A police dog has stolen hearts across Malaysia after viral videos showed the four-legged officer trading its stern image for belly rubs and cuddles at a National Day rehearsal.
Xiao Bao, a working K9 attached to the Malaysian Prison Department, became an unexpected crowd favourite during rehearsals for the 31 August National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya. Videos circulating on social media showed the dog happily approaching members of the public who called out his name, stopping to accept pats before flopping onto his back with all four paws in the air, The Star reported.
The contrast between Xiao Bao’s playful demeanour and the typically disciplined image of police dogs quickly caught the internet’s attention. Netizens flooded social media with reactions, many noting the dog seemed far more interested in making friends than maintaining a tough exterior.
One post that drew thousands of views summed up the mood. “Just looking at him makes me want to cuddle and hug him. He’s so cute. You’re a K9, you know. Can you be a little fierce? His name is Xiao Bao,” Threads user @leeya_liiya wrote. The remark was widely shared, with others pointing out that his name, which means “little treasure” in Mandarin, made his gentle nature all the more fitting.
Other social media users joined in with humorous commentary. One account joked that Xiao Bao had been “recruited” and was simply taking the opportunity to mingle with fans before returning to serious duties during the actual parade. Another playfully claimed to speak on the dog’s behalf, saying he was spending two weeks being friendly with the public before getting back to his mission.
Xiao Bao’s moment in the spotlight follows closely after another animal won over crowds at the same event. A day earlier, a ginger cat known as King Oyen became a fixture at the National Day full rehearsal, arriving in a Jalur Gemilang-themed shirt paired with a traditional tanjak headpiece and sunglasses. The six-year-old cat, now in his fourth consecutive year of joining Merdeka festivities, calmly posed among the crowds, drawing widespread affection.
The back-to-back rise of two animal stars during the rehearsals has highlighted the lighter side of Malaysia’s National Day preparations. For many Malaysians, the videos offered a break from the formality of rehearsals and a reminder that even working dogs and community cats can become beloved national figures.
As the 31 August celebrations draw closer, both Xiao Bao and King Oyen have cemented their places in this year’s unofficial highlights, with netizens expressing hope that their tradition of animal ambassadors at Merdeka festivities will continue for years to come.
