A hilarious video of a golden retriever that insists on sitting in the front passenger seat of cars has delighted viewers on TikTok.
The clip, posted by @louisthegoldenretriever, the TikTok account of a golden retriever named Louis, has captured the hearts of thousands, racking up over 292,000 views since its posting on October 29. A note overlaid on the video humorously describes the scene: “POV [point of view]: Your golden is a passenger princess.” Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
The footage begins with a view through the window of a home, showing Louis contentedly sitting in the front seat of a moving car. The golden retriever is subsequently seen in this prime position in another vehicle, this time adorably clutching a teddy bear in its mouth. The charming clip concludes with Louis resting its chin on the edge of an open car window, enjoying the sights and sounds outside.
The golden retriever’s apparent need to be in the front seat may be down to a close bond shared with its owner and the desire to always be within close proximity.
The inseparable bond between a pup and its owner is understandable because “dogs can form relationships of comparable qualities with both humans and other dogs,” noted a March 2019 study published in Scientific Reports. It added that “these relationships vary along multiple components across different partners.”
According to a May 2013 study published in PLOS One, the unique relationship between adult canines and their owners “bears a remarkable resemblance to an infant attachment bond: dogs are dependent on human care and their behavior seems specifically geared to engage their owners’ caregiving system.”
Viewers on TikTok were thoroughly entertained by Louis’ preference for the front seat, with many sharing their joy and related experiences in the comments.
The Plug Drink wrote, “The prettiest passenger princess there is,” and Peach posted: “Omg [oh my God] stop this is the cutest.”
User lolnihearga commented: “Our golden is exactly the same in my husband’s van. he has to bring her for a spin every day.”
Heather Meredith added: “That’s mine. our neighbors laugh because when we go golf cart riding I drive, she rides [in the] passenger [seat] and we make Dad ride on the back.”
Some viewers were momentarily startled, mistaking Louis for the driver, such as Maria who wrote: “Why did I think the dog was driving the car.”
Piccolo Panini Bar posted: “The way my heart sunk for 0.5 seconds thinking the dog was driving.”
Shania W commented: “The way it seriously looks like she’s the one reversing.”
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