A stray dog has captured the hearts of TikTok users after being filmed offering leaves in exchange for food on a beach.
TikTok user Junno (@junnoreymarsiugnab) shared adorable footage of a golden retriever approaching his table repeatedly, each time with leaves in her mouth, seemingly offering them as payment for a bite to eat. The video has since garnered more than 188,000 likes and almost 1 million views on TikTok.
“This stray dog is paying me with leaves in exchange with food,” Junno wrote in text overlaying the video. “This cutie has a sense of currency,” he captioned the post.
In the footage, the dog can be seen presenting several leafy offerings from the sand, gently placing each one on the table in front of him before waiting patiently for a treat.
Feeding stray dogs can be a compassionate act, but experts advise doing so responsibly. The Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations say that providing food is safest when done with caution—ideally in a quiet, low-traffic area—and with clean, nutritious options such as kibble or cooked meat. Feeding strays regularly can help them trust humans, but it may also attract more animals, so ongoing care or partnering with local shelters is encouraged.
Interestingly, dogs have been known to engage in “bartering” behavior. Chasing Dog Tales says that some canines will bring toys, sticks, or other items to their humans in exchange for treats, affection, or playtime. This kind of trading is seen as a form of learned behavior, where dogs associate a specific action with a reward.
Stock image: A golden retriever lays on the beach next to a leaf.
David_Bokuchava/iStock / Getty Images Plus
The TikTok clip sparked an outpouring of affection in the comments section.
“Just imagine when he gives someone else a leaf and they don’t give food the dog is like ‘this scammer stole meh money!'” one user joked.
“To be fair, she did trade the BEST leafs she had,” posted Gavin.
“Look at her eyes, she is so sad and probably was mistreated,” wrote Laura.
“Get her a bacon burger,” another viewer commented.
“She can’t be a stray, she’s adorable,” added Emma.
“I think that payment was enough for a steak dinner,” shared another user.
Junno later replied to one viewer, adding: “She got a belly rub also as a change.”
Newsweek reached out to @junnoreymarsiugnab for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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