A recent viral TikTok video by Paandiyeraj Nedumaran is testament to this. It shows the 29-year-old's touching reunion with his two pet Goldren Retrievers, named Nala and Simba, in Johor, after he spent 486 days away at work in Singapore.
Paandiyeraj had been working in the warehouse manufacturing industry in Singapore the last eight years, during which time his childhood friend had been looking after his dogs in Masai, Johor. He had been unable to return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, until recently, when the Malaysia - Singapore border reopened on April 1.
"The last time I returned to Johor was during the end of 2020 - where my dogs saw me after eight months.
"This time I managed to head to Johor after the borders reopened, to reunite with my dogs," he told the portal.
According to him, one his dogs (Simba) managed to sense his presence as soon as he reached his friend's home on a motorcycle.
"I had not even removed my facemask but Simba knew that it was me, from the tone of my voice, and the sound of the motorcycle," he said, adding that his other pet, Nala, was also excitedly barking in the cage, waiting to greet him.
Paandiyeraj is elated to have reunited with his two "babies" after so long.
The video of the touching reunion has gone viral with more than 1.1 million views, since it was posted on TikTok April 2, and not surprisingly, neitzens are all hearts for the canines.
@paandichelsea Finally after 486 days….. I meet my babies Simba and Nala??☹️#goldenretriever #lehlusimbanala #singaporelockdownparithapangal #doglover #simba #Nala ♬ original sound - ?Paandi Chelsea?