Rescue Puppy Stumbles Upon Mysterious 'Creatures' And Uncovers Something Adorable
Dog walkers encounter all kinds of surprises while out with their pups, like squirrels, rabbits, other dogs and their humans, or objects on the sidewalk. And when two dogs cross paths, reactions can vary: One might bark, the other might go in for a sniff, or both might just stand there, unsure of what to do. A rescue pup named Cactus found himself in the latter situation. During a neighborhood stroll with his human, Mike Brown, they both stopped in their tracks, puzzled by a strange sight. Upon further inspection, Cactus realized it was a curious canine quartet on the other side of a fence.
Brown filmed the encounter and shared it on TikTok in September 2025. In the first few moments, three stationary black dots are visible under a fence, each attached to what appears to be three furry cream-colored blobs. As the camera lowers, it becomes clear that the dots belong to three dogs lying on the ground, quietly peeking under the fence. A fourth stands nearby, gazing through the slats. "At first it caught us both off guard," Brown wrote in a comment, and we must admit that they'd make the perfect ridiculous shiba inu memes.
@cactustherescue Cactus wasn't sure what he was looking at when we first passed. He had to make sure to do lots of inspecting!
Some viewers called the moment adorable and suggested that Cactus was simply making friends. Another said, "Cactus is so sweet for not barking and scaring those new buddies!" And as it turns out, there are a few possible reasons that some dogs behave so calmly when they meet other canines.
Why some dogs behave more calmly than others when meeting another dog
Some dogs, like Cactus, seem to take the strong-and-silent approach when meeting new canine companions. For others, maniacal barking with a dash of chaos would ensue after the encounter. Ultimately, a dog's reaction to other dogs is influenced by a mix of early socialization, past experiences, and their personality. In Cactus' case, his gentle pause could mean he's cautious or just curious. The same can be said of the quartet he encountered.
Breed also plays a role in a dog's response to meeting other dogs while on a walk. For instance, shiba inus are known for being reserved and minding their own business. They also don't bark as much as other breeds do, so when both parties show similar manners, it can result in moments like these — four dogs lounging in silence while Cactus politely investigates. The only dog breed in the world that doesn't bark is the basenji, for those curious.
So, the next time your dog meets a new friend and remains calm, like Cactus, reward its behavior. It might just be its way of saying "hello" with grace, but you should still always keep an eye on its body language. Pay attention to the signals from nearby dogs, too. What starts as a friendly greeting can take a sharp turn after about 10 or 15 seconds of sniffing, so stay alert and be ready to intervene if needed. The last thing you want to do is break up a dog fight, though Cesar Milan's thought process may help you in a pinch.