Oliver the golden retriever might just be the mayor of his neighborhood.
Most dogs are quite content with keeping watch over their own home and reserving all their affection for the favorite humans in their life. But for some, like Oliver the 14-year-old golden retriever, there is more than enough love to go around.
Since Oliver was a young dog, he has made a point to visit the neighbors near his home. His owner didn’t worry too much because no matter how long he was away or how far he ventured, he would always come home.
Oliver’s next-door neighbor is one of his favorite places to visit.
Greeted at the door like family, Oliver’s neighbors welcome him with open arms. He comes every single day to visit them and they love it.
“Good morning! How’s my best friend?” – Oliver’s neighbor
The neighbor finds it hilarious that Oliver will sometimes make his way into her house without being noticed. “Who let you in!? I turned my back for one minute and you go in my house…how did you get upstairs?” She jokes that he is like a wandering old grandpa.
“He is a very determined dog with a very strict schedule…Oliver is extremely independent and he makes his own choices.”
Not only does Oliver expect everyone to be excited according to the neighbor, but he always goes and lays in front of the fridge.
She says that Oliver has been visiting since the day she moved in 9 years ago and he always has great timing. He waltzes into the house sometimes in the middle of a family party but nobody seems to mind at all. He makes people and dogs happy wherever he goes.
“He lets me know when he wants to go home…and he is very serious he b-lines right to his house and doesn’t go off path.” – Oliver’s neighbor
The neighbor and Oliver’s owner work together to make sure Oliver is safe and makes it home. They want him to have the freedom to venture out and make his own plans. The GPS tracker that Oliver wears helps them to feel better about his everyday adventures.
“From a puppy on he’s just had this spirit where he’s wanted to kind of wander and we let him do his thing because at the end of the day he always comes home.” – Oliver’s owner
It’s apparent that Oliver is an integral part of the neighborhood. He is loved by everyone he meets and the feeling seems mutual. The owner jokes about Oliver’s social life in the now-viral YouTube video. From coffee with one neighbor to happy hour with another, Oliver seems to be loving life.
Online commenters have nothing but love for Oliver and his neighbors.
“He’s kind of become like a little institution in this little part of the lake where we live.” – Oliver’s family
Oliver’s owner says he can’t really see or hear anymore. However, she says that he has the neighborhood ‘mapped in his brain.’ In his older years, his owner has said Oliver only ventures out to their next-door neighbor Melissa’s house. He has canine and human friends waiting to greet him there.
“Boys are ready for ya, come on in best friend.” – Oliver’s neighbor
It’s clear that Oliver’s presence has only made life better for the lucky people who know him. Oliver’s neighbors mention in the video that he has helped them through the tough days of quarantine. “You know in a time where I lost and my children and my family everyone lost any sense of schedule…Oliver has held us to a schedule. It’s an incredible opportunity my family has to make these memories with Oliver who isn’t our dog but is with us every day.” – Oliver’s neighbor
Oliver’s owner knows he was meant to bring happiness to people around him.
“He just has this desire to kind of go out and touch other people’s lives and then he comes back. Oliver is living his own life and he has a wonderful life.” – Oliver’s owner
Now watch this heartwarming video of Oliver visiting his neighbors.
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