PHOTOS BY JEFFREY LIM

PART 1: THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

PART 2: JENNIFER BAÑARES’ LIFE WITH GOLDEN RETRIEVERS

FAMOUS GOLDENS – YUP, NOT JUST OLD YELLER!

As we’ve said before, Golden Retrievers are among the most recognizable furry companions in pop culture. Here are some of the current crops of famous Goldens.

BAXTER REYNOLDS

Yes, believe it or not, Ryan Reynolds, the famous comedian, action star, and all-around pleasantly crazy guy does have a Golden companion named Baxter. On second thought, maybe it’s not a surprise; we can probably imagine Ryan being a rather naughty Golden himself!

(Celebrity Pets)

BUDDY

Buddy is a Golden Retriever who has appeared in TV and movies; many people from Gen X may remember him as Air Buddy from the 1997 movie Air Bud, and he appeared in the TV series Full House as well as America’s Funniest Home Videos.

And if people are wondering, yes, he really did know how to bounce a basketball with his muzzle, and then use his muzzle to bounce the ball through a basketball hoop. He gained fame on David Letterman’s show for doing this.

(IMDB)

TUCKER BUDZYN, SOCIAL MEDIA GOLD!

With millions of followers all over social media sites like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, Tucker is the content king of Goldens online. He first appeared as a puppy but is now also doing more fun content for his sites along with his son, Todd. As of 2022, he has almost 20 million followers. Wow!

(Tucker Budzyn | Instagram)

CHARLIE, THE GOLDEN BARKER

Charlie, an Aussie Golden, set the world’s record for the loudest bark in 2012. With a bark recorded at 113.1 decibels, that’s practically as loud as a chainsaw. Charlie’s neighbors might not be so proud of his accomplishment, though…

(Daily Mail)

LAST GOLDEN WORDS

It’s important to remember that while Golden Retrievers are fountains of unconditional love, it’s important that we take care of them, too.

Aside from being too playful at times, they tend to shed a lot and can be noisy when faced with the unexpected. You will need a good broom and a commanding parental aura at times to make sure they remain calm (but the broom is for your house – Golden hair all over is not always fun to look at).

Aside from that, Goldens also need to have good dental health to prevent related health issues from cropping up. It’s the same with keeping them at the proper weight – exercise and a controlled diet will make sure that they won’t end up with lifestyle-related health issues.

So, remember: Let your Golden Retriever be the source of many golden years of fun and love – take care of them well!

Author

Richard Ramos is a contributor for Manila Bulletin's Animal Scene magazine.