A Golden’s Guide to Georgia
Hi, I’m Lucky! I’m a one-year-old golden retriever, professional good boy, full-time attention seeker and, according to Mom, a little bit of a goofball. I love car rides, making new friends and, most importantly, having people tell me how handsome I am. I mean, look at me. Who could resist?
I’ve decided it’s time to see what else Georgia has to offer, so Mom and I are hitting the road to explore some of the state’s best pet-friendly spots. From mountain trails and delicious patios to giant dog parks made for zoomies, I’m ready for it all.
Every epic journey starts with a car ride—tongue out, ears flapping and hair blowing in the wind. I don’t know where we’re going, but I’m down. As long as Mom is driving and snacks are involved, I consider it a five-star experience.
First Stop: Adventure Mode
Our first stop was Preacher’s Rock, and let me tell you, the mountain air hits different. This was my first real hike, and I was ready to explore. There were flowers to sniff, mushrooms to investigate, snails to inspect and approximately a million new smells. I may be a house dog, but after a few minutes in the woods, I was feeling pretty connected to my wild side.
Mom kept telling me to stay on the trail, but I was busy conducting very important research. Every tree needed a sniff. Every rock needed an inspection. Every suspicious-looking leaf deserved further investigation.
When we finally reached the top of Preacher’s Rock, of course Mom rewarded me for all my hard work with a tasty treat. And let me tell you, treats taste even better 3,700 feet in the air. With the mountains stretching out around me, I looked over the view and suddenly felt like I had stepped into my own little kingdom. It was giving Simba on Pride Rock.
Golden mane blowing in the breeze, mountains in every direction and the sun shining down—I was feeling pretty majestic. I may not be a lion, but honestly, I think I was pulling it off.
After enjoying my kingdom (and my snack), we headed back down the mountain and into the car for our next adventure. Being this majestic is exhausting work, so naturally, I curled up for a very important post-hike nap.
Second Stop: Chow Time
Next up was Lucky’s Burger & Brew. Naturally, I assumed they had named an entire restaurant after me. Why wouldn’t they?Mom explained that the restaurant was actually inspired by another golden retriever named Lucky, who belonged to owners Ernie and Diane. Apparently, he loved playing fetch, chasing tennis balls, riding in cars and relaxing on the dog-friendly patio. Sounds like a pretty cool guy. I’ll let it slide.
The patio was packed with people, pups, live music and plenty of water bowls. Mom ordered what she calls “human juice”—apparently, it’s not meant for us puppers. She said hers was a strawberry margarita, which honestly sounded suspiciously delicious. Then came the hot wings and the Undertaker Burger, piled high with Applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, a fried egg and crispy onion straws.
Unfortunately, Mom expected me to just sit there and watch her eat it. Rude. Apparently, it was “for humans,” but I’m pretty sure I have excellent burger potential. Mom eventually paid me in fries, which is an acceptable form of compensation. 10/10 paws.
Last Stop: Social Hour
Our final stop was Fetch Park, and I’m pretty sure Mom accidentally took me to doggy heaven. Imagine a huge green space filled with dogs, tennis balls everywhere, a splash pad and enough room for some serious zoomies. I found plenty of new friends, including a few that looked just like me! It was like seeing triple. I felt right at home.
But here’s a little secret about dog parks: sure, I love playing with my fellow pups, but they’re also the best place to get free love and attention from humans. I knew exactly how to work the crowd. My party trick is down to a science: roll onto my back, show them the belly, make eye contact, wait for the tummy rubs and repeat. It’s a proven method, and I have mastered it.
Mom had plenty of fun, too. There was a spot where she could grab her “human juice,” giant LED screens, a sand volleyball court and plenty of space to hang out. So while I was busy making new friends and collecting belly rubs, Mom had her own little party going on.
Honestly, I could have stayed all day. I had friends, water, tennis balls and a steady supply of humans ready to pay pet tax. What more could a golden retriever possibly need? Well… treats. But other than that, nothing.
Turns out, being a Georgia adventure dog is pretty awesome. I’ve barely scratched the surface, and there are still trails to sniff, parks to conquer, patios to patrol, snacks to investigate and plenty of new friends waiting to meet me. Clearly, I have work to do. So leash up, load up the car and come explore Georgia with me—preferably with treats. Lots of treats.
Side Bar: Lucky’s Must-Have Travel List
- Treats
Because obviously. - More treats
See above. - Water bowl
A handsome boy needs to stay hydrated. - Poop bags
Mom says these are non-negotiable. - Wipes
Especially for an unexpected swimming adventure. - Favorite toy
For emergency zoomies. - Extra towel
See “unexpected swimming adventure.” - Car blanket
For a very important post-adventure nap.
