The moment a golden retriever expressed fear in the face of a Christmas decoration has left social media users laughing and sympathizing in equal measure.
Archie, an English cream golden retriever, went viral on TikTok after owner Amber Berter, posting under the handle @homeboundadventures, shared his reaction to seeing a paper cutout of the train from The Polar Express. In the video, a terrified Archie can be seen frozen, staring and shaking.
Berter, in Indiana, told Newsweek the story behind Archie's reaction, which happened while she was prepping for a Polar Express-themed party last year.
"I made it, hung it up, and didn't think anything of it," Berter said. "When I realized he was shaking like that, he actually scared me. I checked him out and then started looking for what was upsetting him. Then it hit me—oh my goodness, the train!"
As 2-year-old Archie trembled at the cutout, the moment sparked a mix of humor and heartbreak.
"I immediately took the train down and showed him. After that, he was completely fine," Berter said, adding that Archie had been spooked by various things in the past but never to that degree.
The video received 1.2 million views on TikTok, and hundreds of viewers took to the comments section to tease or defend the trembling pup.
"Not much of a guard dog I suppose then," one commenter wrote, while another added, "In his defense, The Polar Express movie was pretty terrifying."
"Of course he's terrified! That thing is coming right at him," a viewer said.
Others expressed heartfelt concern for Archie, with one user writing: "Take it down! Poor Archie!!!"
Berter reassured viewers that Archie was back to his happy, playful self.
"He has so much personality, and the fact that he was afraid of the paper train cracked me up," she said.
This isn't the first time a dog's reaction to a Christmas decoration has gone viral. Last month, another golden retriever melted hearts when he tried to befriend a festive decoration on his front porch.
In the video, the pup proudly walked up to his home and presented the canine decoration with a stick.
Other pet owners, meanwhile, have had sudden reminders of why they can't have ornaments on their Christmas trees. Frankie the dog went viral after he was caught pulling decorations off branches. Despite being told off, the baubles remained too exciting.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
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