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Frank, a sweet and tiny mini Dachshund living in Hoboken, New Jersey, is the center of his mom Jordan Mandel’s world. From the day she brought him home, she showered him with love and attention, helping him grow into a cheerful and confident pup.
With his friendly nature and the way everyone seemed to adore him, Mandel was certain that trips to the local dog park would be the perfect way for Frank to make some canine companions. But one visit didn’t go the way she imagined, and the experience left both of them feeling unexpectedly heartbroken.
Nobody Asked Frank to Play
On that particular day, Frank arrived at the park in good spirits. He sat quietly beside Mandel, observing the other dogs racing across the grass, playfully tumbling and chasing one another. He waited patiently, hoping one of them might come over to include him.
But no one did.
After a while, Frank seemed to decide it was time to join in anyway. He stepped into the group of dogs and started running, trying to be part of their fun. For a few moments, it looked like he believed they were following him. He dashed forward excitedly, expecting others to chase after him in play.
Then he paused and turned around.
No one was behind him. The others hadn’t noticed him at all. Frank stood there alone, realizing he had been running by himself the entire time. That realization lingered, and with no interest from the other dogs, he eventually returned to his mom and hid beneath a bench.
Mandel watched it all unfold, her heart aching for her dog. She shared the clip on TikTok and added a caption that reflected her efforts to stay positive: “It’s fine bc Frank is more of a people person anyway.”
But viewers saw what had happened. Thousands of people were moved by the video, many recognizing that kind of loneliness themselves. The comment section was filled with sympathy for Frank, who, despite his charm, had been overlooked.
Frank Does Have Friends—Just Not That Day
As touching as the video was, Mandel wanted people to know that this wasn’t the full picture. Frank isn’t always left out. In fact, his experiences at the park vary from one day to the next.
The park they visit has separate areas for big dogs and small dogs. Frank tends to wander over to the big dog section. Mandel thinks he might be more drawn to larger dogs because they’re often less excitable. And when he spots another Dachshund, it’s like a magnet—he heads straight toward them. He also has a fondness for Corgis. “They gravitate toward each other,” Mandel said, “probably because they have similar body types.”
To show that Frank really does have a social life, Mandel later posted a second video. This one showed him happily playing with other dogs, tails wagging and energy high. It was a side of Frank his fans needed to see: the playful pup who feels included and carefree.
