Viral pet video ‘made my day’, says dog walker

A dog walker who featured on a video that has been viewed more than three million times on Instagram said its popularity had left him “lost for words”.

Ivan was walking his two English bulldogs King and Lucy in Willenhall Memorial Park in Walsall when he was stopped by a photographer.

Mark Butters, from Warwickshire, films strangers’ reactions as he asks them if they want a free pet portrait – but often the conversation turns to more than just dogs.

The video has received hundreds of thousands of likes, including from Khloe Kardashian.

“It made me laugh to think, ‘I don’t know The Kardashians but they know me!’ Ivan said.

“I was more surprised everyone understood my Black Country accent! I’m just lost for words to the response to be honest.”

Ivan said meeting Mr Butters had “made his day” because he could genuinely see his love for photography and dogs.

“He restored my faith in humanity, he gave his time to chat to me,” he added.

Ivan spoke candidly on the short video about losing his wife and youngest daughter in recent years to cancer, and how he had previously raised over £5,000 for Acorns Children’s Hospice by walking part of the Great Wall of China.

He also joked about living in “the old fashioned realm”, so it was one of his daughters who spotted the video on social media.

“When I was told there were people from New Zealand, Australia, Europe and USA who’d watched it and left such nice messages, I must admit, I was shocked but not surprised because King and Lucy are special dogs to me and the photos are beautiful,” he said.

Photographer Mr Butters said he never expected his videos to go viral, but knew when he spoke to Ivan, “that people would love him”.

Mr Butters, who works full time, hopes to one day turn his love of photography into a full-time venture.

“I am happiest with a camera in my hand and taking photos of dogs,” he said.

He added that he loved seeing people’s reactions, so decided to wear a GoPro camera and film it for his social media accounts.

“In day-to-day life I rarely speak to strangers, you never know what is going on in someone’s life,” he said.

He said approaching strangers had become easier and he hoped to continue the videos by going to more parks around the country and meeting new people.