Auggie, a Golden Retriever dog, has recently made headlines for celebrating her 20th birthday. She lives with the Hetterscheidt family in Oakland, Tennessee after being adopted six years ago from the non-profit organization, GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue in Maryland. This organization is dedicated to rescuing unwanted, abused, neglected, and displaced Golden and golden-mixed retrievers and placing them in approved forever homes. Auggie had been rehomed twice before finding her forever home with the Hetterscheidt family. She has been living her best life ever since and recently hit a monumental milestone by becoming the oldest ever Golden Retriever dog. Auggie was born on April 24, 2000, and most Golden Retrievers live for 10-12 years. Despite being in her senior glory years, Auggie still has a lot more life left to live.
Oakland, Tennessee is home to a lovable canine named August, or “Auggie” for short, who lives with his owners Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt. Auggie, a Golden Retriever, was adopted from the GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue in Maryland six years ago. The non-profit organization specializes in rescuing unwanted and neglected Golden Retrievers and placing them with loving families. Since 1999, GoldHeart’s volunteers have been dedicated to finding approved forever homes for these dogs.
Before the Hetterscheidt family took her in, Auggie had been rehomed twice through no fault of her own, according to GoldHeart. But now, she’s living her best life and recently celebrated a significant milestone: her 20th birthday! This makes Auggie the oldest Golden Retriever on record, having been born on April 24, 2000.
At the age of 14, it was unlikely that Auggie would find her forever home. Most Golden Retrievers live for 10-12 years, and many people aren’t interested in adopting senior dogs. However, Auggie still had plenty of life left to live, and the Hetterscheidts were happy to give her a loving home.
According to Jennifer, who shared an update on Auggie’s health with his fans, the 20-year-old cat is surprisingly healthy. She mentioned that Auggie doesn’t have any major issues with moving around, although there is a slight shaking when he first gets up. Additionally, Auggie enjoys taking walks in the yard on a daily basis.
According to a blog post by GoldHeart, there have been numerous accounts of 17 or 18-year-old golden retrievers, and even a few stories about 19-year-olds. However, Augie is the very first golden retriever to reach the age of 20.
According to Jennifer, Auggie’s diet consists of a combination of both wet and dry food. Additionally, he takes some supplements to alleviate the kidney problems that were identified when he was adopted at the age of 14.
Dear Augie, wishing you a very happy birthday! May you have all the celebrations you deserve.
GoldHeart’s Facebook page received an outpouring of love from fans who posted birthday wishes for Auggie.
As of today, the birthday post dedicated to Augie has received more than 13,000 comments and has been shared over 28,000 times.
Most Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of 10-12 years, with some even living up to 17 years. GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue has some valuable advice on how to ensure that your furry buddy lives their longest, healthiest life possible:
1. It’s crucial to listen to your veterinarian’s recommendations as they know your dog best and can provide the best care plan for them.
2. Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and communication. If you notice any negative reactions to food or activities, change it up.
3. Feeding your dog high-quality food is essential in promoting better health and mood, and can reduce the need for costly vet bills.
4. Regular grooming can keep your Golden Retriever looking great and prevent issues such as ear infections, gum and teeth problems, and skin irritations.
5. Exercise is vital in keeping your dog’s heart and muscles strong, so be sure to engage in physical activity with your Golden Retriever regularly.
This advice is practical and useful. A big thank you to GoldHeart and the Hetterscheidt family!
