Bulldog Beyond Excited Getting Into Position for His Walk: ‘Say Less’

When dogs see their owner don their sneakers and get the leash out, they know exactly what time it is, and they can hardly contain their excitement. But this bulldog prepares for his walks very differently, leaving the internet in hysterics.

Every time Heather Garvin, 30, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, puts the harness on her English bulldog Gus, he gets so excited and waits readily by the door. But before thinking he’s really energetic and loves physical activity, guess again. It wasn’t the walk that Gus was eager for, but rather the ride in the stroller he takes instead.

As soon as Garvin opens the door for 3-year-old Gus, he instantly runs outside and gets himself comfortable in the basket under the stroller. Garvin explained that this happens every time they go out, telling Newsweek that Gus “just loves to go” everywhere with her, but preferably without having to increase his step count.

Garvin said: “We were getting ready to go for a walk around the neighborhood, and I recorded him because he gets so excited to go for these strolls.

“He can usually go around the block and that’s it, but I like taking long walks. I used to just take the baby on walks before, to take them together, but one day I decided I was going to try to take him too. He started out walking like normal and no sooner than we got halfway around the block, he jumped in the bottom of the stroller.”

Garvin ensures her pup gets plenty of exercise by playing fetch in the yard and occasional short walks. But Gus is no fool, and now he beelines straight for the stroller when he knows it’s a long trip. Occasionally, he’ll get out and greet another dog or do his business, but as soon as that’s done he’s straight back into his comfy spot.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends regular moderate exercise for bulldogs, as well as a healthy diet to help keep any excess weight off. It also notes that their short snout can make breathing difficult in hot and humid weather, so owners should ensure they don’t overdo it when it’s warm.

How Did TikTok React?

At first, Gus wasn’t sure about the baby, who was born in December 2023, as Garvin said he “suffered a lot of jealousy” initially. But now that Gus can ride shotgun in the baby stroller, he’s warming to the new addition.

Garvin told Newsweek: “Gus had always been the baby before, but it seems to be getting better now. The baby loves to watch Gus run around the house, but he’s a gentle giant so we still have to watch him with his little brother.”

Gus undoubtedly keeps his owners entertained with his antics, and on April 7 Garvin shared the hilarious moment Gus ran to his favorite spot to prepare for his walk on TikTok (@heathergarvin). The clip delighted many and it’s already been viewed more than 4.9 million times and gained over 537,100 likes at the time of writing.

The overwhelming reaction to the clip has been unlike anything Garvin could have imagined, but she’s loved all the “positive and heartwarming” responses.

With more than 960 comments on the video already, many TikTok users hailed Gus’ genius way of avoiding any exercise while still getting outside. One comment reads: “He said ‘fresh air AND I don’t need to walk? Say less.'”

Another person wrote: “He’s thinking, this baby human was the best thing they brought home.”

While another TikToker joked: “Pup knows the routine.”

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