GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Pet breed
“I grew up wishing I could someday own a Golden Retriever. But my parents, both having had bad experiences with stray dogs when they were younger, never allowed me to have one. Until one day, I got one and kept it a secret until it was time to pick up the puppy. My father had the shock of his life when we were already driving back home with little Sky in tow. For the first few weeks, it was just me taking care of Sky. But in the succeeding months, my father slowly started to enjoy bathing Sky and my mother started to buy every dog toy she could find for Sky. Fast forward to today, Sky now sleeps in our parents’ room every night, and between my sister and me, Sky has become their favorite child. It took one adorable little golden fluffball to change how my parents see dogs, and now, my parents can’t help but stop and pet every dog they encounter. And Sky, who was at first just my dog, now became an important part of our family.”
What’s the best thing about your pet?
“Among all of us in the family, Sky wins the “Mr. Congeniality” award. He loves attention and is always the first to greet and entertain anyone who visits our house. He will follow you around, lick you and charm you with his puppy dog eyes until you become his friend.”
What tip can you give to people who want to be responsible pet owners?
“Pets are a long-term responsibility. My advice is to do your research first on the kind of animal and the specific breed before getting one since every animal and every breed have their own distinct demeanor. That way, you can choose which one better suits you, your lifestyle and the people who will also have to live with your pet.”