Shih Tzu-Yorkie Mix Loves To Be Held Upside Down Like She's Part Vampire
Normally, you'd have to give your pup a Halloween shirt, sweater, or costume to make them look anything like a vampire. But that's only true for those of us without dogs with extra-strange pastimes. You heard it right — in a popular TikTok, one Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix likes to spend so much of her time upside down in her dog mom's arms that we're convinced she might moonlight as a bat in her spare time.
@harlie.rae8 somethings a little off...🙃
Harlie Rae is a seemingly normal Shih Tzu-Yorkie pup at first glance. Then, she flops. By "flop," we mean this girl's seen in several different locations flopping upside down any time her mom holds her — like a true vampire! Her bat-like relaxation is super cute and also totally funny. The TikToker jokes there's "something's a little off" with her sweetie's silly resting position, and viewers had questions and concerns, too. Some playfully asked if "maybe she's part vampire?" While others had more earnest approaches, saying, "Well you can tell for sure she trusts you totally, knowing you won't drop her."
How to tell if your pup trusts you
You may have seen belly-up pups during play time, or while they're sleeping. Believe it or not, this position is telling you something: A dog with an exposed tummy and otherwise relaxed body language is a sure-fire sign they feel safe. Though Harlie Rae has a, let's say, very unique take on this position, the fact still stands — our bat-like friend is showing her human she trusts her. Let's dig into how dogs trust humans, and how it just might be one of the signs your dog loves you.
Like Harlie's vampire-antics, you can often read your dog's body language to see if they feel safe in the moment. For example, keep an eye out for signs like a wagging tail during walks, or a relaxed face and body when you have to do possibly uncomfortable tasks like clipping their nails. A dog that trusts you will also want to spend more time with you, be it relaxing on the couch or playing a game of fetch.
If your dog seems uncomfortable instead, make sure to reassess actions that make your pup uncomfortable. Building trust with your fur baby is a great way to build a loving bond, and while we can't necessarily project human feelings of love on our pets, years of research by animal behaviorists suggest dogs do love us in their own way. So, keep your sweet pups safe and sound, and watch their love for you grow!