Intelligence in dogs isn't always a given, and we can't all get Lassie levels of cleverness in our pet. One puppy that makes up for a possible lack of intelligence with complete cuteness is Winston the golden retriever.
In a viral TikTok video, with over 577,000 views and posted by Heather Askew, Winston can be seen sitting in the front yard simply observing the world with his "fake friends," which are actually garden ornaments shaped like a golden retriever puppy and a bird.
"Winston really thought they were real," Askew, 51 from Forest Hill, Maryland, told Newsweek. "He would sniff the statue of the dog and watch it for a big part of the day, but he's adapted to knowing they won't play back."
"I don't have the heart to tell him all his friends are fake," an onscreen caption on the video reads.
"You need to get him a real best friend right now poor baby," commented one user, to which @goldenmom72 replied: "He has a big brother Jax," another golden retriever.
While Winston looked like he was enjoying his time with his "fake" friends, TikTok users were relieved to find out he had a real pal in Jax.
Newsweek spoke to Dr. Patrik Holmboe, a veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, about why two dogs are better than one for everyone involved.
"Dogs are pack animals, and so having more individuals in the pack (and particularly more dogs) can help dogs feel safer and more comfortable," said Holmboe. "Having two dogs allows them to provide more physical exercise for each other! It is very likely that the dogs will play with each other more than you're able to play with them—and in general, the more physical exercise, the better!"
"Winston learns so much from his big brother Jax, and Jax depends on Winston for companionship," said Askew. "We had three and two passed away a few weeks apart leaving Jax alone and scared. Winston showed him the way again to love and happiness after sudden loss. He showed all of us. Everyone, human or animal needs companionship in life."
Puppies can learn a lot from an older dog, including skills and how to behave.
"Having multiple dogs allows them to teach each other good manners and behaviors—such as calm interactions, sharing toys and sleeping spaces, and good interactions around food," added Holmboe. "This does of course depend on the owner initially policing these interactions and making sure things are going well initially."
Users on TikTok loved the cute video.
"Omg the way he just sits with them, too sweet," said one user.
Multiple users admitted that like Winston, it took a minute for them to realize the garden ornament wasn't real.
"I'm no better than the dog lol I thought the first pics was two of them," commented a user. "To be fair I thought the dog statue was real for a second," said a second.
Newsweek has reached out to @goldenmom72 via TikTok for comment.
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.
Update 06/19/23 at 3:35 a.m. ET: This article was updated to add further comment.
Correction 06/20/23 at 3:20 a.m. ET: The name in the photo caption was corrected.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Leonie Helm is a Newsweek Life Reporter and is based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on all things ... Read more
