A dog staring at a grassy hill in the distance has TikTok users wondering whether she remembers what happened there when it was covered in snow.
User @lukekevesdy was enjoying an autumn hike with his dog, Roo, when she stopped and stared intensely, perhaps trying to pinpoint where she had seen that same slope before.
But the owner realized she wasn’t confused. Instead, she looked longingly at the hill. He wrote on the video: “I think she remembers.”
It dawned on him that she knew that hill well, although it looked different in the fall. The dog remembered the slope when it was covered in snow and the two went for a sledding adventure.
The October 5 TikTok video shows Roo looking at the hill covered in grass. Then it switches to the memory she was likely thinking about. The user zooms down the hill on a sled, with Roo chasing right behind the whole way down.
The caption reads: “They cherish the adventures too.”
A TikTok video shows a dog looking at a grassy hill. The owner believes the dog remembers the spot because they once went sledding down the hill.
@lukekevesdy/TikTok
The clip has over 1.4 million views as of Tuesday. TikTok users quickly agreed that the dog clearly remembered the previous time she was at that same spot.
“She’s thinking to herself: ‘I know I could still do it,'” said one viewer, while a second commented: “Dogs really do teach you to stop and smell the flowers.”
Another pointed out: “If dogs have the mental capacity to understand the beauty of a sunset then I am positive they can sit and ponder on old memories like this too.”
Someone else wrote: “I love seeing animals remember places. Like when the car goes over a certain bump they know they’re home. Or when they smell a certain thing they know they’re visiting friends.”
Newsweek reached out to @lukekevesdy via TikTok for additional comment.
What Do Dogs Remember?
Dogs prove their intelligence day in and day out by remembering mealtimes, specific walking routes and friends or family members who might stop by to say hello. But how far do their memories extend?
Studies have found that dogs have associative memories, allowing them to remember people, places or experiences based on associations, the website Hepper says. Their association through sight and smell helps them recall past experiences or memories, which can ultimately shape their behavior and learning patterns. For example, if you grab the dog’s leash and your shoes, it will most likely know that means it’s time for a walk.
The American Kennel Club reported the findings of a groundbreaking study in Budapest, Hungary, that found dogs can also have episodic-like memories. It was previously believed that episodic memories were unique to humans, but the research debunked that theory. In the study, dogs used episodic-like memory to repeat their owner’s actions, showing that they can do more than live in the moment.
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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