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By Liz O'Connell
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What started as a broken fence between neighbors from a tornado aftermath has turned into a full-blown friendship pipeline—thanks to one dog who discovered the perfect escape route.
Owner Halie Briggs told Newsweek via email that her 5-year-old German shepherd mix, Bagby, has long been notorious for escaping the yard by jumping the 6-foot fence. But after the fence was propped back up following a tornado last year, a small gap opened just wide enough for Bagby to push through undetected.
"I finally caught her sneaking back home through the fence right after Christmas 2025, which is when I texted my neighbors to let them know," Briggs said. "The dogs have always sniffed for each other and talked through the fence, so we didn't pay much attention to them saying hi until Bagby would disappear."
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Fortunately, the neighbors weren't upset—in fact, they thought it was hilarious that Bagby made herself at home in their yard. Briggs shared the text exchange in a February 10 Instagram video to the account @beannbags, which has since been viewed over 5.4 million times. Instead of the situation startling her neighbors, they welcomed Bagby and her undercover visits, as it brought joy to their golden retrievers.
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Briggs said the neighbors weren't strangers—they have lived next door since before her family moved in during 2020.
"I actually helped dog-sit their goldens when they were puppies!" she added. "I would bring them over to let them play with Bagby and get some energy out. Luckily, they get along really well, so there was never any concern about them playing."
Both Briggs and her neighbors planned on fixing the fence, but life got busy, especially when Briggs' baby arrived. And now that the neighbors have discovered their dogs having secret playdates, they can't seem to take it away. These hangouts occur every day, multiple times a day, Briggs said.
"When the goldens poke their head through, my dogs go nuts and immediately run over to play," she added. "Bagby does not wait for an invitation, though; just pops on over to see if they're out and sometimes waits over there for them to come outside."
Bagby didn’t keep the shortcut to herself. Briggs said her other rescue, a 101-pound Great Pyrenees named Bean, learned to follow, "shoving her way through the fence," after feeling left out and confused when Bagby disappeared. The neighbors said it looks like Bean is smiling every time she comes over to play.
Stopping Repeat Escape Attempts
A dog's curiosity and natural instincts often drive them to slip through loose boards, open gates or newly discovered gaps. But boredom, anxiety or fear are all factors in the canine's need to escape, according to an article from Rover.
The good news is that these dog behaviors aren't personal. Canines are usually seeking entertainment or relief from stress. To curb repeat escapes, the Rover article suggests making the yard secure by repairing or covering gaps before the behavior becomes a habit.
Pet parents dealing with persistent diggers or fence explorers like Bagby can use temporary barrier kits, such as easy-mount metal mesh panels, to block small openings without committing to major repairs. Or if you are like these neighbors, you'll leave the hole be so the dogs can live their best lives with each other.
Will the Fence Stay?
Instagram users became invested in the pups' friendship, begging the neighbors to add a doggy door to keep the comradery intact. However, Briggs said that, because her family does not plan to stay in the house for more than a year or two, she does not want to add one in case future tenants are opposed.
"But we do have another gate, so we can always let the girls go back and forth that way when the time comes," Briggs added. "As for now, the hole stays."
Viewer Reactions
As of Wednesday, the Instagram video amassed over 300 comments as people obsessed over the precious friendship, and claimed Briggs "won the neighbor lottery."
"Bravo to you and your neighbor. Let the pups play," commented one user.
Another joked: "God forbid a girl has friends."
Someone else pointed out: "Look at their tails wagging, waiting for their body to come sneak over."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
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