Last Saturday, despite the frigid temperatures, those in Golden were greeted with wet noses and fur, happy wagging tails, and smiling people. Hundreds of dogs and their owners showed up to celebrate National Golden Retriever Day for the Goldens in Golden event. Despite heavy snowfall, dogs and friends were hardy.
Among the many pet owners were three friends Angie Vogel, Catie Procuniar and Amanda Hagberg with their goldens Charlie and Walter. The three have been coming to celebrate for years and 14-year-old good boy Charlie now spices up the party with his cool doggie wagon, perfect for helping him navigate the unexpectedly snowy day in his old age.
“It was such a wonderful event, a positive environment and everyone was in a state of bliss,” Charlie’s owner Procuniar said. “Truly one of the most enjoyable and happy days of my life. Even with the weather, it didn’t stop anyone from having a great time. Just smiles everywhere you look and sooo many Goldens!”
Charlie and his quartet were all staying warm despite the quick change in weather, turning from rain in the early morning to a snowstorm by midday. Multiple people questioned whether the snow was worth braving, including Carl Filoreto, his family and their Golden, also called Charlie.
“My wife and I had a long discussion about whether it would be worth the effort to go to this year’s Goldens in Golden,” Filoreto said “I’ve attended every one since its inception, so I was leaning toward attending. We did a poll of our kids, both 27 and living in the area, and the decision was made to go. We figured, hey, it’s Colorado and there isn’t good weather or bad weather, there’s just weather.”
The Goldens brought all the light and energy needed to brighten up Pafet Park on Feb. 3, with everyone petting other dogs, and sharing food, pup cups, and warm beverages. People meandered around, visiting vendors stationed around the park and had their photos taken with their dogs under the welcome arch. Filoreto admitted the weather did dampen the festivities a bit. This year the Denver metro area experienced an early snow with heavy, saturated flakes..
“Last year it was a beautiful day and there were thousands more people and dogs there. Our whole family was there as well as some in-laws,” Filoreto said. “[This year] we met our son Luke and his girlfriend Courtney there, but the weather was definitely a bummer. My wife and I were wearing the typical Colorado wet gear wardrobe and we were just drenched in heavy, wet snow.”
Any size dog from puppies to adults—even non-Golden Retrievers—was there, allowing everyone to join in and have tons of fun with more dogs than one could imagine. While many furry friends stole the show sporting funny hats, accessories and stylish rain and snow coats, one dog donned a pink raincoat that was particularly fetching. Her owners Melina Farahmand and Esme Filardi wore their own snow-day coats to match her winter pup style. Soleil, or “Golden Girl Soleil Lux” as her Instagram account refers to her, had lots of fun thrashing around in the snow in her pretty pink raincoat.
Even dogless Coloradans came by to take part in the fun, including sisters Blakeleigh and Berkleigh McCarty who attended the event for the first time this year saying that “it produced an overload of serotonin” to see that many dogs in one place. Upon first imagining the event, Berkleigh said she pictured thousands of Golden Retrievers off-leash running toward her.
“We weren’t expecting this crazy weather but the dogs make it all worth it,” Blakeleigh said. “We don’t even own a Golden but we just love dogs more than anything so we came all the way down from Boulder to join the fun.”