🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
A golden retriever melted hearts and brought smiles to many people's faces after the dog was seen giving out free hugs around a bustling city.
In a viral clip uploaded to TikTok by Ursula Aitchison, who goes by the username @hugoandursula online, she could be seen taking her golden retrievers Hugo and Huxley, one of whom was offering free hugs to people around London, U.K.
The video showed one of Aitchison's golden retrievers wearing a sign offering free hugs on the London Underground before people came up to pet the dog. In other encounters, the golden retriever was obviously having a great time and rolled onto its back, inviting people to rub its tummy. "I took my dog to London to give out free cuddles," a caption on the video read. "Which city next," another added.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that dogs and humans enjoy different forms of physical expression, and some may not enjoy hugs as much as people.
"You might believe your dog adores your hugs. After all, you do it all the time and your dog doesn't complain," the AKC added. "But it's far more likely your dog is simply tolerating your behavior. Although the odd dog doesn't seem to mind, most dogs display stress signals when hugged and their owners are oblivious."
The AKC said, if the dog's stress level from a hug is high enough, it could bite and, as a person hugging would be close to the pet, it could put them at risk of serious injury.
"It's essential to teach children safe ways to interact with dogs, especially dogs they don't know, other than hugging," the AKC added.
Since being shared on October 29, the clip has attracted almost 135,000 views and 15,200 likes.
Newsweek found the majority of people who commented on the video were delighted with the idea of the dog giving free hugs. They wrote that they would enjoy the chance to share an embrace with the golden retriever.
TikTok user RacaBrawler posted: " A great initiative, dogs trigger our levels of empathy, warmth, compassion, love, peace and tenderness."
Misspudilicious added: "Fantastic. Look at how many people need a free hug."
Happie_Messs commented: "This would make any day epic, but not sure I'd be able to leave without taking your dog with me. Question, does he fit in a rucksack?"
Monica Camal wrote: "I would be following you, forget about life and go with the babies. Bless you, it's a lovely gesture."
About the writer
Anders Anglesey is a U.S. News Reporter based in London, U.K., covering crime, politics, online extremism and trending stories. Anders ... Read more