Most dogs dread the car ride to the vet, viewing the clinic as a place of uncomfortable pokes and prods.
But for one tiny Dachshund mix in Chicago, a trip to the doctor quickly turned into an unexpected love affair.
Journie, a 16-pound pup with a personality much bigger than her size, became a viral sensation after developing a massive “crush” on vet nurse Rubén Colón during her very first visit.
Journie’s owner, Andrea Swindall, originally planned a simple introductory visit to Bond Vet in Chicago’s Gold Coast.
However, fate intervened when Journie suffered a wasp sting that quickly became infected, requiring an emergency visit.
What should have been a stressful experience for the little dog was instantly transformed into one of the sweetest moments of her life.
The moment Journie was in the room, she gravitated toward vet nurse Rubén Colón. The now-viral TikTok video perfectly captures the adorable scene.
Instead of trembling with fear, Journie is shown cuddled securely in Colón’s arms, her tail wagging furiously as she gazes up at him.
She stared at him with such intense adoration, the clip quickly went viral with thousands of views.
Andrea captured the sentiment perfectly in her video caption: “POV: When you don’t exist anymore because your dog is smitten with the vet nurse.”
Andrea, Journie’s owner, was completely charmed by her pup’s reaction.
She said Journie is usually a “ham” who loves attention, but even she was surprised by the depth of affection her dog showed.
“She was seriously in love,” Andrea told Newsweek. “The way she curled up in his arms and looked at him was the cutest thing. I’m happy she felt so safe.”
For vet nurse Rubén Colón, the moment was a beautiful confirmation of his career.
He explained that working with animals has always been his passion.
He noted that the viral moment “captured more than just a cute scene—it showed the trust and passion that really drives what we do.”
The internet exploded with reactions to Journie’s unapologetic crush.
Commenters joked that Journie had found a handsome new husband for her owner, while others pointed out that Andrea would “never have trouble taking her to the vet again.”
Journie’s story highlights the incredibly affectionate and bold nature of Dachshunds and their mixes.
Known for their charm—they rank high on the American Kennel Club’s most beloved breeds list—Journie’s antics remind us of the powerful, deep bonds dogs can form when they feel truly safe and cared for.
For Andrea, the greatest outcome wasn’t the viral fame, but the reassurance that her tiny pup, despite an injury, felt completely secure and maybe even a little in love at the clinic.
What started as a potentially painful trip turned into one of Journie’s most adorable milestones, proving that sometimes, all a dog needs is a safe pair of arms to fall head-over-paws.
That is the sweetest story I’ve seen, I had a dachshund/chihuahua a (chiweenie) who loved everyone always wanted to greet and be loved. She was loved by everyone here too. They couldn’t believe how calm and quiet she was, but also loved everyone she met. Maybe the only place she wasn’t happy was at the vet! ☺️