For 17 years, Romeo and Juliet were inseparable. They ate out of the same bowl, walked side by side and spent hours cuddling — one on top of the other — warm in bed.

But after nearly two decades together, Juliet lost her Romeo, and the caretakers at Vintage Pet Rescue were faced with an impossible question: How do you replace a dog’s other half?

Romeo and Juliet came to the Rhode Island sanctuary for senior dogs early in the summer after their owner passed away. Kristen Peralta, the rescue’s founder, was immediately touched by the bond the two wobbly, gray-faced dachshunds shared.

“They were constantly snuggling up together and sharing beds,” Peralta told The Dodo. “Romeo would fall asleep first, and Juliet would often walk on top of Romeo to get the most comfortable position. They were always sniffing each other‘s ears, and it was very sweet to watch them interact.”

The dogs were settling into their new life when Romeo’s health took a turn. The pup, who used to be a card-carrying member of the clean plate club, was no longer interested in food. Peralta feared his stage two kidney failure had progressed.

“When we took him to our vet, his kidney values were so high that they were not able to be read on the machine,” Peralta said. “We were heartbroken, but we knew the kindest thing for him was to say goodbye. We brought Juliet with us so she could be there.”

Juliet returned home that day to a rescue full of senior dogs, but none of them could fill the space Romeo left behind. That’s when Peralta had a “silly” thought: “A few days after Romeo passed, I just thought it might be helpful if Juliet had something to cuddle with that reminded her of Romeo,” Peralta said. “I actually just searched online for a stuffed dachshund, and one of the first ones that came up looked very much like Romeo, so it was kind of perfect.”

“I did not think she would really respond to it, but I was happy that she did,” Peralta added. “I know it’s not a Romeo replacement, but it seems to bring her some comfort.”

Now, most days, Juliet can be found in her dog bed huddled close to or on top of a plush black and brown life-sized dachshund toy. Squint and you might think Juliet had reunited with a young Romeo.

“Juliet seems to enjoy cuddling with the toy and will often crawl on top of it like she did with Romeo,” Peralta said. “Juliet is 17 and she definitely isn’t in perfect health, so we just want to make her feel comfortable and happy for as long as she has left.”

The photos and videos of Juliet and Romeo shared online have attracted attention and touched the hearts of dog lovers — possibly leading to a new forever home for the elderly dachshund.

“We actually have a few people interested in adopting Juliet, including a volunteer,” Peralta said. “Hopefully, she will be in a new home within the next few weeks.”

Juliet has always been a lucky girl — she was able to grow old with her best friend, and now has an entire community cheering her on in her next chapter.

“She is such a sweet and happy girl,” Peralta said. “And she deserves all of the love and attention.”

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Source: New York Post