Dog's 'Ceremony' When Getting a Treat Leaves Viewers in Hysterics

Newsweek

15-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A dog owner has gone viral for showing her pup's "interpretive dance" when she gets a special treat.
Pola is described on her owner's TikTok account, @polathegoldentatra, as a golden Tatra—a cross between a golden retriever and Tatra shepherd dog. Tatras are a large livestock guardian breed originating from the Tatra Mountains in Poland, while golden retrievers are a popular choice as family pets due to their gentle and obedient nature.
Pola's personality quirks are often showcased on her TikTok account, from digging holes in the garden, admiring herself in the mirror, and following her owner around for attention.
Now one clip has gone viral, as it showed what Pola does when given a raw bone as a treat, and the ritual she does with it. In the video, Pola's owner gives her a large raw bone with plenty of meat still n it, which the pup happily takes in her mouth.
Words over the footage read: "Sacrifice accepted. Let the ceremony begin."
That "ceremony" was quick to appear, as the clip then switches to Pola outside in the garden, the bone now sitting on the grass, as the dog jumps around it.
She jumps forward and back, her ears and tail flopping, almost as if she is doing a ritualistic dance for the food.
The video finishes with Pola lying on the ground, rubbing her face against the bone—but, so far, has not appeared to have eaten any of it. Her owner captioned the clip with the hashtag "interpretive dance." It proved hugely popular, racking up close to 90,000 likes and over 654,000 views, as animal lovers shared their own stories.
"My dog finishes the ritual by burying the bone before she's even eaten it. She then spends a week digging up the yard trying to recall where she buried it to resurrect it," one wrote.
"My lab just did that with a yak chew," another posted, as a third asked: "Omg [oh my God] do they all do this?"
"Mine hides them under the sofa and then whines at me to retrieve it, then stashes it under the sofa again," one viewer wrote. "Why can't he be doing sacrificial dance offs instead?"
Another said the video was "hilarious," adding, "What a ceremony," as a third jokingly warned Pola "could summon a demon and sell your soul for more treats."
Some commenters were concerned that the bone could be dangerous for Pola, as it could damage her teeth or splinter, causing her to choke.
There are benefits to bones: they are a good source of minerals, and the chewing prevents plaque buildup and gum disease, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
However, bones do come with health hazards: cooked ones are at risk of shattering when chewed, which can damage a dog's mouth, throat or intestines, or cause choking. The risk is lower with raw bones.
Pola dances around the bone in the garden and rubs her face against it.
Pola dances around the bone in the garden and rubs her face against it.
TikTok @polathegoldentatra
The AKC notes that some veterinarians suggest raw meat bones for canines, but they come with the risk of bacteria such as salmonella, and could still damage a dog's teeth. Owners should discuss with their vet before giving them a raw meat bone.
Dogs should be supervised when chewing on a bone, and larger breeds should get large ones to prevent swallowing; there are also plenty of chew toys that have a similar texture to bones, which could be a good alternative.
Newsweek has contacted @polathegoldentatra via TikTok for comment on this story.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [e-mail] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.