A couple of months ago, during a particularly tedious commute home on the train, I came across a short video on a popular video-sharing app. I had had a fairly draining day at work, so I was mindlessly scrolling through my feed when this ten-second clip popped up and instantly brightened my mood.
The clip showed a golden retriever trying ever so cautiously to tiptoe past a ginger cat that was sleeping soundly at the top of a hallway staircase. The dog was moving in slow motion, clearly terrified of waking the cat up, but it completely misjudged how slippery the polished wooden floor was. Just as it got halfway past, its back paws lost grip, and it ended up sliding awkwardly backwards straight into a large basket of freshly folded laundry. The cat just opened one eye, looked mildly unimpressed, and went back to sleep.
I think the video went viral because it was utterly spontaneous and relatable to anyone who has ever owned pets. There was no awkward scripting or artificial sound effects; it was just pure, unadulterated comedic timing. The contrast between the dog’s dramatic caution and the cat’s total indifference was brilliant.
It really made me burst out laughing right there in the carriage, much to the amusement of the passengers sitting opposite me. It was just such innocent, wholesome slapstick, and it completely took my mind off the stresses of the day. Even now, whenever I think about the dog’s guilty expression as it sank into the towels, it brings a massive smile to my face.