Dog Dives into Muddy River to Fetch Live Fish for Owner: 'Surprise'

A golden retriever decided to treat her owner to something rather special during a recent walk out together but it didn't exactly go according to plan.

For some dog owners, it doesn't get much better than spending quality time with a beloved pet pooch. In fact, many actually prefer it to time spent with a partner.

In a OnePoll study of 2,000 cat and dog owners commissioned by pet food company Fresh Pet, more than half of respondents said they often preferred spending time with their four-legged friend as they don't nag, never talk back and are permanently in a good mood.

Meanwhile 30 percent said they felt their cat or dog was a better listener than their partner with 40 percent claiming they give more attention to their pet than they do their other half.

A further 45 percent of respondents even said they never felt judged or questioned by their cat or dog.

But while dogs may come out on top in a multitude of ways for some pet owners, there is clearly room for improvement, particularly when it comes to gift-giving.

While a human partner might choose chocolates, champagne or flowers, as a video uploaded to TikTok by Xiao Mian Ao demonstrates, dogs do it a bit differently.

In the clip, which has been watched 6 million times, viewers are treated to the messy aftermath of a golden retriever's foray into a nearby muddy river.

It can be seen here.

As the dog approaches her owner it becomes clear that what you thought was a chocolate Labrador is in fact an entirely different breed and color of dog.

Given how muddy the canine has become, her owner is perhaps understandably frustrated at the situation, captioning the footage: "Who wants this dog?"

However, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a method to this dog's mud-based madness. Though initially pleased as punch, her bouncing steps soon give way to forlorn looks of guilt as she realizes her owner is not happy.

Eager to make amends, the golden retriever reveals the reason for her unauthorized adventure, opening her mouth to let a fish drop to the floor, where it begins flapping around.

Suddenly her intentions are clear: she wanted to give her human a gift.

But while the golden retriever's extremely muddy state may have landed her a stay in the dog house, on social media her charming actions have proven a hit.

Haley Toumaian commented: "She was so proud to bring you the fish." Angela Renee Art, meanwhile, wrote: "She is so proud! Look at her bringing dinner home to you!"

"The fish was a gift maybe?" Cindyeaklor asks, with the dog's owner Xiao acknowledging it was certainly "a surprise."

MaryAnne_589 was convinced the pooch was bringing their mom an "Im sorry" gift while Candy Nies imagined the canine telling her "I got us dinner."

Elsewhere, Angela Stevens attempted to put a positive spin on the chaotic scene, explaining that the dog has simply been enjoying a "spa day" with a "mud bath and sushi."

Katie Sullivan, meanwhile, imagined the dog telling her: ""what did you expect? I'm a RETRIEVER."

Newsweek has contacted Xiao Mian Ao for comment.