BERLIN HEIGHTS, Ohio — Everything was golden, as dozens of fur babies descended upon Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights.
The rain did not dampen the excitement of Sunday’s “Golden Retriever Meetup” — a free event brought together by proud goldie owners, Emily Roggenburk and Brynn Szorady. Attendees were encouraged to bring their goldens, and the public was invited to show up and enjoy some snuggles, all while perhaps donating to a good cause: Golden Retrievers In Need, a Northeast-Ohio based rescue.
Dog lovers flocked to the orchard by the dozens, with all types of goldies, ranging from the American, known for their golden coats, Canadian, which have darker coats and English golden retrievers with the lightest coats of all. About 150 people pre-registered for the event, which featured a variety of vendor stands, a raffle and treats for dogs and humans to enjoy.
Roggenburk and Szorady said they created the event to be a local meetup, which they hope will one day rival the size and scope of “Goldens in Golden,” which takes place in Golden, Colorado.
The Quarry Hill meetup was the second golden meetup created by the pair, who previously held one in June at Crocker Park.
Roggenburk, who brought Billy, her 2-year-old goldie, said she fell in love with golden retriever after getting to know her in-laws’ dog.
“They just have such a fun, goofy, loyal side,” she said. “And I fell even more in love with the breed. And we’ve seen golden meetups across the country. Why can’t we do that in Cleveland?”
They couldn’t have chosen a more suitable location for the event. Brooke Gammy, daughter-in-law to Quarry Hill owner Bill Gammy, said their family has a “golden legacy,” and they have inadvertently surrounded themselves with fellow golden lovers.
“One of our staff members has three goldens, another staff member has a golden. Another staff has a golden. A lot of vendors we work with have goldens. Our winery manager has a golden. So, we’re not biased, but we just end up attracting golden owners,” Brooke Gammy said.
She added that the event came together, just as they added a new four-legged member to their family, following the recent loss of their beloved golden retriever.
“The event was timed up perfectly for the arrival of the farm’s new puppy, Wilson,” she said. “We lost one of our goldens, and it was nice that we’re all here to welcome him to the farm family.”
Wilson enjoyed attention from attendees and fellow goldies, even taking time to nap, despite the bustling surroundings.
Casey Jasinski of Lorain, brought her 3-year-old golden, Doug.
“He really liked meeting all the puppies and older dogs,” she said, as he excitedly greeted his human baby sister in her stroller. “He loves his little sister.”
Szorady said that people were already asking about the next meetup, something that she, Roggenburg and the Gammy family hoped would become an annual event.
“We are just so happy that people want to keep attending these and supporting GRIN rescue. So, all positive reviews, and it gets the dogs to socialize.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
