August Is The World's Oldest Golden Retriever At Age 20

AmyBrown

Jun 30, 2020 9:00 AM EDT

Congratulations, August!

As of April 24, 2020 (August's 20th birthday), August is officially the oldest known, living Golden Retriever. Augie currently resides in Oakland, Tennessee with her pawrents, Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt, who adopted her at the age of 14.

Rescued from Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Nevada, the Hetterscheidt's originally fostered August, unsure how long she had left. Well, 6 years later and we're happy to report that besides some minor health issues, Augie is in great shape!

It has also been confirmed that Augie is the 19th oldest dog in the world, According to Guinness World Records!

Story via The Insider

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01
Before the Hetterscheidt's, August lived with her previous owner in Utah.

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue
02
The Hetterscheidts started to foster her in 2014, and figured they probably would only have her for a short amount of time, seeing that she was already 14-years-old.

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

Steve Hetterscheidt told Insider, "We started fostering her as a 'forever foster' because we figured no one would want to adopt a dog already a couple years older than the normal lifespan."
03
Two years later, Augie was still going strong! So the couple decided to official adopt her!

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue
04
And now, 6 years later, Augie is celebrating her 20th birthday!

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue
05
Along with her family, three other healthy goldens! Hetterscheidt says August eats a normal diet and her longevity is due to her good genes.

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

Steve continued to tell the Insider, "Seeing as how she was 14 when we got her, and we don't really know what they were feeding her before, we really think that it's just attributed to good genes. Golden retrievers normally only live to be 10 or 12 years old, and are very prone to cancer."
06
Besides some minor Kidney failure, August is going quite strong!

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue
07
Here she is looking adorable in a raincoat

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue
08
Part of the pack! August is always included!

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

"Of course being that old she has slowed down a lot. We have beds all around the house and we have a sofa and ottoman, and she'll get up on the sofa and watch TV with us at night. She just likes to be a part of the group," Steve added.
09
Look how active August still is! Jumping into a pool like it's no problem.

via Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

"Though you think she would sleep a lot, she just lays down and looks around, taking things in," Steve concluded.
10
Happy birthday to the beautiful August! We wish you all the love and happiness in the world!

via GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue