Not having a dog does not necessarily mean not having a dog. Yes, it’s true: it can be invisible. What started as a simple joke in Germany ended up becoming a serious movement, and now people are walking around parks with their invisible pets – it’s called Hobby Dogging.
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The movement involves walking an imaginary dog that is on an – obviously – empty collar. Inevitably, the situation attracts everyone’s attention, provokes laughter and surprises those who come across the scene.
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It ended up on TV
Hobby Dogging even made it onto German screens. In the town of Ratingen, a journalist decided to test it and it became almost a tourist attraction for those passing by. He simulated shooting, commanding and playing with his imaginary best friend.
In 2009, an improvisation group had already reproduced a scene like this in New York
“Stop pulling! He pulls a lot. Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. He always jumps,” he interacted when he saw the scene.
Much like other human behaviors related to the pet world, the movement is also extremely unusual. However, he quickly gained fame and popularity. Workshops began to teach the practice: how to guide the animal during the walk and even how to behave with other dogs.
No deletion
According to the creators of Hobby Dogging, the practice does not exclude any group, everyone can be part of it. “It’s something everyone can do. Children, young people, elderly people, dog owners… It’s fun.” The idea is to offer unconventional pleasure.
Hobby Dogging has become a cultural trend
For those who have joined the movement, there are several reasons. For some, this can be a kind of training before having a real pet. For others, it’s a different way to exercise. In other words, what was just a joke ended up becoming a cultural phenomenon with many other meanings.
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