A video showing a dog’s valiant attempt to chase after a squirrel has gone viral, as the creature continued to evade the pup despite his best efforts.
User @scott1126 posted the clip on TikTok, showing his dog Murphy going in circles around a tree stump trying to catch the squirrel clinging to it. Though Murphy tried hard to capture the critter, it managed to stay out of sight and kept the dog guessing.
While recording the video, the poster said his dog had been going round in circles for several minutes and still couldn’t “figure out where the squirrel went.” Although Murphy couldn’t see the squirrel, his owner said he could smell it, so he knew it was “around somewhere.”
Since the video was shared on June 18, it has received 3.4 million views and more than 395,000 likes on TikTok, and social media users have been delighted by Murphy’s confusion.
Newsweek has contacted @scott1126 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
While Murphy’s chase may have made for an adorable video, it’s not uncommon for dogs to chase after squirrels and other small creatures. According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, it’s often a result of curiosity, playfulness or their predatory drive.
The company suggested that puppies are often fascinated by small critters that move swiftly, and they may see it as a game to chase after them. While chasing critters is a playful interaction for some dogs, others regard the small creatures as their prey, which they may chase after to catch and potentially kill.
Regardless of how they behave around small animals, Hill’s Pet Nutrition urges owners to watch what their dogs are doing and ensure they don’t run too far away. Despite the size difference, there is also a risk that the animal could fight back and bite the dog.
Dog breeds that are most likely to chase after squirrels include whippets, border collies, German shepherds, and Afghan hounds, the American Kennel Club said. It added that these dogs were bred to chase, or they have a hereditary drive to corral animals and chasing is in their nature.
A stock image showing a Jack Russell terrier chasing a squirrel around a tree. Social media users have been left in stitches by a dog named Murphy, who valiantly tried to catch a squirrel but remained unsuccessful.
alexei_tm/Getty Images
Since the video went viral, TikTok users can’t get enough of Murphy’s determination to find the squirrel, and the post has received more than 3,100 comments.
One viewer wrote, “This should be a cartoon!”
“That squirrel must have been a ninja in its past life,” another added.
“The dog is still there trying to work out where the squirrel is,” a TikToker wrote.
Another commenter said, “Murphy is definitely losing this game!”
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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