A dogs’ inquisitive nature makes them excellent detectives. But their curiousity can either lead to a special find or pure mischief. Still, it’s healthy to encourage their curiosity so long as no one gets hurt. A few weeks back, Drew Smith and Ruthie Johnson Smith noticed something odd in their backyard. The thick layer of vines that typically covered their fence had a noticeable gap. Day by day, the cleared area seemed to grow bigger, leaving them both puzzled.
Curious about what was happening, they began to observe the changes more closely. One afternoon, while Ruthie was out watering the garden, she discovered the culprit behind the disappearing vines: their dog, Caamp. The mischievous pup had been steadily tearing down the greenery to get a better look at Owen, the elderly dog who had just moved in next door.
What Drew and Ruthie didn’t realize at first was that Caamp and Owen had been bonding in secret. The two dogs had formed a sweet connection, meeting at the fence each day. Caamp had been methodically removing the vines to ensure they could see each other more clearly, wagging their tails in greeting. This simple yet touching gesture showed just how far Caamp was willing to go to get to know his new neighbor.
The Smiths were moved by their dog’s determination to make a new friend. They recorded one of these fence-side meetups and shared the heartwarming moment on Instagram. To their surprise, the post quickly garnered attention. People from all over couldn’t get enough of Caamp and Owen’s blossoming friendship and eagerly urged the Smiths to let the dogs play together. “Please, we need an update—let them meet!” one commenter wrote, while another joked, “Forget the vines! Take the whole fence down!”
Drew and Ruthie decided to share the video with Owen’s owners, who were equally surprised by the overwhelming support. The two dogs had briefly crossed paths while on leashes in the front yard, but now both families agreed it was time for a real playdate.
When Owen and Caamp finally met without the fence between them, it was as if they’d known each other forever. Despite the age difference—Caamp being under a year old and Owen much older—the two dogs played happily, their tails wagging in unison. “Owen had his helicopter tail going,” Drew told The Dodo. “It was clear he recognized Caamp from their meetings across the fence. He perked right up when they were finally together.”
What started as a simple canine friendship ended up bringing the two families closer as well. “It’s great how the dogs’ connection has led to a new bond between us and our neighbors,” Drew shared.
The man responsible is facing felony charges but must never be allowed to own or care for animals again.
Now, Owen and Caamp’s playdates are a regular occurrence, and the Smiths couldn’t be happier. “We’re hoping Owen can pass along some wisdom to our silly little pup,” Drew joked. It’s a heartwarming reminder of how dogs, with their genuine desire for companionship, can help build connections that go beyond the backyard fence.
Toledo, United States.
