leona Lewis.

TikTok · Bestboybrodiewww.tiktok.com

His TikTok account, in particular, is filled with adoration from fans, whose comments range from heartfelt to funny:

  • Not to be dramatic but I would die for him” — Peyton
  • Protect this baby at all costs” — Polican124
  • im sorry but this is proof angels exist look at this adorable baby!!” — UntilDeathDoUsPart
  • He looks like a children’s drawing of a dog and that’s the cutest thing ever omg,” — shy
  • bro been chasing his tail for too long 😭🙏,” — Rishard

Even Brodie himself (via his account, Bestboybrodie) couldn’t help but respond with humor and gratitude: “🥺😩😭💖💖💖.”

Spreading joy and finding family

Through his social media stardom, Brodie has become a source of inspiration. “He’s a beacon of light,” Richter said in the People interview. His story has resonated with fans who find beauty in his differences.

Brodie’s fame even led Richter to adopt another special needs dog. In 2022, a follower alerted her to Raven, a mixed-breed dog in Texas with a similarly twisted snout caused by past abuse. While it took time for the two dogs to adjust, they eventually became inseparable. “They complete each other,” Richter shared. “They’re like yin and yang.”



A new adventure

At the end of 2024, Richter, Brodie, and Raven moved to Vancouver Island, where they continue to spread a message of resilience and acceptance. “Brodie has such a zest for life, he does not care what he looks like,” Richter said. “It’s okay to be imperfect and look different. You can still thrive.”

@bestboybrodie

Replying to @Lyndi ….I’m going to heck hahaha 😆🤣. He’s honestly perfectly imperfect in my eyes though 😌🥰


Brodie’s story is a nice reminder that life’s challenges can sometimes lead to something beautiful.

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

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
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
dog behavior, canine intelligence, dog trust, pet psychology, animal science, dog study, trust in dogs, Akiko Takaoka, Kyoto University, dog memory, lie detection

Dogs know when you're lying, and they're not ok with it.

Your dog knows when you’re lying, and they’re quietly judging you for it

Your dog isn't just watching your every move—they're judging them, too. According to research by Akiko Takaoka of Kyoto University , dogs are a lot better at reading human behavior than we give them credit for. In fact, they know when you're lying. And worse? They remember it.

The experiment that exposed canine trust issues

smart dogs, science of dogs, emotional pets, dog-human bond, trustworthy pets, dog betrayalThey've evolved with us, and dogs know our tricks. Canva

In a clever experiment involving 34 eager and unsuspecting pups, Takaoka and her team put canine social smarts to the test. The setup was simple: most dogs will follow a human’s point to find food. So, first, researchers pointed to containers with treats. The dogs eagerly trotted over, rewarded with snacks and tail wags.

Keep ReadingShow less
A snarling cat and a list of pets from Instagram.

Representative Image: Don't let that face fool you, this guy is a teddy bear.

Their love story includes a deer, a pit bull, and 43 goldfish

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.

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

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