Owner's Response to Being Told His Dog Isn't a Baby Cheered—'Can't Argue'

A TikTok video has sparked joy and laughter among millions as a pet owner humorously claps back at the idea that their dog is "just a dog", a sentiment that many of the 65 million U.S. dog-owning households can relate to.

The video captures a golden retriever named Remy, sitting upright with a beaming smile, followed by a common critique that is both heard and hated by many pet owners: "Stop calling them your child; it's just a dog."

What follows is a witty and delightful twist—the video cuts to a series of edited images showing Remy's face superimposed on a 12-week ultrasound scan.

The dog's owner quips: "Photos don't lie."

The pet's owner, who runs their account @benny_and_remy, posted the video one week ago, but their humorous and creative take on the overused comment has already attracted more than 1.1 million views.

The video highlights the growing acceptance and understanding of the role pets play in many people's lives as cherished family members, and has prompted a heartfelt reception by viewers. Their playful response has resonated with thousands of people, many of whom see their pets as more than just animals, but as integral members of their families. Comments poured in from users sharing both their amusement and their own experiences of the deep bond they share with their pets.

Dog
A file image of a golden retriever in a blanket. A pet owner has poked fun at how people should respond to others who tell them that their pets are not their children. Getty Images

"He has your eyes," joked one viewer, playing along with the ultrasound theme.

Another user added: "One time a stranger holding a stick tried to hit my fur-son saying my fur-son is attacking him, but my son was sleeping at the corner."

"No one will understand the love that they bring us," a different user shared.

Another user opened up about their journey of pet adoption, and how they began to see their new pet as a crucial part of their family.

"Actually feel this," they wrote. "I remember my wife's labor pain whilst waiting for adoption at the pound in America. Now our babies are home here in EU/UK."

"Can't argue with logic," another user said.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) cites the golden retriever breed as being particularly devoted to their owners. "Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood," the pet registry writes on its website.

Newsweek reached out to @benny_and_remy for more information via TikTok.

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending ... Read more

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