Walk into West Street, an off-leash dog bar and day care in downtown Raleigh, and you’ll see the usual scene: dogs racing around, wrestling, and making new friends.
And then there’s Pogo.
The 4-year-old American bulldog–boxer mix has zero interest in joining the chaos. Instead of playing, she hops up onto a barstool, parks herself like a human, and silently surveys the room — unimpressed.
From her elevated seat, Pogo watches the other dogs roughhouse below her, offering what can only be described as expert-level side-eye.
A recent video of her “working the room” went viral, with viewers speculating about her aloof attitude. Some say she’s an introvert. Others think she might just dislike other dogs entirely. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: Pogo is a vibe.
Pogo’s mom, Grace Wheeler, works at West Street and brings her rescue pup along every day. To her, Pogo’s judgmental flair is nothing new.
“When she gets up on the chairs, we think that’s her way of letting the other dogs know she thinks she’s better than them,” Wheeler told The Dodo. “I’ve worked in a few kennels, and she’s always done this. If it’s meant for humans, she wants to be on it. She’s our little judgmental queen.”
And sitting like a person is just the beginning.
“She loves snuggling in bed like a human, sitting on chairs, bars, benches — sometimes even people,” Wheeler said. “She loves car rides and hangs her elbow out the window like a person. She definitely loves people more than dogs.”
Pogo’s aloof charm has earned her a loyal fan base. Regulars come to the dog bar hoping to spot her perched on her stool, and West Street frequently features her on their Instagram.
“She has lots of fans,” Wheeler said. “People come in asking where Pogo is.”
While she may never join the pack for a game of chase, Pogo’s mom wouldn’t change a thing about her.
“She’s brought nothing but love and joy to us and everyone she meets,” Wheeler said.
Pogo may not be impressed by the dogs around her — but as long as there’s a barstool nearby, she’s perfectly content watching the madness from above.
To learn more about Pogo, you can follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
