Gabrielle Pelfrey, a resident of Dayton, Ohio, has a beagle named Winston who is very in tune with his emotions. Pelfrey adopted Winston six years ago and describes him as a sensitive little guy. Winston’s sensitive side often comes out when he is watching movies. Pelfrey noticed Winston engaging with the TV screen when she had it on while he was recovering from sickness as a puppy. The pup’s emotional response to certain movies became evident when he watched Disney’s live-action version of “The Lion King,” reacting to heartbreaking scenes and even barking at the villain on screen.
A video of Winston’s reactions to “The Lion King” went viral on TikTok, garnering over 7.5 million views on Pelfrey’s page. In the video, Winston appears saddened by certain scenes and even tries to attack the villain, causing Pelfrey to hold him back. Social media users found Winston’s response to be relatable, with some commenting on how their own pets react to movies. Pelfrey initially thought Winston’s behavior was normal until she shared it online, realizing that not all dogs have the same reactions.
Despite Winston’s unique movie-watching behavior, Pelfrey enjoys capturing and sharing his reactions with friends, family, and now, on social media. In addition to “The Lion King,” Winston enjoys watching movies like “101 Dalmations,” “Beethoven,” “The Grinch,” “Moana,” and “Homeward Bound.” Pelfrey notes that Winston seems to have a stronger emotional response to live-action films. Winston also has the ability to pick up on Pelfrey’s emotions and offer her comfort when she’s had a bad day at work. Pelfrey describes Winston as intuitive and special, bringing joy to her and her husband.
Pelfrey’s father initially didn’t believe her when she told him about Winston’s movie reactions until he witnessed them for himself. Since then, Pelfrey has enjoyed capturing Winston’s reactions and sharing them with others. Winston’s ability to connect with movies and offer comfort to his owner has endeared him to many viewers. Pelfrey is grateful that Winston can spread joy to others as he does for her and her husband. Winston’s unique personality and emotional intelligence have captured the hearts of many, making him a beloved companion and internet sensation.
