Labradoodle With Special ‘Happy Dance’ After Eating Wins Pet of the Week

For our final Newsweek Pet of the Week line-up of 2023, we’ve got a festive and fun video of a miniature pup who loves to dance.

This year we’ve seen plenty of readers’ fur babies featured on Newsweek‘s Pet of the Week. From Zeus the dog who whispers like a human to an adrenaline-junkie ferret and a dog wearing a traffic cone on his head.

If you want to see your furry friend in a 2024 Pet of the Week line-up, remember to follow the instructions at the end of this story to submit your charge.

Winner

Our Pet of the Week is Blossom, a miniature Labradoodle who does a fantastic happy dance when she’s waiting for her dinner.

Living in Gilbert, Arizona, with owner Lisa Alopogianis, Blossom will be 3 years old in April.

“She is pure joy,” Alopogianis told Newsweek. “She loves people and one of our favorite things to do together is sit out in nature and take it all in.”

Blossom’s owner said she is one of the happiest dogs she has ever met, and a pleasure to be with. “My sister thinks [Blossom] is part human,” she laughed.

In an adorable video shared with Newsweek, Blossom showed off her moves with a “happy dance” that her owner says is a frequent part of their day.

“She does her happy dance frequently,” she said. “Usually after dinner or a yummy pup cup treat.”

Finalists

Our first finalist this week is Schnitzie, a Dachshund puppy that is almost 5 months old.

Schnitzie lives in California with owner Diane Cressy and three other pets, including another dog and two cats.

“He is extremely smart and independent, even for a Doxie,” Cessy told Newsweek.

“I got Schnitzie in September, and watch out,” she said. “He is the type of Dachshund that doesn’t want to be held or cuddled; he wants to hunt and raise hell with the cats and chickens.”

The adorable hell-raising dachshund is often found hanging out with the other animals, and his owner explained just how “smart and pretty” the young pup is.

Next up is Kira Lucia, a Chihuahua who lives with owner Debbie Purvis in Florida.

Named after a character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Lucia for “light,” the 6-month-old puppy weighs just nine pounds.

“She has a very square face with an underbite. We love her difference,” Purvis told Newsweek.

A true puppy with bundles of energy, Kira can often be found playing chase with the household cat: “They take turns chasing each other,” the owner said.

Last but certainly not least this week is 3-year-old Maltipoo Samson.

Nicknamed “handsome Samson” by owner Joyce Cerundolo, the 22-pound pup has the textbook curly hair that the Maltipoo breed is famous for.

A popular crossbreed between the Maltese and the Poodle, the breed is known for a small stature, rounded head, and floppy ears—giving them the appearance of a puppy for most of their lives.

In the pictures shared with Newsweek, Samson has even managed to make his hair stand up thanks to the static on the leather couch.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.