Not all dogs are granted a magazine feature, but Sporty is not just any dog. The Golden Retriever’s adorable antics caught the attention of Chicago Magazine. It was hard for them not to write a feature about him especially when they discovered how special he is.
The strong, independent, Golden Retriever
David Duncan welcomed Sporty to his home when he was still a puppy. He picked up his leash one day and carried it in his mouth. Curious to see what the dog was up to, Duncan followed him. He then saw this as an opportunity to train Sporty. After a few sessions, Duncan noticed that the dog enjoyed carrying his leash and walking by himself.
He then trained the dog to look left and right before crossing the street or passing a crosswalk. Sporty did as he was told, and he stopped whenever Duncan asked him to. The proud owner took videos and uploaded Sporty’s antics on Instagram. He was so surprised when he gained thousands of followers after the video went viral!
The celebrity dog
Sporty became a celebrity in downtown Chicago through his Instagram account and word-of-mouth. People followed him everywhere he went, and they waited ahead of his stops so they can pat his head or take pictures with him. Some stores placed treats and water bowls outside their doors for the celebrity dog.
Duncan is grateful that people are giving Sporty all the love and attention he deserves. The Golden Retriever remains humble despite his celebrity status, which makes people love him even more.
Whenever they’re in new territory or when Duncan feels uncomfortable about a situation, he grabs Sporty’s leash. Fortunately, this doesn’t often happen since people know about the two and they want to keep Sporty safe, too!
Credits to Sporty the Dog
