A Labradoodle playing in his ball pit has gone viral online.
The delightful video showcasing Sampson joyfully romping through a ball pit has racked up 13 million views on Instagram. The footage shows the energetic canine immersing himself into a sea of gold, yellow and burgundy balls and seemingly making a mess at the same time.
The on-screen text explains “No toy is safe in the ball pit,” while Sampson, who lives in San Diego, California, can be heard occasionally growling.
His owner Michele Miller, 41, told Newsweek: “His ball pit is his happy place!”
Initially, Miller thought the padded pool filled with small colorful hollow plastic balls was going to be used just once. But now four years later, it remains in her living room.
“We joke it’s now turned into a piece of furniture in our living room. When he kicks out balls he always makes this playful growl with each kick, it’s just the cutest thing!
“We switch up the ball colors based on the season, and getting a fresh batch of balls is like giving him a new toy all over again,” she told Newsweek.
Miller explained that 7-year-old Sampson kicks the balls out “every single night without fail” and sometimes, he even has a nap in there.
“I think his life goal is to see if he can kick out all the balls one day,” told Miller. “While it does require frequent clean-ups, it’s never a chore because of the immense happiness it brings him. Let’s just say he’s a big help in ensuring I meet my daily step goal!”
Miller who runs the account @sampson_the_dood, added the following caption: “The growls are the best.”
It’s obvious that Sampson is having a ball and his sound effects are far from aggressive. Purina, the pet food company, has previously shared an article aimed at helping owners understand the different types of growls their canines may make.
It turns out that dogs growling isn’t always a sign of infuriation. In fact, it can mean the total opposite. As showcased by Sampson who can be heard snarling as he rolls around in his ball pit.
Purina has pointed out that growling “is simply a method of communication” and it can either mean “I’m feeling threatened” or “I’m having fun.”
It can be difficult for an owner to distinguish the two sounds but playful growls usually sound higher pitched. They are usually shorter and accompanied by body language that indicates the dog is ready to play such as raising their rear-end in the air which is known as a play bow.
An angry growl may involve bared teeth, low and rumbling pitch, but the volume can depend on the size and breed. Owners are advised to look at their canines’ body language to determine how their pet is feeling. If they are growling out of displeasure then they may have a stiff body, a tail held high, wide eyes and their ears back. These are all tell-tale signs that the dog really wants a situation to stop, now!
It’s clear Sampson is over the moon in his ball pit and just having the time of his life. So far, the video has racked up over 298,000 likes and almost 2,000 comments.
One user said: “He’s adorable!!! I think he likes hearing how many balls hit the floor.”
Another said: “Absolutely hysterical… but then I’m not the one who has to pick all the rejects up.”
A third comment said: “His little growls are just too cute. I would pay money to know what’s in his head during those tantrums.”
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.
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This story was originally published February 8, 2024, 3:32 AM.
source: star-telegram
