While riding a ferry in Queensland, Australia, a dog named Astro noticed another “good boy” on the same boat and decided to befriend him. Their interaction in a viral TikTok clip has melted hearts among social-media users.
The video, shared on Sunday under the username @experiment_6_2_6_, shows the pup sitting with his owner, wearing a muzzle for safety, as the ferry is full of people. Opposite him, a similar-looking dog is also sitting there with a muzzle.
As soon as the pup sees his canine look-alike, he immediately tries to befriend him, waving his little paw at him as if trying to say “hi.”
“Sees another good boy on ferry. Little wave,” reads layover text in the clip. A caption says: “The little wave I’m cryinggg. My account is basically AstroTok at this point.”
Dogs are social creatures, and so if you live in a one-dog household, this clip might make you wonder whether your pup actually needs a playmate to thrive.
An article, medically reviewed by Dr. Lorna Whittemore, for pet-wellness website Hepper, says that, while dogs do not necessarily have the need to play with other canines, they can benefit greatly from spending time with them.
Spending time with other dogs not only helps your pup learn social cues that they might otherwise never learn, but it also allows them to burn excess energy in a way that you are unlikely to provide.
However, not all dogs like other canines, and while it is normal for some, you can ask your veterinarian or animal behaviorist for help socializing them.
When getting a playmate for your dog, you should consider certain aspects of their personality, for example, their play-style and their activity level, to find the canine companion that most matches their energy.
A Dogster article medically reviewed by Dr. Chyrle Bonk, says you should also consider your dog’s size, as, sometimes, bigger canines may not know how to interact safely with smaller ones.
Moreover, you should observe your pup’s behavior around the new friend; if they display resource guarding behavior, you should avoid making them share toys or treats. A veterinarian or dog behavior expert can help address the issue.
Stock image: A dog stands on a boat deck, looking at the sea.
getty images
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 4.2 million views and more than 1 million likes on the platform.
One user, Thomas Jenkins, commented: “You tell your human it’s ok and I’ll tell my human it’s ok and then we can play.”
Katie Bug Odle posted: “Awe! My dog whines and whines then howls at me when I don’t let them introduce themselves.”
Jona Smith added: “Don’t you guys think the fact the dog waved is kinda incredible?”
Newsweek reached out to @experiment_6_2_6_ for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
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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