Heartbreaking photo of depressed bulldog Big Poppa watching kids play from balcony is all of us in lockdown
A heartbreaking photograph of an adorable English bulldog looking longingly at some children he used to play with before the pandemic lockdown has gone viral.
Thousands of social media users have responded to the picture saying that they can definitely relate to his quarantine troubles. Costume designer Rashida Ellis who hails from Atlanta, Georgia took to Twitter to share the picture of Big Poppa, a three-year-old bulldog looking very sad as he sat in the balcony.
She had captioned the image, "Big Poppa has been so sad today, I think he miss[es] playing with the kids in the building. He just watches them from the patio." The picture has received a lot of attention including that of 'Game of Thrones' star Maisie Williams and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
The 23-year-old Maisie Williams took to Twitter to respond to say that she had fallen in love with the pooch. "Not being dramatic but I would literally die for Big Poppa," she shared. Author Jessica Valenti also commented and shared, "We need to make the world a better one for Big Poppa."
Talk show host Ellen wrote, "Stay inside. Flatten this curve. Do it for Big Poppa." Ellen is also one among those who have highlighted the importance of social distancing so the Big Poppa can once again meet his friends.
Rashida Ellis also revealed how she is trying to do all she can to make her beloved pet feel better including giving him hugs but to no avail. "I've been trying but he loves children more than anything and not being able to play with them daily but he can see them... I think it's taking a toll on him," she added.
She later shared another picture of Big Poppa who still looked very sad as he lounged around in his new doggie bed on their balcony. "I bought Poppa a new bed during lockdown. It arrived too small but he wouldn't get out of it."
The pet pooch boasts of his own Instagram handle which has amassed more than 18,900 followers and has many pictures of the cutie moping around (like the rest of us) during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown that has gripped the world.
While speaking to Buzzfeed News, Rashida revealed, "The sad thing is we have to social-distance even him. When he's inside, he just walks out to the patio looking for people. He's sleeping more. He's a little sluggish. I can tell he's not as happy and excited as he usually is. He's probably tired of just me playing with him."
She also shared how Big Poppa was staring out of the balcony at two brothers playing in the courtyard and had tried to get their attention. "He kept making noises to get their attention, but we're six stories up and they can't hear him. I was like, Oh my god, he's really sad."
Many people have been sharing pictures of their pooches during lockdown to let Rashida know that Big Poppa isn't the only one feeling the sting of the lockdown. One person shared, "My bulldog is also kinda bored but is enjoying the quarantine cuddles. But on HIS terms."
"Same energy from my girl, Large Marge," another wrote alongside a pic of their dog.