Lymarie Muñiz Velázquez tells PEOPLE how her service dog Nemi went from car companion to unlikely music muse after reacting to a Bad Bunny song
Lymarie Muniz Velazquez
NEED TO KNOW
- Lymarie Muñiz Velázquez’ service dog had an unexpected reaction to a Bad Bunny song that turned into a viral TikTok moment
- Nemi’s owner never expected music to unlock a hidden singing talent years in the making
- While Lymarie had become a devoted Bad Bunny listener over the past year, Nemi had never responded to his music in any noticeable way before.
For four years, Nemi has been a constant presence in her family’s daily life, offering companionship, focus and an endless supply of joy. What no one expected was that one quiet evening at home, she would also offer a performance.
Nemi is a Belgian Malinois service dog with a personality that naturally draws attention. “She is extremely outgoing and enjoys playing with everyone,” Lymarie Muñiz Velázquez tells PEOPLE, explaining that Nemi is almost always carrying a toy in her mouth.
The now-viral TikTok captures a relaxed moment on the couch, with Nemi happily occupied and music playing casually in the background. When the opening notes of a Bad Bunny song begin, her demeanor changes almost instantly.
Her ears perked up, her focus sharpened and she began howling along, toy still clenched proudly between her teeth.
@lmr.mnz
Nemi being a @Bad Bunny girlie! #belgianmalinois #belgianmalinoisoftiktok #singingmalinois @Americas Funniest @amazonmusiclatin @Amazon Music @Malinoisadventures @Puppy Bowl @Shop BARK @Petco @PetSmart @Animals_Funny😂
♬ original sound – Nems 🥰
The reaction caught Lymarie off guard. While she had become a devoted Bad Bunny listener over the past year, Nemi had never responded to his music in any noticeable way before.
That changed one afternoon when Nemi first began howling along to “DTMF” during a ride home. Curious whether it was a coincidence, Lymarie decided to test the song again later that evening once they were settled at home.
“Sure enough, her ears perked up the moment she heard the first few notes,” she says. From there, Nemi was fully locked in, responding with the same enthusiasm seen in the video.
The moment wasn’t isolated. A few weeks later, while music played at home, Lymarie noticed Nemi reacting in the same way to another Bad Bunny song, “Callaita.”
“She is definitely his number one dog fan,” Lymarie says, as the pattern became impossible to ignore. The reactions felt less random and more like recognition.
Lymarie Muniz Velazquez
In fact, Nemi had shown signs of musical sensitivity before. Years earlier, she unexpectedly found her voice at a dance competition for Lymarie’s daughter. “A dancer was performing to ‘Rise Up,’ and Nemi began howling,” she recalls. Concerned about distracting the performer, Lymarie quickly removed her from the space.
For years, that song was the only one that prompted such a reaction. Now, Bad Bunny’s music has officially joined Nemi’s small but growing repertoire.
Lymarie has her own thoughts on why these songs resonate. “I like to think she shares my passion for Bad Bunny’s latest album,” she says, before pointing to sound frequencies that may mimic howling.
As the video spread, so did public reaction. Some viewers raised concerns about volume levels and comfort, prompting Lymarie to reflect and consult Nemi’s veterinarian.
After reviewing the behavior, the vet reassured her that the reaction wasn’t harmful.
The TikTok marked Lymarie’s very first post on the platform. She says sharing Nemi felt meaningful, especially as comments poured in celebrating her as a Boricua dog.
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“As a Puerto Rican, this makes me extremely proud,” she says. Many viewers also tagged Bad Bunny himself, as the artist is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime performance.
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