Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A dog owner has shared how her heart melted when she found out the reason her dog’s best friend loves to lick his ears.Sara Kourtesis from Newport, Rhode Island, shared a video on Instagram of her 11-month-old Labrador retriever Marlin and his best friend, Klaus. In the video, Klaus is showing off his signature move—licking his best friend Marlin’s ears.Marlin and Klaus have been inseparable since Marlin was 12 weeks old, and the ear-licking has been a consistent part of their interactions. “I thought it was so sweet and made sense since these two are practically brothers,” Kourtesis told Newsweek.Wondering why Klaus loves to lick her dog’s ears so much, Kourtesis did a Google search and was amazed by what she found. In the post she shared: “A dog licks another dog’s ears primarily as a form of social grooming and communication, signifying affection, acceptance within the pack and a close bond between the two dogs.”
Screenshots of Marlin’s BFF Klaus licking his ears. Marlin’s owner was amazed when she Googled the reason Klaus licks Marlin’s ears.
Screenshots of Marlin’s BFF Klaus licking his ears. Marlin’s owner was amazed when she Googled the reason Klaus licks Marlin’s ears.
@good_boy_marlin/TikTok
Delighted by the fact she found online, Kourtesis added in the caption: “Brb crying in the club.”Wendy Diamond, a dog behavior expert and the founder and chief pet officer of Animal Fair Media Inc., told Newsweek: “Dogs are extremely social, and licking is one of their primary ways of communicating. When a dog licks another dog’s ears, it’s often a sign of affection and trust. Dogs tend to lick each other in areas that are hard to reach, like the ears. This interaction strengthens their bond and shows they are comfortable with each other.”Diamond explained that where both dogs are relaxed and happy, ear licking is most likely a sign of close puppy friendship, but she did add that there are some cases where it could indicate something else.”If one dog seems annoyed or if the licking becomes obsessive, it might be worth consulting a veterinarian to ensure there isn’t an underlying medical issue, like an ear infection, that’s attracting the attention,” she said.In the comments on the Instagram video, people shared their reactions.”We have a momma son duo who LOVE to clean each others’ ears and face. Mom just started doing it as I type,” said one viewer.While another said: “Omg so beautiful our Spaniel does this to our older dog every single day.”Other commenters wondered if there might be another reason for the licking: “My dogs do this. I asked the vet, and he said it’s because they can smell yeast in each other’s ears and they like to lick it,” said one commenter.Another said: “Means your dog has too much yeast in his ears but your story is cuter.”Kourtesis was caught off guard by some of the responses to her post. While many viewers found the video heartwarming, others criticized her.”I was pretty bothered at first,” she said. “The internet always finds a way to turn something innocent so negative.”Kourtesis clarified that the video was meant to be lighthearted and that Marlin clearly enjoys the interaction. “It’s a vulnerable posture for a dog, so to me, that conclusion made sense,” she said.Despite some backlash, Kourtesis has focused on the positive impact of her post. “I’m glad it touched people and maybe helped them connect with their pets. It’s nice to see so many sharing their own stories about their dogs’ quirks and bonds.”Do you have funny or adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.
