A lighthearted video of a dog named Mabel has captured the attention of TikTok users, sparking debate over whether she is deaf or simply ignoring her owner. The video, posted by her owner under the handle @jpb1478 on August 22, 2023, shows Mabel sitting in her garden, unresponsive as her name is called repeatedly. With more than 313,000 views, the clip has led many viewers to share their theories about her behavior.
In the video, Mabel’s owner calls her name multiple times, but Mabel, with her back turned, does not acknowledge him. Although her ears twitch slightly, her overall demeanor suggests she is not paying attention. The owner humorously remarks, “No, deaf as a stone,” while a caption overlays the video, expressing uncertainty: “She is either deaf or has been faking it for five years, I’m still not sure.”
Insights from Veterinary Experts
To gain further understanding of this situation, Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, discussed how owners can identify hearing issues in dogs like Mabel. “How the deafness is spotted really comes down to the degree of deafness and the alertness of the observer,” Holmboe explained. He emphasized that signs of hearing difficulty can be subtle, particularly if a dog is only partially deaf.
Holmboe noted that the primary test for assessing deafness is the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test, which involves playing sounds to each ear and monitoring the brain’s response through sensors placed on the dog’s head. “The obvious signs would be poor response to auditory cues, but this can be very difficult to assess,” he added.
The TikTok video is not the first time the owner has questioned Mabel’s hearing. In a previous post captioned “day 1827 of is she deaf or faking it,” the owner tried speaking in “Pennsylvania Dutch” to see if Mabel would respond, but to no avail.
Viewer Reactions and Theories
The video has attracted a range of comments from viewers, many of whom have shared their theories regarding Mabel’s behavior. One commenter suggested, “Maybe her name isn’t Mabel,” to which the owner humorously responded, “I did rescue her and never asked her name.” Another user speculated, “I bet she doesn’t like her name.”
Some viewers offered encouragement, with one stating, “Her ears move. She hears you. You’re just not saying anything she wants to hear… Say TREAT!!! Watch her come running.” Another viewer chimed in, suggesting, “Grab a bag of chips, she will hear you immediately,” illustrating the playful nature of the discussion.
The combination of lighthearted commentary and genuine concern for Mabel’s well-being has made this video a source of entertainment and curiosity among dog lovers. Viewers seem eager to share their own experiences with pets, illustrating the strong connection many have with their animals.
As Mabel’s owner continues to navigate her enigmatic behavior, the video remains a reminder of the fascinating and often humorous dynamics between pets and their humans. For those interested in sharing their own pet stories, Newsweek invites submissions to [email protected].
