A heartwarming yet slightly comedic clip of a dog’s innocent blunder of seemingly mistaking still water for solid ground has gone viral on TikTok.
The moment was captured in a video posted by @rourkey123, which has garnered more than 2.8 million views since it was shared on October 1. The dog in the footage is a Labrador retriever, and the incident unfolded near a canal, according to hashtags shared with the post.
In the video, the Labrador is shown walking along a canal on a leash, casually avoiding puddles during the stroll. The water appears to be coated with a layer of green algae, making it seem as if the dog was stepping onto solid land.
The unsuspecting pup, presumably chasing the two ducks seen in the water, later steps forward and falls into the canal. The Labrador splashes around in the algae-covered water, quickly climbing out before shaking off as the video ends.
The Dangers of Algae-Covered Water
While the clip captures a lighthearted moment, it also raises awareness about a more serious concern—the potential dangers of algae-covered water, particularly cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.
In an article for VCA, the animal hospital chain, veterinarians Renee Schmid, Ahna Brutlag, and Lynn Buzhardt said that waters covered with blue-green algae can be deadly for animals.
Blue-green algae are not plants and thrive in standing bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and canals. These organisms produce toxins that can harm or even kill animals, especially dogs, who may inadvertently ingest contaminated water.
“Cyanobacteria are present across North America,” the veterinarians said, adding that blooms of these bacteria typically occur in late summer and fall when water temperatures rise and rainfall decreases.
While the Labrador retriever in the viral video may have emerged unharmed, this incident highlights the importance of being vigilant around algae-covered water.
Even if dogs do not directly drink from the contaminated water, simply licking algae-laden water off their fur could be fatal. The veterinarians said that it is best to avoid water with visible algae blooms, as it is difficult to tell which types are harmful without specific analysis.
“It is safest to consider all algae blooms to be dangerous and avoid them altogether,” the veterinarians added.
With blue-green algae posing such a serious risk, it is crucial to keep pets away from bodies of water that appear to have algae blooms. Should your dog accidentally ingest or come into contact with contaminated water, immediate medical intervention is critical.
‘Poor Baby’
TikTok users were quick to sympathize with the Labrador retriever’s accidental plunge.
Many commenters shared their reactions, with Emily Jones simply saying, “oh poor baby,” and EvelinSajti writing: “omg [oh my god] he fell into still water.”
User @theircyarika said, “Poor dog was shocked that it isn’t grass,” while @harpercult_ noted the pup’s “instant regret” upon realizing its mistake. Vanmandave added: “Needs the ‘father help’ [background] sound…”
One commenter, @Trashpanda232, posted that the dog mistook the algae-covered surface for “nicely cut grass.” Another user, GillianMcK, observed the irony in the dog’s caution, writing: “The way he avoided walking in the puddle just to go jump in the swamp.”
Several others empathized with the dog’s confusion, writing that they, too, would have been fooled by the algae’s deceptive appearance. User @moralgraveyard commented, “Nah that green stuff fooled me too,” while @hallo_daar02 echoed the sentiment, saying: “He’s not the only one who’s done that.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
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