Golden Retriever Owner Plans Birthday Surprise—Leaves Pet ‘Terrified’
A golden retriever’s surprise birthday celebration has gone viral on TikTok—though not for the heartwarming reasons his owner intended. The clip, shared by user @shlbymrgn, has amassed more than 584,000 views and over 112,000 likes since being posted on October 20. It shows a corridor filled with colorful balloons attached to soft toys as the dog peeks through the doorway wearing a party hat. Instead of bounding in with excitement, the golden retriever looks terrified. “When your birthday surprise turns into your first haunted house,” reads the text over the video. The caption adds: “Note to self: make sure the dog isn’t terrified of balloons before spending $25 on said balloons.” @shlbymrgn note to self: make sure the dog isn’t terrified of balloons before spending $25 on said balloons #fyp #goldenretriever #dog #birthday #balloons ♬ Creepy and simple horror background music(1070744) – howlingindicator The rise of pet parties highlights just how much our animals have become part of the family—but as one viral TikTok shows, not every dog loves the spotlight. In the clip, a golden retriever wearing a party hat peers nervously into a hallway filled with balloons and stuffed toys, clearly unsure about his surprise celebration. Data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that 44 percent of dog owners and 32 percent of cat owners now buy gifts for their pets’ birthdays—up from 36 percent and 24 percent in 2022—and more owners than ever are hosting parties, with 27 percent of dog owners and 20 percent of cat owners throwing birthday or holiday events. How to Keep Pets Calm Around Decorations Stock image: A golden retriever lays next to a birthday cake. The American Kennel Club says that even well-meaning celebrations can overwhelm dogs. Decorations, balloons, and sudden noises may mimic Halloween-style frights. To keep canines safe and stress-free: Stay Secure: Always walk dogs on a leash with a properly fitted collar or harness, and ensure ID tags are up to date. Be Proactive: Watch for decorations that might startle your pet. Offer treats or toys and, if needed, cross the street to give them space. Build Confidence at Home: Let dogs explore new decorations slowly and reward calm curiosity. Move away if they show signs of stress. Use Distance Wisely: Allow canines to approach decorations only if relaxed. If they refuse treats or seem anxious, increase distance until they are comfortable. TikTok Reacts TikTok users flooded the comments with sympathy—and laughter. “He said I’m not trying to scare you but something inside is FLOATING in place,” one user posted. Another wrote: “Oh, our dogs are TERRIFIED of balloons. Stay safe, buddy!” and a third shared: “My golden was so scared of his balloons this year I felt like I ruined his whole birthday.” A fourth added: “I did the same thing for my girl’s first birthday and completely ruined her day. She kept hiding.” Newsweek reached out to @shlbymrgn for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.