Tiny Dachshund Puppy Completely Disappears While Playing In Fall Leaves
Ask any kid about his or her favorite thing to do in autumn, and you'll most likely hear about how fun it is to run through fallen leaves and savor that satisfying crunch. Well, unsurprisingly, dogs enjoy fall foliage equally as much, too. Just look at this dachshund puppy gleefully racing through some piles of crunchy leaves on TikTok. The only thing is, this little dog named Slinky (who also goes by the nickname Binky, according to his owner) is so tiny and tan, he completely disappears into the leaves and blends in, only to be seen again when he excitedly pops out of the pile.
@slinky.479 throwback to baby binkys first fall last year🥹 he looouuuvves the leaves 🍂
As the little guy comes flying out of the proverbial gate, he immediately dashes into a small heap of crisp, crunchy leaves — only to immediately disappear under them, leaving an undulating wave of foliage in his frantic path. He then pops out, only to head right back in — over and over again. Slinky's tan-colored coat only adds to the mischievous obscurity of the situation at hand.
One astute viewer calls the pup a "master of camouflage," and another points out that "bro really got lost there for a second." One rogue commenter even likened the TikTok video to the 1990 horror movie "Tremors," calling the frantic fall frolic a "reboot, only cuter." Not sure about you, but we'd much rather have adorable little dachshunds emerging from the ground than prehistoric, worm-like monsters any day!
Why are puppies so playful?
Just like little kids, puppies are playful, a natural developmental cornerstone that helps burn energy and teach (and tame) biological instincts. Although playfulness in domesticated dogs continues to be studied, there is a strong belief that for puppies, playing helps strengthen motor skills (like biting and grip) and control their bodies during both social and survival situations (i.e., play fighting vs. self-defense).
While there is still some debate as to whether puppy play is a natural, ancestral instinct or a product of domestication, it's always best to make sure puppies get lots of time to play each day and take long walks to stave off destructiveness that could manifest as chewed-up shoes and excessive high-level barking due to boredom. So, let them run through leaves in the safety of your yard, or take them on a walk to connect with their environment, because just like little kids, they love moving and exploring the world around them. Also like kids, they eventually grow up, calm down, and get slower as they age. So, enjoy their lively puppyhood while you can.