Recently, an image of Junebug peeking over a tall backyard fence began circulating online. With her wide-eyed stare and serious little face, she struck many as downright unsettling.

“Never been more scared of a dog,” one person joked while sharing the photo.

Others compared her intense expression to Beetlejuice, the Joker, and even the terrifying clown from It.

The Reality Behind the Viral Stare

While Junebug’s expression may look a little spooky in pictures, her true nature couldn’t be more different. The Dodo spoke with her owner, Tim K., who was quick to set the record straight.

“Junebug is, without a doubt, the sweetest dog you could ever meet,” Tim explained. “She adores people, and everyone who meets her instantly falls in love. She’s the gentlest little thing in the world.”

Still, Tim admits she sometimes looks a little grumpy — even when she’s perfectly content.

How the Photo Happened

The mystery of how such a small dog managed to peek over a tall privacy fence also has a wholesome answer.

“We have a fence in our backyard, and sometimes Junebug gets curious about what’s happening on the other side. So I’ll pick her up and let her take a look.”

It was during one of those moments that Tim’s wife snapped the now-famous photo. He later shared it with an online dog-loving community, expecting nothing more than a few smiles.

“For us, it was just a cute picture,” Tim said. “It wasn’t until people started commenting that we realized how intense she looked.”

Sweet Dog, Scary Reputation

Though Tim and his wife never set out for Junebug to become an internet sensation, they’re glad the world is getting to know her — even if her viral reputation is a little misleading.

“She’s family to us,” Tim said. “If Junebug knew how much attention she was getting, she’d be thrilled.”

Behind that spooky stare is just a tiny, affectionate dog who loves people — proof that looks can definitely be deceiving.