Plenty has changed in the past two decades, and this golden retriever has seen it all.
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August, or Augie as she’s known to Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt of Oakland, Tennessee, was born on April 24, 2000. This year, she celebrated her 20th birthday, making her the oldest known golden in the history of the breed!
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For comparison, most golden retrievers have a life span of 10 to 12 years. While there have been reports of some of these dogs living into their late teens, there’s never been a recorded case of a golden hitting double decades. Clearly, Augie never got that memo because she’s still going strong!
Golden Hearts shared the news of her history-making birthday on their blog, and now her longevity is going viral.
She celebrated her record-setting day in style with her canine siblings, Sherman, Belle, and Bruce. She even got her own bone-shaped dessert!
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Her family originally planned a big birthday bash with over 100 human guests, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to mix things up.
“She had a dog-friendly carrot cake, the interior of the house was completely decorated,” Jennifer said. “She got all her favorite foods like blueberries, bread, and pasta, of course, in moderation.”
Considering her advanced years, Augie is very healthy! When she was 14, she was diagnosed with kidney problems, but they’re easily managed with special food and supplements.
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She first came to live with Jennifer and Steve, who volunteered at the animal shelter where she was surrendered, at 14. The persevering pup had already been re-homed twice.
When her parents saw her and heard her story, they immediately fell in love. They took Augie to her new home, where she’s been a happy, healthy addition to their pack ever since!
“She’ll stumble now and then, but as long as she can get a grip where she is, she can get up,” Jennifer said. “Even though she’s easy to care for, we watch her like a hawk every moment that we’re awake.”
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This precious pup is obviously in good hands. Happy birthday, Augie! We’re already looking forward to wishing you well when you turn 21!
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