By Kiersten Hacker

Jonathan Graziano and his 13-year-old pug Noodle have dominated TikTok and other social media platforms, forming a fanbase and helping people determine how their day will go — a “”bones day”” or a “no “bones day”.”

Graziano posts videos on TikTok almost daily that welcomes fans back to another game of “no bones,” saying it’s “the game where we find out if my 13-year-old pug woke up with bones and, as a result, we find out what kind of day we’re going to have.”  

As Noodle rests in his bed, Graziano picks him up gently while the sleepy pug wakes up. The type of day is then predicted by Noodle’s next reaction as Graziano sets him down gently.

If the pug’s legs stiffen and he stands up, it is a “bones day”. “Bones days” are motivation to be extra productive, put on “hard pants,” treat yourself and conquer the day ahead. 

If Noodle flops back down into his bed, it is a “no bones day.” “No bones days” do not mean the day will be bad, they are meant as a time to relax, practice self-care and wear “soft pants.” 

People across social media will blame their misfortunes on no “bones days,” or on the contrary, use a “bones day” to celebrate small triumphs or take action on something they have been meaning to do, such as quit their job.

Noodle the pug and his daily predictions have spread through the campus community as students post on social media about bones or no “bones days,” sometimes using the pug’s moods to justify their plans for the day. In the case of a no “bones day”, it could mean staying in bed or wearing sweatpants. For a “bones day”, that might mean finishing an assignment or facing a tough conversation.

Graziano has amassed 4.4 million followers on TikTok as dedicated fans watch eagerly each morning to find out what kind of day they will have. The hashtag “bones or no bones” has gained 12.4 million views on TikTok as well.

Risha Kothari, a sophomore psychology major, said the top item in her search history is whether it is a “bones day” or a “no bones day.” Recording her mood in her bullet journal is usually a daily task for Kothari, but now she said recording whether it was a “bones day” or “no bones day” was added to her routine.

“I think I caught on earlier to the trend than most people because I was the one who started using it and then everyone else would be like, ‘What is that?’” Kothari said. “But it’s so weird how quickly it’s become like a common vernacular for everyone.” 

Kothari even had a professor who asked the class if they had heard about Noodle and the videos predicting the mood of the day. When the students answered that it happened to be a “no bones day,” the professor decided to hold an easier lecture. 

Some students may not be part of the fanbase that follows Noodle’s predictions closely, but they have heard the term “bones day” or no “bones day” through social media platforms aside from TikTok or the popular platform for sharing anonymous comments by location Yik Yak.

Christopher Mackley, a sophomore marketing and operations management business analytics major, did not see one of Graziano’s videos until the trend had been going for a few weeks, but he heard the terms on Yik Yak from other students.  

Mackley said he has seen one video so far, but is still confused about the bones or no bones trend and all the attention it has been receiving on social media.

“It was just a dog standing up. I don’t understand the draw to that,” Mackley said. “I feel like it’s one of those trends that will die out pretty soon.”

Eitan Weinbaum, a junior mathematics major, said he was confused about the trend at first as well when he saw people posting about “bones days” and “no bones days.” Then one of Graziano’s videos appeared on his “For You” page when it happened to be a “no bones day” and Weinbaum instantly became a fan.

“I saw the dog do the little ‘ploop’ and he just fell down and I was like ‘Wait this is absolutely amazing,’” Weinbaum said. “So, then I just binged the rest of them and then I was like ‘yeah I’m keeping up with this daily, this is pure gold.’”

Watching Noodle fall back into his bed provides the serotonin he needs, Weinbaum said. And on days where Noodle stands up, Weinbaum said it provides him confidence and motivation with the mindset that “If the dog can do it, so can I.”

Weinbaum said he appreciates Graziano’s charisma and enthusiasm when narrating the videos each day, as he helps set the mood either urging followers to have a productive day or pushing self-care. 

“I think it’s something that maybe in culture people will call something a no “bones day” or they’ll call it a “bones day”, but I don’t think that people will be religiously keeping up with this meme,” Weinbaum said.

Even if the trend begins to lose attention, watching the TikTok videos of Noodle each day can provide a cute, happy distraction for stressed college students and bring people together, Kothari said.

“In the end, it’s like a community you know, everyone has a little inside joke, which is what I think TikTok exemplifies,” she said.