A Golden Retriever‘s obsession with a small, handheld speaker is taking the internet by storm, racking up millions of likes on TikTok, and as many smiles. Ben is an almost-six-year-old lovable Golden who just can’t get enough of his black Bose mini speaker.
A golden soundtrack
Videos of Ben’s official TikTok account, Benjralphie, show Ben wandering around his house and yard with the speaker, playing a mix of popular hits, R&B tunes, and light and classic rock.
The mellow dog has been found in the family living room listening to “Good Day” by Greg Street, outside on the grass jamming to “So What” by P!nk, in between the bushes winding down to “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, and even relaxing on an outdoor chaise lounge happily wagging his tail to “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
@benjralphie #goldenretriever #fyp #music #ticktockdogs #benandhisbose #goldens #crazydog #dog #dogsoftiktokviral #aliciakeys ♬ original sound – Benjralphie🐶
The #1 object of his attention
This canine audiophile also loves relaxing in his bed or on the living room couch with his speaker practically glued to his side. The mini speaker is clearly his favorite toy—in one video, Ben is relaxing in his bed with the speaker pressed against his cheek as an electronic fish toy flaps frantically in front of his face; he appears to ignore the whimsical toy and only half-heartedly glances at it when it flops itself out of his bed.
@benjralphie #benandhisbose #boseofficial #summer #petlife #fyp #golden #funnydog #music #animalsdoingthings #doglife #fishtoy ♬ original sound – Benjralphie🐶
A speaker is only as good as its tunes
Many of Ben’s admirers have wondered if he really likes the speaker itself or if it’s the music he’s attracted to. In multiple posts, his family, who run the TIkTok account Benjralphie, confirm that they believe Ben’s main attraction to the speaker is the music, saying Ben doesn’t want the speaker if the music isn’t on.
According to one comment posted by Ben’s fam, when he decides that he’s in the mood for some tunes, he carries the soundless speaker to one of his family members, puts it on the ground, and lays down next to it. The family actually takes turns playing music for Ben whenever he beckons for it. Whoever turns on the speaker is his own personal DJ until he momentarily parts with the speaker or until it needs to charge.
@benjralphie Snow and Bose#goldenretriever #LaysGoldenDuet #fyp #benandhisbose #crazydog #dogsoftiktokviral #music #dog #pinacolada #snow #ny ♬ original sound – Benjralphie🐶
Not a fan of Steve Miller
While Ben’s family picks the songs he listens to, they have a strong hunch that their playlist-loving pooch prefers upbeat songs over slower, mellow medleys. He excitedly grabs the speaker and trots away with it when it plays “Young, Dumb & Broke” by Khalid, and excitedly walks and wags his tail around the backyard while listening to “Rumors” by Lizzo and Cardi B. But in one video when “The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band came on, Ben dropped the speaker on the ground—a sign that his family and his TikTok followers interpreted as him not being a fan.
Ben gets to listen to a variety of songs across different genres. His family has posted TikTok videos of him listening to just about anything from Frank Sinatra, Austin Powers, Brotherhood of Man, The Killers, and The Goo Goo Dolls to Britney Spears, Beastie Boys, Justin Bieber, and Justin Timberlake. However, Ben’s family is currently unsure if he has a specific favorite song or favorite artist.
@benjralphie Ben & his @boseofficial #goldenretriever #petlife #doglife #fyp #tiktokdogs #WeirdPets #summer #animalsdoingthings #dogsoftiktok #bose #music ♬ original sound – Benjralphie🐶
A classic tale of a dog and his speaker
According to Ben’s family, the speaker is usually on and off throughout the day. They typically wait until he’s fallen asleep to recharge the speaker until Ben’s ready for tomorrow’s selection of songs.
His family has also taken to the comments section of TikTok to clarify that Ben first started carrying around the speaker in Summer 2021 when he stole it from their son. He turns six years old on May 28 and we can only imagine that his love affair with the speaker will continue this summer, too.