Who is Belle the dog? ‘Shocked’ pup takes over social media

Belle the ‘shocked’ dog is going viral on social media once again after her owner explained why she has such a unique and surprised expression.

In 2022, the internet became inundated with a new meme: a strange-looking (but totally adorable) dog with a permanently shocked expression on its face.

The original image was actually posted to Facebook marketplace when her owner was trying to sell an old mirror. Belle decided to ‘photobomb’ the picture, looking into the mirror as though she was totally baffled by her own reflection.

While her owners didn’t end up selling the mirror, the photo went viral and quickly became a meme. Now, folks often use it as a reaction image to express shock and disbelief at something.

In fact, Belle is responsible for several viral reaction pics; aside from her mirror selfie, Belle’s photos are so silly that the internet has taken them and photoshopped many of them into hilarious responses for all sorts of things.

Three years later, Belle is going viral once again after her owner revealed the reason why her surprised face is so unique.

Belle’s origin story goes viral on TikTok

As explained in a TikTok video posted on September 27, 2025, Belle’s owners adopted her from the Humane Society when she was just a puppy.

According to them, it’s likely that Belle’s head got stuck in the birth canal while making her grand entrance to the world, causing her facial muscles to get stretched backwards.

“Everything’s there, you’re okay. But you just look a little bit different,” her owner explained as Belle patiently listened, waiting for a treat.

After taking the viral Facebook marketplace mirror photo, her owner said Belle’s fame “just accidentally took off,” and “ever since then, we’ve been able to share your silly, wonderful, loving personality with everyone.”

Commenters couldn’t help but share the many reaction memes that have spawned from Belle’s hilarious facial expressions, while others sadly remarked on how old she has gotten since becoming an internet star.