If you’ve ever had a dog, you know they love to be part of everything you do. Whether you’re cooking dinner, watching TV, or even just going to the bathroom, your furry friend is right there, tail wagging, eager to join in whatever comes next.
Dogs feel left out even if they’re excluded for just a few seconds, and they each have their own way of dealing with it. Some might pace nervously, others get restless, and some might even cause a bit of chaos at home. But Fern’s method? Hers might just be the most effective.
About four years ago, an 18-month-old puppy named Fern became an internet sensation because of how she showed her annoyance when her dad left her in the car.
As the story goes, Fern and her owners, Graham and Fiona Haddow, were enjoying a day of shopping, and Fern was loving every minute. But when her parents needed to visit an art gallery in Dundee, Scotland, Fern couldn’t go inside. Seeing her humans enter the gallery without her, Fern decided to take action in her own unique way—a move that quickly made her famous online.
Settling herself in the driver’s seat and lifting her paw, Fern began honking the car horn—and she kept at it for fifteen minutes straight.
People walking by thought the car’s driver might be in trouble when they heard the continuous honking. But as they got closer and saw Fern behind the wheel, they couldn’t help but laugh. Many took out their phones to record the amusing sight.
“I came out of the gallery and looked down the street about a hundred yards away and saw a crowd gathered around a car and heard a honking sound,” recalled Graham.
“Then I did a double-take and realized that it was my car, and I wondered if it was anything to do with the dog.”
Worried that Fern might be in trouble, Graham hurried over. “I started running because I was worried something had happened to her,” he said. “When I got closer, I realized people were pointing and laughing and taking pictures.”
“She was sitting there, casually honking the horn.”
But honking wasn’t the only way Fern showed she wasn’t happy. “Usually when Fern sees me, she stands up and gets excited with her tail wagging,” Graham said. “This time, she just gave me a sideways glance and kept on honking the horn.”
Fiona, his wife, added:
“It was as if she [Fern] was saying, ‘Where have you been? I’ve been waiting.’”
Shortly after being released, he became overcome by rage and frustration and began violently wailing on his poor, trembling, frightened dog. It's clear that this man's violent tendencies didn't decrease after serving his time.
When videos of Fern’s little outburst were shared online, the boxer became an instant hit. People couldn’t get enough of her human-like behavior and her amazing attitude.
More recently, another dog was caught copying Fern’s tactic. This event happened last year in Nanaimo, Canada. The person who shared the story said: “My husband was leaving the pool and heard a really loud and continuous car horn coming from the parking lot…”
Toledo, United States.