No One Would Pet This Golden Retriever Until One Person Changed It All
There is no one quite as social and extroverted as a golden retriever. True to their nature, golden retrievers thrive on being around other people and will go out of their way to say hello to everyone. The good thing is that in most cases, no one can resist saying hello to a goofy and fluffy pup.
However, unfortunately for one pup, this just wasn't the case. Sitting in a busy alley full of shops and people walking by, Joey the Golden Retriever had to endure the awkwardness of no one stopping by to say hello. As heartbreaking as it was to see Joey's enthusiastic smile fade over time, it was all worth it in the end, when someone decided to stop by to say hello.
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"He Deserves All the Pats and Good Boys, That's for Sure!"
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PsEmxqrbw8Q
While many humans (and maybe some pets) would be okay not being stopped by every stranger they see on the street, Joey was just not having it. Although he was very happy to see so many people walking by, his smile slowly faded throughout the video as he realized no one was stopping to pet him.
An incredibly social dog, Joey thrives on human connection, and feeling ignored definitely had him (and all of us) in his feels. That is, until one kind older woman decided to stop for a quick second to give him a few pats.
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Immediately, Joey sprang up and got into prime petting position. Just like that, his entire mood and day were made.
"Joey sums up all Golden Retrievers who are ignored by strangers. :(" commented one user.
Another added, "He deserves all the pats and good boys, that's for sure!"
While the strangers on the street didn't give him the pets he wanted, several in the comment section are lining up for the chance.
"Honestly, if you organise a Melb 'Pat Joey meet up' I will be THERE!! Not even joking. Signed a sad dog-less renter," added one commenter.
Another person also said, "He is such a social bug..I could not keep my hands away from him."
Although we can't deny that a Joey meet-up would be his dream come true, at least we have the peace of mind in knowing that the one stranger was able to lift his mood.
Related: Golden Retriever Teaches Us She Is the Hardest Worker Here
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:20 AM.