Both of my dogs have expectations they assume will be met. My senior Dachshund knows she can count on me to take her out when she scratches at the door and give her a treat as soon as she comes inside. Her Pug mix brother looks to me when he needs a boost onto the bed and never doubts he’ll get a lift.
Then there are those times when I tell them we’re going for a ride or hike but get sidetracked. I’ll get a call I need to take or remember that last thing I need to do before heading out the door. They’ll both give me that look that says “Aren’t we going? You promised!” Neither of them understand that sometimes life gets in the way of well-intentioned plans.
Rupert the English Bulldog had a bone to pick with his dad when he seemed to be reneging on an important promise.
In the TikTok from @rupert_english_bulldog, the camera held a close-up of a very angry black and tan English Bulldog. The look on his face expressed annoyance and frustration. Rupert was miffed and not afraid to show it.
“When you were promised a belly rub after dinner then dad starts nodding off,” the onscreen text explained of the situation.
Most dogs would empathize with Rupert’s resentment. A belly rub is the pinnacle of affectionate gestures from pet parents and must be performed if promised. Though the perturbed pooch’s visible displeasure was meant to be intimidating, Rupert’s face of fury was actually somewhat adorable.
Body Language of Bulldogs
This beloved breed is quite expressive, often using posture and facial expressions to communicate. When a Bulldog is in a low, crouched position, it could be showing fear or anxiety. A playful posture is characterized by a bowed stance and wagging tail, meaning your Bulldog is ready to have fun.
Related: Bulldog Brings Something Extra When He’s Called Inside and It’s Adorable
As Rupert clearly demonstrated, Bulldogs reveal their emotions with a certain look or facial movement. If your Bulldog’s mouth is tightly closed and their eyes are wide and darting around, they may be anxious or stressed. You’ll see contentment in your Bulldog when their face is relaxed with soft eyes and a partially opened mouth. Rupert made no bones about being upset with his dad and showed it with his sharp glare.
Hopefully Rupert’s dad quickly woke up and kept that all-important promise.
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.