We are often told to put our cellphones away when spending time with loved ones so we can be present in the moment, and one TikTok video has shown that advice might apply to spending time with pets.
Reese, a rescue dog, has shattered TikTok users’ hearts with her reaction to her owners being on their phones.
On October 3, user @reesethesupermutt posted a video of the dog that has since gathered more than 584,000 views and 82,600 likes. It showed the canine sitting up—like a human—on the couch between her owners, with a sad facial expression and her ears pulled back.
Newsweek contacted @reesethesupermutt for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
Since dogs can’t speak, owners must be in tune with their body language to understand when they show signs of distress. The Spruce Pets, a vet-approved pet website, highlighted how a dog’s ear position could reflect its emotions.
Dogs tend to pull their ears back to signal fear or wariness, especially when combined with other fearful body language. However, if a dog pulls its ears back but not flattened against its head, that could mean it’s feeling content.
In 2018, a British newspaper reported that smartphones were making dogs sad, citing an expert. “We’re a nation obsessed by our mobile phones,” Iain Booth, a veterinary surgeon and the founder of VetUK, told Metro. “But this gadget dependence is jeopardizing the important relationships we have with our pets, particularly dogs and to a lesser extent house cats.”
He said dogs are pack animals that look to their humans for leadership and reassurance, so it’s no wonder Reese appears to be down in the dumps.
A stock image of a dog lying on a sofa. A rescue dog has made pet owners think twice about using their phones when they’re with their pets.
Chalabala/iStock / Getty Images Plus
The clip of Reese has received more than 1,000 comments, with many viewers expressing sadness at the dog’s reaction.
“Well, that’s the saddest thing I’ve seen all day!” one user wrote, while another said: “We put way too much time into these phones. That pup is feeling sad.”
The footage of Reese appears to have been a wake-up call to users, with some vowing to reduce their screen time and pay more attention to their pets.
“My baby does the same thing. I’m always quick to reassure her we see her, and she enjoys doing things with me—I mean EVERYTHING. They just wanna be a part of you,” one commenter wrote.
Another added: “This is so sad. I will try harder to stay present when my dog is around.”
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.
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