A woman has gone viral for issuing a warning that introverts should think twice before getting a golden retriever—because they're just so popular among people.
Lindsay Gentry, 35, lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the proud owner of 2-year-old golden, Sadie, who she described to Newsweek as an "angel from Heaven."
And it's clear lots of others think so, too. Gentry racked up tens of thousands of likes on TikTok as she shared what her daily walks with Sadie are like, with multiple people coming up to greet the dog as though she were a celebrity.
In a clip posted to her account, @craygardens, on March 15, which has been viewed close to half a million times, Gentry was walking the block with Sadie as she told the camera: "Do not get a golden retriever unless you are committed to being an extrovert.
"Because I cannot get around the block with this dog without 40,000 people wanting to stop and pet her."
And, because of the nature of goldens, Sadie "loves it," Gentry said. "She will ham it up just so they will stay and pet her longer."
Gentry wrote in a caption that it was a "blessing and curse," and told Newsweek Sadie has been a "very social dog" since she was a puppy.
"I had never owned a golden retriever before and didn't realize how much people loved them," she said. "We take a long walk every day and people will walk out of their house, or cross the street just to pet her.
"She happily obliges—usually ending with her laying on her back for belly rubs and her tail whacking the grass because she's so excited. She assumes anyone walking near us is coming to pet her which is very funny."
Golden retrievers are noted for their friendliness: the breed is affectionate towards family, children, and other dogs, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Their loving, eager-to-please attitude means they have long been among the most popular breeds for family pets.
TikTok users had a big reaction to the video—many were disappointed that Sadie herself didn't make an appearance in the video, as one user called it "very rude that you didn't introduce us to your friend just now," and another asked, "why am I mad that she isn't being shown?"
Others shared their own stories Writing about their Bernese mountain dog, one viewer said: "I've had people stop their car in the middle of the street and try to talk to me about the dog."
"Get huskies," another suggested. "We move so fast no one can flag us down to chat."
And another related to Gentry: "I have a golden retriever child. Talks to everyone. Any age. Always. I am an introvert forced to be [an] extrovert."
Gentry herself admitted that she is "definitely an introvert," but said Sadie has "helped me get to know my neighbors more, which is great and very unexpected.
"Loving dogs can be a great common ground. She's a great girl, and I'm so glad to share this sweet dog with others locally and now digitally."
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