This Golden Retriever and Her Unusual Best Friend Are Melting Hearts
Friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and apparently, species.
David Buck (@davidbuck935 on TikTok) took to social media to share the sweet (but honest, kind of shocking!) friendship between his Golden Retrieverand a duck at their local pond. Riley, his excitable Golden, bolts and leaps to the pond to be able to greet her quacking bestie, and the videos are nothing short of adorable.
@davidbuck935 original sound - davidbuck935
In several videos on TikTok, Riley can be seen cuddling and playing with her duck friend. The duck is even comfortable enough to jump onto the Golden Retriever's back. Their relationship is so fun and sweet, and commenters cannot get enough of the two.
"If that duck had arms it would absolutely hug the crap out of your dog."
"Ok I'm sorry I'm in love! This is true love!"
"We need a children's book about these two!"
David confirmed in comments that the two didn't always get along, but now they're so close he hilariously joked that he has to retire Riley from the title of being a "duck dog."
How Cross-Species Friendships Form Between Animals
Interspecies friendships (bonds where animals aren't the same species) don't often occur in the wild, but can happen with domesticated animals or other creatures in captivity. Whether through imprinting or simply spending lots of time together, friendships and closeness can happen between different species. Through familiarity and wanting companionship, animals can become friends and it's really remarkable to witness. Aside from domestic pets like Riley, some famous cross-animal bonds include cheetahs and dogs, and a trio of a bear, lion, and tiger who were rescued and lived together at Georgia's Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary.
There are dozens of videos of Riley and her duck friend on her human's social media. Their bond is so sweet and hopefully they'll have several more years playing and romping around together.
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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 12:49 PM.