Holden the Golden

Hi everyone! If you don't already know him, this little fella is Holden the Golden. He's a quite famous Tar Heel, both on Campus and on Instagram. As we took a walk through the upper quad with his mom Caroline this week, at least 6 people stopped and said hello, calling Holden by name.

This 10-month-old Golden Retriever has gained so many fans, followers, and friends in the short time he's been in Chapel Hill, and there are a lot of reasons for that. He's sweet upon first hellos, friendly to everyone he sees, and even a philanthropist - at such a young age! Holden took to the Puppy Kissing Booth for UNC Helping Paws and raised $300 in just one hour. As he gets older, he plans to take the K9 Good Citizen Test so that he can be extra helpful to humans. Has he won you over yet?

In addition to his great personality, Holden the Golden is also quite talented. His list of tricks is a long one... he sits, spins, kisses, "speaks", shakes, high fives, comes, and lies down - all on command and all in the name of treats, of course. One treat he really likes (that his Mom and Dad do not) is a good ole sock (Or five). Attention dog owners!!! Do not let your pups get into your sock drawer. Thankfully, Holden decided after a little while that socks didn't taste as good as they smelled and he gave them back to Mom and Dad.

One of Holden's favorite places to go is where he got his name -- Holden Beach, NC. He went there on one of his first weekends with his new family, and has loved it ever since. Everything about the beach is perfect for this pup. Seems to be a theme in this blog... (@Layla). In similar fashion, Holden also loves everything about Chapel Hill. Plenty of pretty places to walk around, lots of people to pet him, and of course tons good food! Just the other day he had his first biscuit at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, one of my personal favorites too. Holden discovered the incredible taste of a chicken and cheese biscuit, just like Bad Grandpa and many other biscuit lovers. If he sneaks out of his apartment soon, I bet I know where we can find him. As Holden takes on the rest of his "Senior Bucket List" with his Mom and Dad, he has many fun adventures ahead. Soon he'll be having a blue cup at He's Not Here and going on a date (and hopefully getting his first kiss!) at Kenan Memorial Football Stadium. For more on Holden's bucket list adventures, follow along on his Instagram and Website.

I loved meeting you Holden the Golden and can't wait to see where your adventures take you. For now, enjoy being a Dog of Chapel Hill and I'll see you around. Go heels, Go Holden!

Thank you all for reading and keeping up with Dogs of Chapel Hill.

Until next time,
Lily

Lily and Holden

Holden and Caroline (Mom)