Cat 'Giving Attitude' to Next Door's Dog Every Day Goes Viral

Newsweek

01-07-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A comical standoff between a determined cat and an exasperated dog has delighted social-media users after a clip of their daily stare-down went viral.
In the video, shared on June 29, Holly Ross's bichon frisé named Herb is seen standing on furniture, eyes locked intensely out of the window at his arch-nemesis: Terry, the neighbor's orange cat. Perched nonchalantly on a nearby roof, Terry seems to relish every moment of the tense encounter, staring right back without flinching.
The caption explains the dynamic with deadpan humor: "our neighbor's cat Terry winds our dog up every day on purpose." Viewers were quick to appreciate the hilariously petty back-and-forth, propelling the clip to viral status with over 863,000 views and more than 136,000 likes, at the time of writing.
Fans of the video shared to @itscalledholly flocked to the comments to revel in Terry's unapologetic mischief. "God forbid Terry has a hobby," one user posted, and another observer noted: "Any pet named Terry would most definitely be an instigator."
But perhaps the most-cinematic take came from a third viewer who commented: "Terry looks like the head of the neighborhood cat mafia, eyeing his next target."
Some users have compared Terry to American actor Ron Perlman, who starred as the title character in the 2004 action-horror film Hellboy.
"Ron [Perlman] giving attitude from the roof," said a fourth user.
The viral clip perfectly captures the familiar, comedic drama of pet rivalry, proving once again that internet users can't get enough of the secret lives—and grudges—of our four-legged friends.
"While traditionally cats and dogs are thought to be enemies, it is entirely possible for cats and dogs to not only live together peacefully but also potentially to bond strongly too," animal expert Axel Lagercrantz told Newsweek.
Stock image: A cat and a dog play on the ground.
Stock image: A cat and a dog play on the ground.
FREDERICA ABAN/iStock/Getty Images Plus
3 Tips To Help Your Dog and Cat Live in Harmony
Lagercrantz, the CEO and co-founder of Pets4Homes, the U.K.'s largest pet rehoming site, has shared his best tips to help dogs and cats live together peacefully:
Start them early. "Some dogs just cannot resist chasing cats, but generally if they grow up together, they usually end up being the best of friends. The best way to go about it is to get them both when they're young (under 1 year old) so they grow up together. Introducing two adult pets is much more difficult. If you're introducing a pet later, studies have shown that introducing a dog to a cat household works better than the other way around." Choose the right breed. "It would be a mistake to trust some breeds around cats because of their high prey drives. However, there are plenty of breeds that are known to be good around cats because of their friendly, laid-back natures. Examples of this include Labrador retrievers, Shetland sheepdogs, pugs and basset hounds." Make a good first impression. "Regardless of the age and background of either dog, the initial meeting and how it is managed will make a huge difference. Each pet should have their own room or zone of the house that the other party cannot enter, and meetings should be conducted slowly and carefully, well supervised and in a neutral part of the home. Both cat and dog should have the freedom to retreat from the other if they wish to."
Lagercrantz added: "Introductions can be made easier by getting the cat and dog used to each other's scent before they meet, by transferring bedding and toys between the two pets so that they do not see each other's smell as alien.
"For the initial interaction, keep the dog or puppy on a lead, or keep a baby gate between the two animals so that they can see and smell each other without coming into direct contact."
Newsweek reached out to @itscalledholly for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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