Born in Bulgaria for show dog purposes, Meeko the golden retriever rescued after years of kennel life by gentle 33-year-old man and can finally feel real love: 'No one’s mistreating you here, buddy'

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 13, 2026 11:30 AM EDT

Dogs aren't just some creature we deem "man's best friend." They're a living being with feelings, emotions, and thoughts the same that we have, and it's important that we treat everything on this earth with gentleness and care. 

Dogs can't talk to us, they can't actually tell us how they feel, or if they like their life. There's such a dissonance in power between a human and its pet, and it's important to practice the utmost respect and decency when it comes to animals because they can't always fend for themselves. Take it from Reddit's r/goldenretrievers, where a Bulgarian-born English cream golden was supposed to be used as a dog "stud," as a show dog and nothing more. Niko, was supposed to have a life of celebrity status and hard work without the play. But fate would have it differently. He was born with some health issues that made it difficult to be used in shows, and the US person who bought him had no use for him eventually. He gave him away, and the little guy found his place in a local golden retriever rescue non-profit where he has been fostered. He spent the first two years of life in a kennel outside, and when he moved in with his foster family it was the first time he even stepped into the coziness of a home. He's on the skittish side, but it doesn't mean an old dog can't learn new tricks. 

When he met this 33-year-old man, he immediately went up to him and showed affection. He loved playing ball with their 5 year old doodle, Puddles. They couldn't say no to him, and adopted him to provide Niko's furrever home, but renamed him Meeko. Rest assured, Meeko is going to have a lifetime of cuddles, playtime, and love thanks to this man and his wife for rescuing him. Read the full story below. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10646934784
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    Cheezburger Image 10646934528
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    My partner and I came across a 2yr old, English Cream Retriever named Niko (by the rescue non-
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    profit), who was unethically bred and born in Bulgaria for show dog purposes. He was sold to a
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    person in the US who wanted to use him as a stud. However, Niko had arthritis and elbow dysplasia
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    so the buyer gave him away. Niko found his place in a local golden retriever rescue non-profit where
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    he has been wonderfully fostered since April.
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    Poor Niko spent the first two years of his life kenneled outside, and it wasn't until his foster
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    family that he stepped inside of a cozy house. He is terrified of men given his past, but when he came
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    to our house for a meet up, he immediately came up to me (33M) and showed affection. He
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    also loved playing ball with our 5 year old doodle, Puddles (75% golden, 25% poodle).
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    We couldn't say no, and are so thankful to provide Niko his forever home. He's gone through many name changes, so we are
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    renaming him Meeko, in honor of our good friend's late dog Miko who passed last year at age 14, and was Puddles' best friend.
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    Welcome to love, pets, and cuddles, buddy. No one's mistreating you here :)
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    ETA: Thank you all for the awards. I did not expect that, but I'll be sure to give Meeko a doggy treat for them once we figure out what he likes and is good for him. :)
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    Disgruntled Texan He looks like he has acclimated to the indoors pretty comfortably!
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  • Golden retrievers are really special. When I was in my 20s I dated a guy with a golden, and I can safely say they're one of a kind type of breed. Their smile will light up any room. 

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    mck_motion I never understand how people can see a face like
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    that and not think "I WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY"
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    I'm so glad he got out of that old life, thank you for giving him a second chance to be loved.
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    CittaMindful What an adorable sweetheart.
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