Anyone who has ever traveled without their dog knows the look.
The suitcase comes out of the closet, and suddenly your normally happy pup realizes something terrible is happening: You might be leaving without them.
That’s exactly what happened to an adorable French Bulldog named Sir Yoda, who apparently knows exactly what Mom’s suitcase means.
The moment Yoda spotted it, he launched into full protest mode.
Instead of simply looking sad or following Mom around the house, the dramatic Frenchie climbed right on top of the suitcase and made his feelings known — loudly.
Mom shared the hilarious moment online, writing, “The second my dog sees the suitcase, he knows he’s being left behind…”
And judging by Yoda’s reaction, he definitely wasn’t taking the news well.
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The little dog sat firmly on the suitcase while crying and complaining, seemingly determined to make packing as difficult as possible.
It’s hard not to feel bad for him. As funny as his dramatic reaction is, Yoda clearly knows that suitcase means his favorite person could soon be walking out the door.
Do Dogs Really Know What a Suitcase Means?
They actually can.
According to PetMD, dogs are incredibly good at recognizing routines and picking up on small changes in their owners’ behavior.
For a dog that has watched its owner prepare for trips before, pulling out a suitcase can quickly become a major clue that something unusual is about to happen.
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Leslie Sinn explained that dogs may notice several pre-travel behaviors, including taking clothes from drawers, running extra errands and piling belongings around the house.
Eventually, those little clues can become associated with their owner leaving.
For dogs who become anxious whenever luggage appears, experts recommend occasionally bringing a suitcase out even when you aren’t traveling. Doing that repeatedly may help teach the dog that seeing luggage doesn’t always mean someone is disappearing for several days.
Owners can also try keeping their pet’s normal routine intact while packing and giving them toys, treats or another activity to focus on.
Packing gradually instead of turning the house upside down in one marathon session may also make the process less stressful.
As for Sir Yoda, hopefully his heartbreaking little suitcase protest earned him plenty of cuddles before Mom headed out.
Unfortunately, even the most dramatic Frenchie meltdown probably isn’t enough to get a vacation canceled.