If you thought New York bodegas were only good for late-night snacks, quick coffees, and emergency paper towels, think again. These neighborhood staples are also home to some of the city’s most charismatic characters, and we’re not just talking about the cashiers. One bodega in particular is now the backdrop for a budding friendship between a Golden Retriever and a shop kitten, as shown in a recent video.
Owner shares Golden Retriever’s ritual-like meetup with kitten in viral video
Zoey, a Golden Retriever known online through the account @thegoldengirlzoey, has become a familiar face at a New York City bodega. Her owner, Ali, recently shared a clip of their routine stop that revealed Zoey’s special bond with the store’s resident kitten, Dior.
The video begins with Zoey walking into the bodega alongside Ali. As they step up to the counter, Ali cheerfully greets the staff and gives them a heads-up not to spoil her dog too much. “She already got a lot of turkey this morning,” Ali says, laughing. Despite the friendly warning, Zoey still wags her tail eagerly as she’s offered a small slice of turkey.
Moments later, Dior, the store’s resident kitten, bounds into the frame. The little cat immediately makes her excitement known, batting at Zoey’s fluffy tail and then flopping down onto the floor with her belly exposed in a playful gesture. Meanwhile, the Golden Retriever stands patiently, soaking up scratches from the store manager. The brief exchange feels almost like a ritual, a sweet routine the pair look forward to each day. With the visit wrapping up, Ali tells Dior they’ll see her later, as she films the kitten leaving.
In the comments, viewers couldn’t get enough of the city’s newest interspecies duo. “Next time I come to NYC I may have to come and see Dior and hopefully bump into Zoey,” one user said. Another wrote, “These two minutes fully capture the best of NYC,” pointing to how bodega life often brings together both people and pets. Others added humor, with one joking that Dior looked at Zoey’s tail like it was a “feather duster,” while another quipped, “When bodegas start giving out pup cups… rent’s going way up.”
