Tiny cinnamon Dachshund Gus politely introduces himself to every big dog at the park and gets ignored every time, until one finally lets him pretend to be a big dog too

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 9, 2026 8:15 AM EST

Dog parks are one of the few remaining parts of our society that still resemble the Wild West - chaos reigns and usually the biggest and strongest survive. So where does that leave the tiny, petite doggos like Gus? Gus may have the body of a Dachshund, but he has the pawsonality of a Doberman - he likes to play with the big boys and get down with the best of them. However, the big dogs tend to ignore Gus because of his size, leaving him feeling sad and lonely whenever he goes to the dog park. 

Well, partner, this here story has a happy ending, so you can put the tissues down (or at least loosen your grip on them). After a whole lot of polite hellos and more than a couple of cold shoulders (do dogs even have shoulders?), one big doggo finally stopped. He looked down at Gus and decided to play. Just like that! The tiny cinnamon Dachshund got to be one of the big dogs for a while, and it made his entire day. Maybe his whole week. Nay, partner, his whole year.

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  • 01

    This is Gus. He is smol, but mighty.

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  • This video comes from Gus's own Instagram account, @gustheweeenie, captioned, “Just a little guy tryna make some big connections.” Same, Gus. Making friends as an adult is hard, and convincing yourself to mingle at awkward holiday parties at work is even harder. If there's one thing that's closest to a dog park, it might be the annual Christmas mixer that everyone dreads.

  • Anyway, Gus does everything right. He trots up, introduces himself nicely, and the big dogs just… walk past. One after another. It's like waving back at someone who was waving to someone behind you. It's even kind of painful to watch (hence where the tissues come in), you just keep rooting for him, for one doggo to look down and see not his size, but his playful pupper spirit!

  • 02
    Often when we go to the dog park Gus gets so excited to play with the big dogs but the big dogs never want to play with Gus
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  • 03
    paigel56290 INCLUDE HIM RIGHT NOW
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  • 04
    Often when we go to the dog park Gus gets so excited to play with the big dogs but the big dogs never want to play with Gus
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  • 05
    He always introduces himself but they don't always acknowledge him
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  • 06

    He loves laps

    CID
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  • 07
    He always introduces himself but they don't always acknowledge him 11
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  • 08
    ININN N He always introduces. himself but they don't always acknowledge him
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  • 09
    ginamartin Omg I'm so happy they played with him I was about to kick my phone through the wall
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  • 10

    And posing for pictures

    Ma
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  • 11

    And hitching a free ride in his hoooman's bags

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  • Then finally, finally, one big dog stopped. After about 2 seconds of checking each other out, they start running around the dog park as fast as Gus's little legs could carry him (which is surprisingly fast, honestly). You can see Gus's cinnamon-colored face light up with joy as he sprints in circles around the park.

    Gus, you are a big dog, in heart, spirit, and energy. We're so glad you got to play, and if none of the other doggos want to play with you, you can always call us.

  • 12
    But every once in a while he gets to pretend to be a big dog too)
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  • 13
    marneygirl629 It's like when your kid finally finds a friend at school
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    But every once in a while he gets to pretend to be a big
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  • Is it safe for small dogs to play with big dogs?

    If their hoomans are keeping an eye on them, yes. The problem is that most dog owners don't actually pay attention to their dogs once they set them loose in the dog park. Dogs communicate through body language, so there are lots of signs to look for when playtime starts getting a little ruff. When my dog is having a healthy, consensual play session with another pupper, I can tell by her loose, bouncy body language. Play bows are an invitation and both dogs should take turns chasing the other. I know to step in when my dog is consistently the one running away, that's her signal that she wants a break and the other dog isn't listening.

  • 15
    aimattke This empath could barely make it to the end, I'm so glad he found his friends:)
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  • 16

    He dressed up as a very scary ghost for Halloween

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    But every once in a while he gets to pretend to be a big dog too :)
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  • 18

    And loves spending time outdoors at the park

    RE IS ST PALERE
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  • 19
    cannoli_the_weenie Thank god it ended with someone playing with him I was about to start crying
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  • 20

    He's just the perfect model

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  • 21
    bell.rose.g Dachshunds love big dogs because they are too fast for little dogs. My doxie will tire out my poodle so fast. They may be small but they really are a hound dog
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  • 22

    Bed bugs? Nope! Just Gus.

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  • 23
    baddogpocket So happy to see a happy ending. Gus is adorable!
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dog park big dogs dachshund
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