Golden Retrievers are some of the purest dogs imaginable. Everything from their friendly personality to their majestic gold fur screams let me hug you, you’re so adorable! and makes people melt at the mere sight of them.
Let us melt your heart even more. A Golden Retriever named August from Oakland, Tennessee has been in the news lately because she’s celebrating her 20th birthday—in context, she’s currently the oldest known living Golden Retriever, according to a post by GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue.
Meet August, the Golden Retriever who has recently turned 20 years old
Meet August, or Augie as she’s sometimes affectionately referred to. She’s a Golden Retriever born on April 24, 2000, and during her life, she has been rehomed twice before she eventually found her furever home in Oakland, Tennessee along with her two human companions, Steve and Jennifer.
Augie was 14 when she was adopted for the last time. Most tend not to adopt Golden Retrievers at such an age, as a typical lifespan of such a dog is 10 to 12 years. Knowing well enough that she’s an aged dog, the couple adopted her anyway.
Little did they know that she would continue living for another 6 years to reach a very venerable age of 20, and will become the first known Golden Retriever to grow that old.
Augie, as she's often affectionately called, became the oldest living Golden Retriever known to date
In celebration of this joyous occasion, GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue shared a post on Facebook. Along with the caption briefly introducing August and congratulating her on her 20th birthday, the rescue also included several photos of the adorable pup and how she celebrated her birthday.
There was a huge banner printed out and a delicious looking carrot cake made in celebration of the special occasion. She spent the day with her human companions and doggie siblings Sherman, Belle, and Bruce.
For a 20-year-old dog, August is surprisingly healthy, said Jennifer. She has minimal problems moving around, with a little bit of shaking when first getting up, and enjoys daily walks in the yard.
People found out about her when GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue shared a congratulatory Facebook post, which soon went viral
When she was 14, she was diagnosed with kidney problems, but she has since then started eating a mix of wet and dry food and taking some supplements to help mitigate the issue.
“There are many accounts of 17 or 18-year-old goldens, and even a few stories about 19-year-old goldens, but Augie is the first golden retriever to ever reach the big two-oh,” explained GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue in an article dedicated to August.
This is quite impressive considering that Golden Retrievers typically live just 10 to 12 years
Now, just think about it. This dog was born in 2000, Bill Clinton was President, Sony had just released the Sony PlayStation 2 in Japan, Nokia 3310 was the best selling phone, and movies like Gladiator and X-Men came out that year. That’s how old August is.
The rescue’s post soon went viral, accumulating over 16,000 reactions with 11,000 comments, mostly congratulatory, and 23,000 shares.
She spent the day with her human companions and doggy siblings eating dog-friendly carrot cake
The GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue also has some tips on how to make sure your Golden Retriever lives long and prospers (which actually fits most dogs, not just retrievers):
1. Listen to your veterinarian, as they will know your dog and will be able to give the best recommendations and plan actions to keep them healthy.
2. Listen to your dog. They communicate even without communicating—if you see them react negatively to food or certain activities, then change it up.
3. Feed your dog a quality dog food, as better food will ensure better health, a better mood for your dog, and you’ll avoid most of the vet bills that you’ll be otherwise saving for with poorer quality chow.
4. Groom your golden retriever regularly, as it will keep them looking their best and keep them healthy as it prevents things like ear infections, gum and teeth or even skin issues.
5. Lastly, exercise your golden retriever regularly to keep their heart and muscle strong.
There are many accounts of 17, 18 and even 19-year-old Golden Retrievers, but never about a 20-year-old one
A huge happy birthday to Augie! May you get all the pets and cuddles.
Why not congratulate Augie in the comment section below? While you’re at it, tell us about your puppers and let us know what you think about all of this!
People online loved it and sent their congratulations to August the adorable Golden Retriever
