The life of a pet sitter is never dull, but some memories stick out more than others. The moments that stay with them forever are sweet, silly, and often unexpected, just like Hazel the English Bulldog playing her new favorite game.
Hazel’s dog sitter, @lisa_joyful, accidentally discovered this game while playing with the pup in her garden on a sunny day. Out of all the things that could have caught the dog’s attention, it was a wriggling shadow that ultimately did the trick! After watching the pup pouncing and hopping with so much focus, her new fans wonder whether she’s part cat!
Could Hazel be any cuter? The way she dug at the shadow with her paws left me swooning, and my smile only got wider with every hop she took. All she wants to do is catch the ever-elusive shadow, but she melted hundreds of thousands of hearts in the process!
“I see the problem,” commenter @ryan.ruddy began. “There’s orange cat software installed on Bulldog hardware.” That’s certainly what it looks like! Hazel may be a stocky English Bulldog, but she pounces and scurries like a cat on a mission.
Related: Sassy English Bulldog Throwing a Tantrum Over the Smallest Inconvenience Has Everyone Laughing Out Loud
Some viewers like @thespiane see a pup who’s “Smooth-brained and happy as a lark,” but I have a slightly different take. Even though there’s no question that she loves this new game her sitter invented, she’s no fool! She may have a one-track mind, but she’ll figure out she’s chasing intangible targets eventually.
Laser Pointer Syndrome
No one can deny that this happy dog looks adorable while pouncing and playing in the grass, but there’s more to this activity than meets the eye. Although it’s an innocent game of chase, it could someday lead to a more distressing, long-term condition.
@M4xoie agreed, explaining, “Dogs can develop a kind of OCD; they can become obsessed with shadows, their tail, reflections, and shiny things. This is why people say not to use laser pointers, even with cats!”
Laser Pointer Syndrome is a behavioral disorder that results in frustration when trying to catch something uncatchable. Animals with this condition often obsess over shadows or light rays and deal with a near-constant sense of anxiety. This most often occurs in dogs who were exposed to laser pointers as puppies, though cats of any age seem to be perceptible.
Luckily, a little shadow chasing isn’t concerning as long as Hazel doesn’t become obsessed. For a once-in-a-while game, however, chasing shadows can be so fun!
🐶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 PetHelpful on Apr 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.