A golden retriever owner has told Newsweek why her delightful dog is a bit dozy at playing fetch, as shown in her hilarious TikTok video when he makes a classic blunder.
Footage shows Dexter playing with his friend, Emilia, and as the game progresses, the inevitable happens … he gets distracted and takes his eye off the ball.
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"Although 'retriever' is in the name of Dexter's breed, he's more [of] a bronze retriever and not the best at dropping the ball either," said owner Emma Graves.
Just as Dexter returns to Emilia for another throw, he looks up towards the person filming for a moment and, seizing her opportunity, Emilia has a bit of fun with her furry friend instead.
"Emilia loves to play fetch with him, so as soon as Dexter got distracted, she ran off with it, but she was so fast he didn't even notice she took the ball and was very confused," added Graves, who lives in the UK.
Dexter, realizing too late that he has lost sight of the ball, wags his tail and follows his nose desperately looking for a clue.
The perplexed golden retriever is utterly bewildered, before eventually turning around and seeing Emilia by her backyard slide, his beloved ball in hand.
The video, uploaded from Dexter's TikTok account (@itsgoldendexter), became a source of entertainment for hundreds of other users who couldn't get enough of his adorable attempt to find the ball and Emilia's playful antics.
Graves told Newsweek that Emilia and Dexter are best friends, and she's his biggest fan since creating his TikTok account.
"She watches every video and giggles at how silly he can be and we even made her a calendar featuring Dexter, which she loves."
Graves uploaded a video of the little girl's delighted reaction upon receiving the calendar, giving his photograph a kiss.
Golden retrievers are renowned for their friendly and tolerant temperament, making them one of the most popular family dog breeds worldwide.
According to statistics from Statista, the golden retriever was the most popular dog breed in the U.S. in 2009 and the third most popular in 2015 and 2022.
Golden retrievers are also described as gentle and patient, traits that are especially beneficial in households with young children.
Speaking to the reaction online, Graves told Newsweek: "I always find it so surprising when simple videos of just everyday life seem to reach so many and put smile on someone's face."
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.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Daniella Gray is a Newsweek Family & Parenting Reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on family dynamics, childhood ... Read more
