Me and Four Thousand Retrievers: Goldens in Golden

Wednesday

I knew that something was up. The humans had packed those hard-sided bags. I was either going on a trip or staying with someone fun like Kylie or Bailey or Debbie and Bryan or Ashlynn and Brooke. The uncertainty made me restless all night which made my male human a bit grumpy in the morning. He’s often grumpy.

Thursday

Woof! We were going on a trip.

I settled down well in the car. I like it when we just hang out together. We stopped for lunch at a chick place with chicken salad. I like chicks. Didn’t think much of the salad but the cookie was great!

After another long nap, I knew we were arriving somewhere as the road turned bumpy. I got really excited as my humans talked about getting dinner from Chewy’s, and they have great dog treats. I was disappointed as it ended up being Mexican food from Chuy’s, and I don’t even like their chips! We ate in our hotel room as restaurants won’t let us in, even though my humans exist for my emotional support.

We stayed in a hat at a place sounding like an armadillo (ed. the Hyatt in Amarillo). We started watching a great dog movie, but it was very sad so I couldn’t watch it any more (ed. John Wick).

I frequently had to let my humans know that there were other humans outside the room, but they rudely told me to be quiet, even holding me down in bed.

Friday

We were soon bouncing down the road again. I wasn’t sure where we were going but I was sure it was going to be fun.

When we arrived at our destination, I thought I could smell something familiar. It was Samuel! It must be where he sleeps. I could smell Kylie and Sawyer too. I enjoyed sniffing every corner of his apartment and looking out of his window. The view reminded me of our days in the van. I like a view.

The humans enjoyed eating something that Kylie made, but rudely didn’t give me much. They had fun playing a human board game.

I sensed we hadn’t travelled all this way just to see Samuel, but humans do strange things. I understood something Kylie said about bringing her brother Sawyer to a special event in town, but I did not really understand. Perhaps something would happen the next day.

Saturday

The ice-cold air hit me when we stepped outside. Why is it so cold? Even inside the car.

After some breakfast, we went for a walk. I started smelling lots of other dogs and then I saw them. Lots of them were golden colored. A long line of them were waiting for shuttle buses with their humans.

My humans decided on another plan where Samuel got his car. When we got to the next place, there were just so many dog smells! I tried checking out a few but then just gave up.

We stopped to sniff Brutus. I liked Brutus. He was quiet and I could tell he wanted a belly rub. I tried my best to oblige!

Samuel got excited by another type of animal. A red cow or something like that. Perhaps a bull. It was free, but isn’t everything free?

Next, I met Sunny. There were lots of her kind around. I sensed that this was why we had made the trip as there were so many like Sunny, and they were all so happy and friendly. Even their humans were more joyful than usual.

Meeting dogs was hungry work. My humans can tell when I’m hungry and they got me a pup cup. It was a big one and they took it away from me before I’d finished. I wasn’t too upset as I was starting to feel a bit queasy.

Then I spotted the sign over the crowds. This was Goldens in Golden!

I had liked the Goldens that I had met until Honey. She was sweet, but why did she have to put her nose where it didn’t belong! We became kind-of friends, but I was happy to move on.

Even though this gathering seemed to be about Golden dogs, I was getting so much attention. Everyone wanted to touch me and told me how cute I was. I don’t know why they all thought I was a puppy as I don’t act like a kid and I’m 3.5 years old, well over 21 years in my world. I was pleased we found another group who enjoyed fitting in with the Goldens.

We did find one of my own kind, but he wasn’t very friendly. I must admit I wasn’t the friendliest either, but he was almost bald!

I heard my humans talking about this being their anniversary or something, so I joined them in their special photo. I was happy that Daisy joined us for the photo too.

Milo was sweet, but a little human thought I was sweeter 😀.

I found another of my kind who was friendlier than that bald one. Perhaps it was because she had a decent amount of hair. She seemed to fit in with the Goldens more than me, but I preferred standing out to blending in with them all..