Why Everyone Is Watching a 13-Year-Old Pug on TikTok

For one thing, Noodle approves of laying around most of the time
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2021 11:42 AM CDT

Thousands if not millions of people are apparently deciding what to do on any given day based on whether an old pug decides to use his legs or not. For years, New York City's Jonathan Graziano has been playing a game with his 13-year-old pug, Noodle, called "bones or no bones." Most mornings, Graziano picks up Noodle from his bed and stands him upright. If the dog is up for using his legs (ie, if he "woke up with bones"), it's a "bones" day and Graziano opts to exert similar energy, perhaps by taking a risk or living big, per NPR.

If Noodle falls over, it's a "no bones" day, and Graziano doesn't feel guilty about taking it easy or bailing on plans. And now, others have caught on. Since he began sharing videos of the game, Graziano has amassed 2.3 million followers on TikTok, where #nobones has been viewed 250 million times. Followers have been posting their own videos, showing what their day looks like based on Noodle's action, or lack thereof. One even claimed to have won $500,000 with a lottery ticket purchased on a "bones day," per USA Today.

The game has also spawned a catchy original song. "If it's a 'no bones' day, I just stay in bed / Noodle said it's fine if I don't get dressed / his legs are made of jello, sorry you didn't get the memo," goes the song from @notthemaincharacters. The trend is also crossing social media platforms, as "bonesday" was trending Monday on Twitter, per NPR. For the record, Wednesday is a "bones" day, as revealed live on the Today show. "I hope you all treat yourself today," Graziano said in a TikTok video following the reveal. "If you haven't bought that jet ski, now is the time." (More TikTok stories.)

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