At a recent backyard celebration, guests couldn’t stop smiling at the sight of Marley, a tiny 16-year-old Yorkipoo, proudly trotting around with a bright balloon tied to his collar.
It wasn’t just for decoration — it was for love.
The balloon served a simple but brilliant purpose: to make sure no one accidentally tripped over the slow-moving senior pup while he mingled among the crowd.
“He still likes to be the life of the party, so we didn’t want to keep him inside,” said Alexa Stockhausen, Marley’s human. “It was the best solution to have him join the party, but in a safe way.”
The family had gathered to celebrate Alexa’s sister’s engagement, and the clever idea came from the bride-to-be herself, Erica. The moment Marley appeared with his floating companion, guests couldn’t get enough.
“They loved it,” Alexa said. “Everybody already loves the guy, and they know he’s an older dog.”
The balloon — cheekily labeled “BEWARE OF DOG” in bold black letters — made everyone laugh, but it also worked perfectly.
“No one tripped, so it was a 10 out of 10,” Alexa said. “He kept it on the whole day.”
Marley, for his part, seemed thrilled to be included. At 16, his pace has slowed, but his love for people hasn’t faded a bit.
“He doesn’t like to be alone very much,” Alexa said. “So I think he preferred this over anything — just to be with everyone.”
Marley has been part of the Stockhausen family since Alexa was in eighth grade, when she begged her mom for a puppy. Ever since, the little Yorkipoo — affectionately nicknamed “the Muppet” — has been their constant companion.
“He’s always been such a people dog,” Alexa said. “If we’re sitting on the couch, he has to be on the couch.”
When Alexa moved back home during the pandemic, Marley couldn’t have been happier to have his best friend close again.
“I was taking work calls, and he was always sitting on my lap or right next to me,” she said. “He’d follow me everywhere.”
Now a little slower, but still as joyful and loving as ever, Marley continues to bring smiles wherever he goes — especially when there’s a party balloon bobbing gently above his head.
You can follow more of Marley’s sweet adventures on Instagram.
