Lone wolf? Watch dog social distancing from other pups during walks, worrying the internet

USA Today

22-03-2025

Lone wolf? Watch dog social distancing from other pups during walks, worrying the internet Peanut, a 9-year-old Maltichon in Scotland, has been garnering concern on social media for exhibiting loner behavior on his dog walks. His owner tells USA TODAY that there's nothing to worry about.
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This dog's solo strolls capture 16 million views and spark viral debate
Peanut, a 9-year-old dog from Edinburgh, becomes an internet sensation after people question why he's always alone in the dog walker photos!
A pooch social distancing from other dogs on his weekly walks has the internet concerned.
Peanut, a 9-year-old Maltichon (Maltese and Bichon Frise mix), in Edinburgh, Scotland, has been garnering attention on social media after his owner posted many photos of him standing a few feet away from the rest of the dogs during their walks with a dog walker.
"This has devastated me beyond comprehension," one user commented under the photos. "And why would you show that to me 😭," commented another.
Another wrote: "Crying pls tell him I love him."
'People's person'
Elissa Equi, Peanut's owner, told USA TODAY that she isn't sure why her dog "is away in the photos because he's normally pretty excited when the dog walker comes."
Equi, a gap-year student, thinks Peanut's behavior could be due to his age.
"Peanut just turned 9 years old so (he) doesn't tend to play with younger dogs anymore," she said, adding that her dog "has always been more of a people's person" though he still "likes to play with dogs occasionally."
Some social media users who say they're dog walkers said that Peanut's behavior wasn't unusual and that some dogs prefer to keep to themselves. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they are sad or lonely.
Social media users blame outfits
Some social media users blamed Peanut's outfits, including jumpers and sweaters, for his exclusion from the rest of the group, with one even commenting that Equi has the dog dressed "like a proper schoolboy from England" and another saying he looks like "young Sheldon" in his outfits.
However, Equi is unbothered by the criticism and said she found it to be funny.
"The outfits are to keep him warm and clean," said Equi, who has had Peanut since he was a puppy. "I honestly thought it was pretty funny people were blaming it on the jumpers."
Despite being a lone figure on his doggie walks, Peanut is not without friends.
"He has a friend at playgroup called Basil," Elissa shared. "But I am his best friend."
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.