A rescue golden retriever has left people in stitches after deciding that an early morning walk wasn’t worth his time, choosing instead to take himself home.
Penny France, 35, from Surrey, U.K. received a panicked phone call from her husband who had taken their 4-year-old pup, Brooklyn, to a nearby dog park.
“My husband took them out early [and] after about 20 minutes, my husband called me panicking, saying: ‘Brooklyn has walked off, he’s turned around and left the dog park, and I think he’s gone home,'” France told Newsweek.
Worried about Brooklyn, the owner glanced out of her window and saw her dog nonchalantly wandering back into the backyard, having navigated the half-mile journey home alone.
“I couldn’t stop laughing because he looked fuming to have been taken out for a walk so early,” France said. “He’s not a morning bird and likes a lay-in.”
@pennyfrance/TikTok
While Brooklyn might disagree, the American Kennel Club (AKC) says that adult dogs on average should be walked twice a day. Exercising dogs properly is essential for their health and happiness, offering not just exercise to keep them in shape but mental stimulation too.
“Exercise strengthens muscles and joints, keeps weight under control by burning calories, improves cardiovascular health, increases confidence and helps prevent boredom, anxiety and hyperactivity, which many dogs may convert to destructive behavior,” Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinarian of the American Kennel Club (AKC), previously told Newsweek.
France managed to capture the moment on camera in a video that has since gained viral attention on TikTok, leaving everyone in stitches.
The video gained over 450,000 views on TikTok since being shared earlier this week, and in the comments people shared their reactions.
“Oh my god my golden retriever used to do this if you told her off,” said viewer AJ.
While others shared their own similar stories of head-strong pups. TikToker oliviahanratty6 said: “My staffy used to do this you would take her for a walk then she would be gone just casually goes back home when she was done.”
“My childhood dog this did to my grandad when they went on an 8 hour walk,” Rich said. “She came home early because she had enough. He was so worried. Thought he lost her. She was a lab.”
“I found it so funny that I caught it on camera, I showed my friends at work and then thought I have to post this online,” France said. “I genuinely had no idea it would blow up as it has done. The reaction has been brilliant with some hilarious comments.”
This isn’t the first time a dog has decided to take themselves home. Last year a dog named Tank was so upset about being at a dog park he didn’t like that he proceeded to take himself home, carrying his own leash the whole way.
Do you have funny and 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.