A San Jose man captured a bittersweet moment at a local dog park when his miniature poodle tried to make new friends, but ended up playing alone.
The video, which he later shared online, has left viewers heartbroken after the pup was ignored by fellow dogs at the California park.
Ryan Huynh, 28, took his 2-year-old dog Rylo to the park for an afternoon of play. As the other dogs gathered in a small pack, Rylo ran in circles and bounded toward them, hoping to join in the fun.
But each time, the group ignored his attempts to join in, leaving Rylo trotting by himself.
Huynh told Newsweek he was both “surprised and sad” to see the scene unfold as he watched his dog try to engage in playtime.
“I just shared it out of the blue and was overwhelmed by the amount of support the viewers gave Rylo,” he said.
‘This Broke My Heart’: Viewers React
The clip quickly began circulating on Instagram where it has been viewed more than 4.9 million times. In the comments, people shared their sadness when no one went to play with Rylo.
“Wait this broke my heart,” said one commenter. Another added: “It feels like your child is being left out.”
“Wait stop this made me tear up,” said one viewer. “This is so sad, I’ll play forever,” wrote another.
This isn’t the first time the internet has been left heartbroken when a dog didn’t want to play. Last year another viral video showed the moment Frank the dog was ignored by potential friends at the beach. Earlier this year, the same thing happened to a miniature dachshund at their local dog park.
Why Play Matters for Dogs
Experts note that play is vital to a dog’s health and development. A 2017 review published in Applied Animal Behavior Science found that play in domestic dogs serves two major functions: developing motor skills and fostering social cohesion.
Through activities such as running, wrestling, or chasing, dogs not only build physical strength but also practice the social signals that help them get along with both humans and other animals.
That social element is particularly important, researchers argue, because play helps dogs learn cooperation, communication and conflict resolution.
While not every play attempt is successful, these moments give dogs a chance to navigate social boundaries—skills that improve behavior overall.
Thankfully for Rylo, since the viral video, his owner has shared updates of him at the park enjoying playing with the other dogs, proving that sometimes making friends just takes a little bit of patience.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Read the full article here
