20 golden retrievers attempt to pose for perfect picture in Nanaimo
Rather than a pack of 20 dogs playing by the river, think of them as students filling a school gym for picture day.
“Oh my gosh!” Kim — the owner of Pooch Pack Adventures — imagines the dogs saying. “It’s that day!”
It’s the 10th annual Golden Retriever Roundup Day, which culminates with a ‘class picture.’
“We’ll do a group photo with all 20 [dogs] lined-up nicely posing for a photo,” she says.
Transforming this cacophony of canines into picture-perfect pups is not unlike preparing for your little Jimmy or Sally’s precious poses.
“Some days it’s definitely more challenging,” Brii — a pack leader — says. “Especially if there’s a dog that’s new or a little shy.”
While this group’s experience is diverse, ranging from a first-timer to a 10-time veteran, the retrievers’ style is consistent, with classic outfits that won’t look dated decades later and complimentary hairstyles that won’t distract from golden smiles.
“It’s like Christmas Eve the night before,” Kim smiles. “I have it all planned out.
Before the picture taking, Kim and Brii round-up the golden retrievers and take them on a hike to the Nanaimo River where they can leap off the rocky shore and splash in the water together.
“It’s a hoot every year!” Kim smiles.
After the flurry of furry fun, the pups primp and preen, before parading into position for the picture.
“It’s a lot of body language,” Kim says attempting to line-up the 20 dogs. “A lot of verbal, just asking them to wait and stay.”
“If I put my hand down, [they’re] like we’re good [and walk away],” Brii laughs. “The hand must stay!”
After countless calls to “stay,” the dogs remain in formation, Kim gets the shot and Brii rewards them with treats.
Like all great photos of a family member, furry or otherwise, who seem to be growing up too fast, it will preserve a past memory and remind our future self to relish this perfect present moment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.