Dogs are often like toddlers—they love exploring, getting into things, and can have a sassy streak when they’re feeling mischievous. Anyone who has spent time with dogs knows they can find themselves in all sorts of amusing situations.
However, it’s not always their fault! Take Duke, a fluffy chow, for example. He found himself in a surprising situation simply by being his sweet, happy self. Duke’s owner, who manages his TikTok account, recently shared a video explaining what she discovered when Duke returned to the house after a romp in the yard.
As Duke came inside, his owner noticed something dark brown clinging to his fur, but she couldn’t immediately tell what it was.
Upon closer inspection, she was shocked by what she found. In the video, she calls Duke over to the camera, intending to show her followers what he had gotten into this time. Zooming in, viewers can see a brown object stuck to Duke’s fur.
But when his curious owner gently tugs and wiggles it free with a towel, it becomes clear that Duke had unknowingly befriended a baby possum!
This possum wasn’t the typical kind you’d find in America—it was a possum native to Australia. While larger than one might expect for a baby, it was undeniably adorable. Meanwhile, Duke appeared a bit puzzled as to why his mom was removing his newfound friend from his chest. As she lifted the critter off, she kindly said, “That’s what was attached to you,” before placing the possum on a nearby fence, giving it the chance to reunite with its biological family or find other possums who could help it distinguish between its real mother and a furry canine.
In the comments section, Duke’s owner responded to questions from curious viewers. When one person asked about Duke’s reaction, she revealed, “Duke was so upset we didn’t get to keep it.” She also clarified that Duke didn’t try to bite the possum, as he’s learned to be gentle from living with cats.
Addressing some viewers’ confusion, who thought the possum resembled a sugar glider, she explained, “It was 100% a possum. We don’t have sugar gliders where I live. It didn’t have winged arms or the characteristic stripe.”
Given the little creature’s appearance, it’s understandable that some American viewers might have mistaken it for a sugar glider.
However, considering the owner’s accent and the TikTok account name, “Duke of Hawthorn,” it’s safe to assume the pair lives in Australia.
Dogs certainly know how to keep us on our toes, but finding one with a possum attached to its fur is something most dog owners probably wouldn’t expect. No doubt, Duke’s owner will be telling this story for years to come.