Absolutely Adorable Golden Retriever Is Pawsitively Desperate To Greet This Halloween Witch
Atlas, a 10-month-old golden retriever, has one simple goal on every walk: make a new friend and get petted. Halloween did not change that one bit.
His mom, Erin Lundy, says Atlas is the kind of pup who greets strangers with a polite sit and a hopeful boop, and that enthusiasm came in handy when he spotted a witch on a front lawn. Golden retrievers are already known for being friendly, but Atlas seems to take that reputation very seriously.
He was ready for pets, even if the witch was not exactly ready to pet him back. Read on.
After the Fourth of July, Halloween is probably the second most stressful holiday for dogs to deal with in the United States.
DogTime says:
"With all the noisy decorations, parties, and people coming to the door, knocking, ringing the bell, and yelling, 'Trick-or-treat!' your dog can start to feel very anxious, especially if they're already prone to noise anxiety."
Since golden retrievers are so friendly and tend to handle crowds of people, even stressed-out people, pretty well, it’s not surprising that Atlas wasn't at all bothered by seeing a stranger in a witch's costume.
As Atlas and his mom approached a house with fresh Halloween decorations everywhere, they quickly noticed that at least one spooky item on the lawn was not a decoration at all... or at least he certainly didn't think so!
In fact, I suspect if you asked Atlas, he'd say, "That right there is a friend, a new friend, and I want my pets." Perhaps he thinks he is entitled to all the pets (he probably is, realistically speaking).
After Atlas approached her and sat patiently in front of her, he decided to take matters into his own paws and boop his nose into "her" hands.
“I laughed pretty hard when I saw him trying to get pets from a Halloween decoration,” Lundy told The Dodo. “It was endearing to see him so eager to make a friend. I don’t think he knew how to react to somebody not petting him either.”
On that particular day, Atlas was dismayed to realize they'd be leaving without getting pets from his new friend. But that didn't dampen his never-ending enthusiasm, not even in the slightest!
It seems Atlas has made it some sort of mission; he assumes it's not impossible to get pets from the witch. Every day, he tries his hardest to get his pets, to no avail.
Maybe someday she WILL come to life and give dear Atlas his well-deserved pets.
In the meantime, we'll just have to gush over him with insights from Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist who states, "Pets can provide emotional support and companionship, enhancing our overall well-being." Engaging with adorable pets like this golden retriever can certainly lift our spirits, as noted by Dr. Eli Finkel, a relationship researcher who emphasizes the importance of joy in our lives: "Finding joy in small moments, such as interacting with pets, can significantly improve our emotional health."
Not all of us have an Atlas in our lives. If your dog is prone to stress on holidays like the Fourth of July and Halloween, it's important to take steps to reduce their anxiety and help them be as comfortable as possible on the big day. The Humane Society offers a few reasonable suggestions for families in need:
- If your pup is comfortable in a crate, "consider putting them in the crate with a treat-filled toy and some soft music playing in the background."
- Your cat may respond well to a spritz of Feliway to help them stay calm.
- Sit outside to greet trick-or-treaters; this reduces the sorts of noises that agitate dogs.
- If you're hosting a Halloween party, make sure your dog is in a safe space away from guests.
- Don't take your dog trick-or-treating.
How do you and your pets celebrate this cultural holiday? Share your stories and pictures in the comments now.
Ready for more Halloween chaos? See the furious homeowner who blew up over two big dogs.
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