Goldens in Golden 2026: When 5,500 Tails Wag at Once
- Holly Mazur
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
On February 7, something magical happened in Golden, Colorado.
An estimated 5,500 golden retrievers and 16,000 humans gathered for Goldens in Golden, setting a brand-new record. Imagine a sea of wagging tails, sunshine bouncing off fluffy coats, and joy so thick you could practically spread it on toast.
Now imagine one golden in a Hawaiian shirt, hat, sunglasses, and flip flops.
Yes. That was Baxter.
From Chill Vibes to National News
Out of all the submissions, the City of Golden selected Baxter as a nominee for Honorary Mayor.
We were stunned. Grateful. Slightly giddy.
Then it got even better.
Baxter made national television on ABC News.
He did not win the title. But he did win something arguably more important:
“Most Likely to Have a Bone With.”
Frankly, that tracks.
Who Is Baxter, Really?
Baxter is the mascot and cover model for Healthy Cooking for Your Dog: Wholesome Recipes for a Long, Happy Life. He is the kind of golden who:
Greets everyone like they are his long-lost camp buddy
Believes naps are a spiritual practice
Takes his role as official taste tester very seriously
Thinks sunglasses improve all situations
He is chill. Friendly. Slightly ridiculous in the best possible way. He does not take life too seriously.
But he is very serious about helping animals.
Behind the Hawaiian shirt is a dog who shows up to represent something bigger.
The Heart Behind the Hawaiian Shirt
Baxter and Lewie were family, connected through the people who loved them.
Lewie is the reason Lew Dog Gives exists. When Lewie passed in 2020, we knew his love could not just end. It had to turn into something. Into action. Into impact.
Lew Dog Gives is 100 percent volunteer run. Every single dollar of proceeds from our cookbook and fundraising efforts goes to animals in need. Not just dogs. Any animal. Shelters. Rescues. Sanctuaries. Caregivers doing the quiet, hard work of love.
Baxter carries that legacy with a wag.
He is the joyful front man for a mission built on devotion.
Heaven on Earth
This year, Lew Dog Gives showed up as a vendor to sell our cookbook and raise donations for animals in need.
We were surrounded by thousands of goldens and their people. Puppies. Seniors. Therapy dogs. Dogs in tutus. Dogs in bandanas. Dogs who looked exactly like Baxter and dogs whose fluffy coats seemed to capture every bit of joy in the air. Tumbleweeds of golden retriever hair rolled down the street like nature’s own parade confetti.
People stopped by our booth to:
• Meet Baxter
• Flip through the cookbook
• Donate to help animals they may never meet
There is something powerful about gathering thousands of people who love animals in one place. It reminds you that kindness is not rare. It is simply waiting for an invitation.
It truly felt like heaven on Earth. Thousands of people gathering not just to celebrate a breed, but to celebrate love, loyalty, and the quiet goodness animals bring into the world.
What This Really Means
Yes, Baxter wore flip flops.
Yes, he made national news.
Yes, he may or may not be drafting his platform for 2027.
But the bigger story is this:
A golden retriever in a Hawaiian shirt can bring people together. And when people come together around love, real impact follows.
That is what Goldens in Golden gave us this year.
5,500 goldens.
16,000 people.
One nonprofit powered by volunteers.
And a whole lot of bones to have.
Baxter may be chill.
But the mission is not.
And we are just getting started.
At Lew Dog Gives, we believe compassion for animals and all beings is part of that same spiritual practice. If this story moved you, please consider supporting our mission to spread kindness, care, and humane stewardship for animals and people everywhere. You can donate directly at Lew Dog Gives and help carry this spirit of peace into meaningful action for those who need it most.
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