German Shepherd Mix Loves To Give Gentle Boops To His Koi Fish Friends

We've all heard stories of dogs befriending cats, rabbits, pigs, and even horses. But fish? In California, a German shepherd–Siberian husky mix named Hati has a long-running friendship with the koi fish living in a pond at his owner's father's house. The koi-loving pup enjoys bopping noses with and pawing at the fish, who seem just as curious about the fluffy canine in their midst.

In an Instagram video from October 2025 that's been liked more than 700,000 times, a delighted-looking Hati repeatedly touches noses with the fish swarming around him in the water. Hati's owner, Lynsey Haddock, told Newsweek that the dog is especially intrigued by the orange koi, whose name is Cheeto. Of course, cute pet friendships are nothing new, but still, Hati and the koi seem to have something special.

"A boop for you and another boop for you and for you and you BOOP," one person commented on the Instagram post. "I believe they were all communicating," another person wrote. Several of the commenters likened Hati to an adorable Disney character and called the sweet dog a beautiful and gentle very good boy, saying that their own dogs would have tried to gobble up the koi.

Hati's Instagram account has numerous videos of Hati splashing around with his beloved fish. However, one video from November 2023 has racked up more than 649,000 likes due to Hati's unique looks. "Does Hati wear contacts?" one viewer commented on the video, referencing the fact that Hati has one blue eye and one brown eye. "Heterochromia is so unique and beautiful," another viewer wrote. 

Heterochromia is when the eyes are two different colors. Cats can also have different eye colors, as can humans, but the condition is much rarer in humans. (Fun fact: Pop star David Bowie did not have heterochromia, as many people believe to this day, but rather anisocoria caused by being punched in the eye as a teenager!) Regardless of species, the look can be striking, and Hati's eyes give him extra style.

Looking for more heartwarming tales of unexpected animal friendships? Check out this sweet dog who befriended a hummingbird, and these cute interspecies friendships that include a cat and a baby possum, a cat and a deer, and a dog and a rabbit.