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By Maria Morava
Relationships Reporter
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When a family decided to enlist their golden retriever to keep persistent bunnies out of their backyard, they pictured a vigilant guardian.
What the family got instead was a gentle giant who preferred napping alongside the fluffy intruders. An Instagram reel capturing the betrayal of duty by the golden has melted hearts across the internet, reaching almost 400,000 people who liked the clip.
"Let the dog out to keep the bunnies away," the owner wrote in the caption. "Returning the 'beware of dog' sign we ordered."
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The viral video shows the golden retriever lying calmly on the grass, unbothered, as a small bunny plays inches away.
The footage quickly resonated with Instagram users, many of whom shared their own experiences with pets who prioritize peace over pest control. One user immediately hailed the dog a fairy-tale character, commenting: "Your dog is now a Disney princess and named that bunny Thumper."
Another person imagined the canine's inner monologue: "Dog—'Now I know I was sent out here to do something. Oh look, one of those bunny things! How cute! Awe, look at him; so sweet. Now I was supposed to do something. Oh, what's over there?'"
"He said 'that bunny has nothing to do with me,'" a third commented.
The adorable understanding between the two species was not lost on viewers.
"It's apparent they've already talked and have an understanding," one commenter wrote. This sentiment was echoed by another owner who shared a similar anecdote: "Our yard bunnies used to make their nests beside where our bouvier would nap outside. She became the bunny nanny."
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Not all dogs, however, are cut out for guard duty. One Instagram user shared a relatable story of their own pet's surprising lack of protective instincts.
"I got a husky to help protect my kids and land as we are in the country," they wrote. "So far this week, he has been afraid of the laundry blowing on the line and a bullfrog. He's my clearance puppy."
The sheer lack of concern from both animals in the video even led one user to write: "Both these animals have zero survival skills."
While the original intent was to deter the bunnies, this golden retriever chose companionship over confrontation, proving that sometimes, the most-effective guard dog is simply a friendly presence. One comment seemed to sum up the phenomenon: "Goldens are lovers not fighters."
Newsweek reached out to @alana__e for comment via Instagram.
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