Golden Retriever Realizes He’s on Camping Trip, His Face Says It All

It is easy to assume that dogs are lovers of the great outdoors—after all, they do tend to roll around in the mud and jump into water whenever possible. But it seems being stuck in a tent while it pours with rain isn’t one golden retriever’s idea of fun.

Ten-month-old Murphy’s reaction to camping has gone viral on TikTok (@murphy_retriever), earning more than 2.2 million views in just two days since July 16.

The footage shows Murphy inside an empty tent, looking out of the clear PVC window and sitting in the corner, seemingly in a huff. The text layered over the comical scene reads: “When Mum and Dad said they’d take you on holiday, but you got this instead.”

In the comments, one user asked: “Why is he curled up in the corner like a poor hungry street dog? This is not the vacation he imagined.” The owner responded: “He’s much happier now running on the beach with the sun shining!!”

“He said ‘I’ll sleep to avoid crying,'” posted another user, while a third wrote: “Poor baby thought he was [going to] have the time of his life.”

These days, dog owners are changing the way they vacation due to their pets. In May, a study of 5,000 pet owners in the U.S., commissioned by TrustedHousesitters, revealed that 56 percent say they travel less since getting a pet.

Sixteen percent of owners spend more on a vacation just so they can bring their pets along. The data also showed that 57 percent of pet owners now plan vacations around pet-friendly accommodation, and 22 percent choose a road trip instead of a flight.

Camping With Dogs Tips

For those planning a camping trip with their canine companion, the American Kennel Club (AKC) offers the following tips:

Dog Safety and Supervision

• Always keep your dog with you—during the day and while sleeping.
• Never leave your dog in a parked car—it’s unsafe and potentially deadly.
• Bring a dog bed and towel—for comfort and to manage mud.

Food and Hydration

Cleanliness and Waste Disposal

• Pick up after your dog—bring poop bags and dispose of waste properly.

Health and Grooming Checks

• Inspect your dog daily—from nose to tail.
  • Look for ticks, foxtails, and mats in the fur.
  • Bring a brush or comb to help remove debris.

Courtesy to Others

• Keep your dog quiet and under control around other campers and dogs.
• Respect other campers’ space and food areas.

Newsweek reached out to @murphy_retriever for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

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.