Leo, the youngest of the group, was obsessed with the family’s new Golden Retriever puppy, Barnaby. While the adults were busy debating the best way to flip a burger, Leo saw Barnaby eyeing the inflatable kiddie pool. With a shaky hand, Leo pulled out his phone, opened WhatsApp, and hit the camera icon.

The sun was high on June 6, 2022, and the world was settling into the rhythm of a post-lockdown summer. In a small backyard in the suburbs, a family had gathered for a belated graduation celebration. The air smelled of charcoal and sweet lawn clippings.

The video, which would later be buried in a gallery under the name VID-20220606-WA0099, captured only twelve seconds of chaos. It showed Barnaby taking a massive leap, mid-air ears flapping, only to belly-flop directly into the center of the pool, sending a tidal wave of lukewarm water onto Leo’s shoes.