Our furry and feathered friends can feel loss just as much as, or more than, we do. After losing a loved one, sometimes we try to help them ease that loss by introducing a new friend for them to share their time with. Doing so, can help them heel and maybe even form another strong bond with their companion.
Harmony Hill Farm Sanctuary (@harmonyhillfarmsanct) is a nonprofit that provides a home for neglected and abandoned animals. They shared their attempts to help one male turkey who’d lost someone very special. In the TikTok video, the sanctuary set up a little meet-cute for this turkey with a hen, and their first interaction will have you in your feelings.
This sweet intro is the beginning of a beautiful bond! The sanctuary explained in the video post caption they were, “[r]eposting this beautiful turkey moment from two years ago when Johnny met June for the first time.”
According to them, Johnny had been having a hard time grieving. They went on to add, “This happened during Johnny’s deep depression after losing the love of his life and beautiful companion, Red.”
But this meeting had a big impact on him. The video captures the moment Johnny meets June, and it’s clear that Johnny is excited to make a new friend. In the background of the video, you can hear some one saying that this was “one of the first times he’d puffed since Red had been gone.” And it’s a pretty big deal when turkeys puff out their feathers or strut.
Related: Bird Flock ‘Coming in to Say Goodbye’ to Ailing Parrot Will Make You Sob
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
What Does It Mean When Turkeys Strut?
There are a few reasons why turkeys strut. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service notes that they make a show of displaying their feathers to attract the attention of hens like June. Another reason may be to scare off threats.
In this situation, it’s easy to see Johnny is trying to impress June. And commenters couldn’t stop talking about Johnny’s strut. “He came dressed in his tuxedo and carrying a corsage,” joked @tickytackittycat. And @mzkittymeow794 chimed in, “Look at him strutting his stuff for her!” Yes, indeed!
After losing a loved one, it’s a positive sign to see Johnny being open to meeting someone new. In the caption, the sanctuary added, “This still brings a tear of joy.” And we’re so happy that they decided to share this beautiful throwback moment with us.
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.