Golden Retriever Gets Cutest 'Lowrider Zoomies' When Greeting Maine Coon Cat Neighbor
We all like to see our friends, so I don’t blame this adorable Golden Retriever for feeling a it overwhelmed when he’s finally let out on the back porch to met the neighbor cat, a large, fluffy Maine Coon. He’s clearly thrilled to see the cat, as he proceeds to perform the most hilarious little routine, galloping in circles while crouching low to the ground, a type of “lowrider zoom” that both releases his pent up energy and allows him not to scare the cat.
“Zooming with the parking brake on,” says one person in the comments after watching this clip.
Related: Excited Puppy Does Zoomies and Big Brother Isn’t Having It
“He’s skedaddling,” says another.
“The cat’s like ‘get it together, man,’” says a third, but the woman who made this video goes, “Nah, he’s used to it by now.”
So clearly this is a normal morning ritual between the two of them. It’s nice to see this kind of interspecies relationship, even if it wrecks mom’s “tranquil morning on the patio.”
Aww, the poor boy is just excited to see his buddy.
Cats and Dogs
Though popular opinion holds that cats and dogs are natural rivals, in truth, they can be good neighbors, housemates and friends. Particularly for friendly breeds like Maine Coons and Golden Retrievers, it’s not unusual for well-trained cats and dogs who know each other to be just as affectionate with one another as they are with the humans in their lives. The key, as always, is respect and boundaries.
It’s possible that the reason the Golden Retriever is keeping his excited race so close to the ground is because he does not wish to startle his kitty friend with his excited gambols? The cat is keeping a decent distance, up on the balcony rails. If they play this game every morning, the Golden Retriever probably knows quite well exactly what it takes to let out his extra energy without startling the cat.
If cats are hesitant to get involved with dogs, it’s likely because their excitable, boisterous nature puts the smaller creatures in danger of getting trampled. This move allows them to interact safely.
And once the Golden Retriever has gotten all that extra energy out, maybe they can play together nicely.
What are the Zoomies?
Zoomies is an oft-used term for a behavior of dogs and other animals when they sometimes race randomly around in circles without any rhyme or reason. The official term for the activity is “Frenetic Random Activity Periods” or FRAPS, and animal behavior experts describe it as a release of built up energy or tension that occurs when the animal has been in an enclosed space for a long period of time (such as in a crate or race starting stall), after a stressful experience such as a trip to the vet or a bath, or during any other moment of excitement.
In this case, the Golden Retriever is just thrilled to see his little buddy.
There is nothing wrong with the zoomies—it’s just a way that your dog is releasing pent-up energy or emotion. The only thing to make sure is that there is adequate space for them to get out their energy in a safe and healthy manner.
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