Puppy Gets Jailed in Playpen and Starts Rolling Just Like Rocky in 'Project Hail Mary'

If you've seen Project Hail Mary, this clip doesn't need any further explanation. You just need a few seconds for your brain to jump in-connect the dots-and get the reference.

The moment one little pup realizes he's contained in a playpen, he reacts in a way that's so bizarrely specific and clearly reminiscent -- so instantly recognizable -- that it just makes it funnier.

For those of you that haven't seen the movie? It's still an adorably cute puppy who's doing the best he can do in his little puppy prison. It's entertaining no matter what. (But, as an aside, go see the movie as it's very entertaining, charming, endearing, and a great way to spend 2 1/2 hours.)

@murphthemerle

Guess we should call him Rocky now! The playpen was supposed to contain him…he had other plans #puppy#puppylife#australianshepherd#australianshepherdpuppy#puppiesoftiktok

Sirtaki - LucasGitanoFamily

Lots of commenters got the reference. "Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!" replied one. "Definitely a Rocky hahahaha," commented another. Yet another said, "Rocky new to ball."

It was also suggested a few times that a name change was in order: "I do think it's required that you change his name to Rocky. I don't make the rules."

Others were reminded of a different tiny creature: "Omg, like a hamster wheel!"

But mostly commenters just thought this gorgeous Aussie was smart beyond reason: "Ooo, he's the problematic kind of smart," replied one commenter. Another pointed out, "I see nothing wrong with this, you told him to playpen, he's playpening."

Are Aussies the Macgyvers of the Dog World?

If you've spent time around an Australian Shepherd, you know the answer.

It's… kind of, yes.

After years working in shelters, rescues and with fosters, I never feared the usual suspects-you know, the physically intimidating ones? The Pit Bulls, the Rottweilers, the Cane Corsos. I feared the smart guys: the Border Collies, the Belgian Malinois, the Australian Shepherds.

Why? Because they were the ones figuring out the complicated stuff. They were the ones who'd let themselves and ten of their good friends out of their locked kennels at night to party and destroy the shelter when no one was there. They were the ones getting out of their harnesses/collars while volunteers walked them. They were the ones escaping kennels in the car on the way to the eye specialist. They were like the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park-not nasty or mean, but cunning, methodical and scary good problem-solvers.

Related: Problem-Solving Golden Retrievers Prove Two Heads Aren't Always Better Than One

Just like this little guy. He's not crying or whining. He's just moving into adaptive mode, like "I can still get around, it's just different now." And off he goes. Situation handled. Problem solved!

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 12:15 PM.