A man’s trip to the beach takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a memory with a sickening mark.
Gaining more than 680,000 views, the clip shared on the TikTok account @sans.tv shows the man’s hand in a wooden basket and grab a tennis ball from a bunch. But these aren’t just any old balls; they once belonged to Ryley, a golden retriever who passed away on May 23.
His grieving owner printed out a sheet of paper with a picture of the dog and the following note. It read: “Please get one of Ryley’s balls in his memory. Enjoy each and every day you have together!!”
The American Kennel Club (AKC) states that the average lifespan of a golden retriever is 10 to 12 years. These playful dogs are known for being friendly and open to strangers. Others might say Ryley’s spirit lives on at the beach.
In the footage, which has over 75,000 likes, the TikTok user can be seen throwing the ball for his parents’ dog, Miley. They were then joined by another pup who “showed interest”. The text layered over the clip reads that the owner attempted to give the ball back to him, but he said: “It’s not ours. It was Ryley’s, now it’s your guys.”
In the comments, the man wrote: “Ryley is not mine: we just played with one of his tennis balls in his honor.”
The concept of spreading joy in Ryley’s memory brought tears to the internet. At the time of writing, there are over 3,100 comments.
“You can tell Riley [sic] is a dear dog,” said one user.
Another wrote: “So sad but sweet blessings Riley.”
“All I know is that Riley is playing in heaven watching everyone play fetch with their dogs,” added a third comment.
There’s no doubt that balls will make many owners and their pets happy, but dogs are different, says the AKC. Some canines prefer squishy and squeaky toys as they imitate prey, while others prefer harder chews, and some like Ryley enjoy chasing and retrieving the ball.
The AKC website also points out that toy preferences can evolve over time. Puppies often favor rubber chew toys during teething, while older dogs often prefer soft toys that are easy to hold and pull. As adults, dogs may need sturdier toys such as thick rope or hard rubber balls. Owners are encouraged to supervise their pets with toys if they tend to destroy them as swallowing the pieces can be harmful.
Newsweek @sans.tv has been contacted for comment via TikTok. We cannot verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or photos of your pet that you want to share? Send them to [email protected] along with a few details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
