As tough as isolation is on many of us, it can be tough on our pets as well. Sure, most of them are thrilled that their humans are home all day, every day, but for those that are used to being more social, this forced separation from their friends can be confusing and upsetting. Costume designer Rashida Ellis managed to capture this experience with a heartbreaking photo of her own dog, Big Poppa, as he watched the kids in her apartment’s courtyard playing without him.
“Big Poppa has been so sad today, I think he [misses] playing with the kids in the building,” she wrote. “He just watches them from the patio.”
Big Poppa has been so sad today, I think he miss playing with the kids in the building. He just watches them from the patio pic.twitter.com/gVooqvZ5oI
— Rae Elle (@RaeElle) April 22, 2020
“He kept making noises to get their attention, but we’re six stories up and they can’t hear him,” Ellis told BuzzFeed News. “I was like, Oh my god, he’s really sad.”
Big Poppa may just have one of those naturally sad looks, but quarantine has taken its toll on the otherwise social canine.
“When he’s inside, he just walks out to the patio looking for people,” Ellis said. “He’s sleeping more. He’s a little sluggish. I can tell he’s not as happy and excited as he usually is. He’s probably tired of just me playing with him.”
This is him waiting for me to finish working…. Every SINGLE Night 🤣🤦🏽♀️❤ pic.twitter.com/uoLavaQV8R
— Rae Elle (@RaeElle) April 23, 2020
The haunting image of a dejected Big Poppa just wanting to play soon went viral, breaking hearts across the internet.
I detest the world that hurt Big Poppa https://t.co/s58xlBV8ZE
— JP (@jpbrammer) April 22, 2020
I am not a dog person but I have thought about Big Poppa all day.
— roxane gay (@rgay) April 23, 2020
I have become obsessed with a dog on https://t.co/UrQ1gNX9LW named “big poppa” and it’s putting a real strain on my relationship pic.twitter.com/DiRhsL0LzL
— Ella Nagle (@smellanagle) April 22, 2020
Sitting here with my morning coffee, wondering how we can get big poppa a friend to play with. pic.twitter.com/YGko6Eapwr
— SaysSarcastically 🍒 (@SaysSarcastic) April 22, 2020
i will find a cure myself if it means seeing Big Poppa smile again. 14/10 https://t.co/YVarud5bNr
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) April 22, 2020
Many have declared their boundless loyalty to this magnificent boy.
not being dramatic but I would literally die for big poppa
— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) April 22, 2020
didn’t even know who Big Poppa was this morning and now I’d die for him https://t.co/VU1OEP6q3M
— shauna (@goldengateblond) April 22, 2020
I would throw myself in front of the virus if it meant Big Poppa could go play with the kids. https://t.co/OYbAC3O8Xs
— mike mulloy (@fakemikemulloy) April 22, 2020
if big poppa asked me to murder someone i’d ask him where he wants the body buried https://t.co/cGLT44hGTe
— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) April 24, 2020
And now we have a new reason to stay home flatten the curve: so Big Poppa can one day smile again.
Stay inside. Flatten this curve. Do it for Big Poppa. https://t.co/q2c9GYZMgN
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 22, 2020
if you break quarantine, you are ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO HURTING BIG POPPA https://t.co/88ium2rupx
— no/man/show [k’20] (@Total_Bummer) April 22, 2020
If you aren’t staying at home you are actively contributing to Big Poppa’s frown and that just cannot be tolerated https://t.co/3Xy53BPBRA
— Jaq Lugg (@jaqinthewild) April 22, 2020
My COVID-19 priorities have now shifted to whatever is best for Big Poppa. https://t.co/EV4lPdKV7g
— Pablo Escobarner (blue check) (@PabloEscobarner) April 22, 2020
Not to be dramatic but Big Poppa is the #1 reason we need to flatten the curve and I am 1000% ready to sacrifice my life to him https://t.co/Gglg5iYAvv
— H E A T H E R ◡̈ (@heather_yackel) April 22, 2020
Ellis told BuzzFeed that the photo is something she believes everyone can relate to right now.
“We can’t do the things that we used to do, we can’t hang out with our friends,” she said. “I think it just happened to be this dog — and not only is he so sad and cute and you want everything to change for him, but you want everything to change for yourself, too, because we’re all in this situation.”
Somebody show this picture to the virus. It’ll leave on its own to make Big Poppa happy again @dog_rates https://t.co/9cGl4Nhj85
— Patrick Netherton (Quarantine Edition) (@PTNetherton) April 22, 2020
Hang in there, Big Poppa! One day, you’ll be able to play again. One day.