A toddler learning to care for her family’s cocker spaniel, Alba, has melted hearts all over the internet.
Madrid-based Denisse Coquet, who runs the Instagram account @alba.thecocker, shared the journey of teaching her daughter, Nina how to feed their dog on the social media platform.
“Alba is our first baby, so from the very beginning, we worked hard to ensure Alba and Nina bonded and had a healthy relationship,” the 33-year-old told Newsweek, adding that they couldn’t imagine a scenario where the two didn’t get along.
@alba.thecocker
In the viral clip, Nina, still mastering her coordination, can be seen ambling over to Alba’s bowl carrying a cup of kibble.
Although she initially struggles—spilling food all over the floor and missing the bowl entirely—Nina improves with each attempt and has now been promoted to Alba’s nightly feeder.
Coquet told Newsweek that caring for Alba was a gradual process for Nina, beginning with simple interactions such as petting and playing. As Nina grew, Coquet and her family introduced her to more active forms of care, starting with the simple task of giving Alba her food.
“We started by showing her how we did it—getting Alba’s food, taking it to her bowl, and pouring it, all with Nina by our side. At first, we gave her the cup near the bowl, and she would pour it all over the floor.
“The first ten or so attempts mostly resulted in food on the floor, but gradually, she started getting some of it in the bowl. She paused to think more, looked at the cup and bowl, and did it more carefully to try to get it right. That’s when we realized she was learning,” she said.
Coquet’s Instagram reel has clocked up one million views and counting, along with hundreds of users who admired Nina’s nightly routine of feeding Alba.
“The pause, very demure, very mindful,” one user commented, while another wrote, “This is our son’s daily job too!”
Nina is Alba’s biggest fan, wanting to play, share toys and even attempting to pick up the cocker spaniel (“Alba weighs several kilos more than Nina,” Coquet said).
Their bond is a special one and Nina’s nightly routine is the true meaning of practice makes perfect.
“In our family, taking care of one another is a form of love and how we show we care. It’s so sweet to see how their relationship changes as Nina grows, and each stage has its special moments,” Coquet said.
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