Coco the Golden Retriever Update

Dan

Sep 17

2 min read

Close-up of a golden retriever panting, tongue out, against a blurred green background.

Close-up of a golden retriever puppy with floppy ears and dark eyes against a blurred green background, looking curious.

It's time for another update on Coco the #1 dog! She's come a long way since arriving after last Thanksgiving. She's still pint-sized for a golden retriever and likely always will be, as she is the runt of the litter! But fear not, she still packs a bite—a love bite!

Coco the Golden Retriever Update

Golden retriever lying on grass in a park, wearing a black harness with a green leash, panting happily with tongue out

One of my biggest concerns about bringing a golden retriever into the family is the dog's size. I didn't want a 75-pound dog—presumably, a big male can weigh 125 pounds. At least, that's what the Internet says. Coco, however, is on the small side, weighing in at somewhere between 45 and 50 pounds. Still, that's a big dog for a human who grew up around 10-pound poodles. Fortunately, Coco has the patience of a saint, is eager to please, and learns quickly.

She is a working dog, but in no official capacity. Her main job is providing unflagging companionship for the boys, especially the younger lad. Her many duties include, but are not limited to:

Reading buddy
Math buddy
Soccer fan
Playmate
bedtime companion
pillow
purveyor of calm

Coco has also proven to be a fine walking companion, although she does get bored going around the neighborhood. She thoroughly enjoys exploring new areas and going hiking.

Best Hiking Buddies!

Boy walks a golden dog on a sunlit forest path; the dog carries a stick on a green leash.

Best Friends

Boy hugs a panting golden retriever on a tree-lined road, both facing the camera.

Golden retriever in a harness runs with a ball in its mouth on a sunlit gravel path, backlit by warm evening light.

Nothing puts more pep in her step than heading to the nearby doggy park to fetch her ball and meet other canines. Despite being attacked by a larger dog a few months back, she still enjoys the dog park and other dogs. I'm not sure why the other dog took a dislike to her, but he gave her a nasty nip on the neck that looked worse than it was because he locked onto her collar and wouldn't let go! The owner had to give the dog a good cuffing on the head and muzzle until he surrendered Coco. Luckily, she made it out of the encounter with only an abrasion on her neck.

All in all, I think Coco's small size will be her superpower. Like most of her breed, she absolutely loves humans and is always thrilled to meet new ones while on walks, hiking, or taking in a soccer game. People exclaim how she is such a beautiful puppy as she goes ecstatic for rubs around her ears and chest. My guess is people will still think she's a puppy and give her all that attention she loves, even when she is truly a golden girl.