After celebrating her 20th birthday, August the rescue dog is the world's oldest golden retriever

Zoë EttingerJun 27, 2020, 03:23 IST

August on her 20th birthday.GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue/Facebook

Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt started fostering August in 2014 from a golden retriever rescue in Las Vegas, Nevada.
When the couple took in August, she had already lived longer than most golden retrievers, and they didn't expect her to be with them for very long.
However, six years later, August is still going strong. She celebrated her 20th birthday on April 24, and the couple discovered she was the oldest golden retriever in the world.
"She just keeps chugging along," Steve Hetterscheidt told Insider.

When Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt, who live in Oakland, Tennessee, fostered 14-year-old August the golden retriever, they weren't sure how long she'd be around for.

But six years later, they have just celebrated her 20th birthday — and discovered that she's the oldest known golden retriever in history. Aside from some minor health issues, "Augie" is in great shape.

The Hetterscheidts haven't had her status verified for an official world record since Guinness World Records doesn't qualify dogs by breed, but according to their list, August is the 19th oldest dog in the world. GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue, a Maryland-based rescue that shared her story, has stated that she is the "oldest known, oldest living golden retriever."

Insider spoke to the Hetterscheidts to find out how August came into their lives and how she celebrated the big 2-0.

Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt adopted August from a golden retriever rescue in 2014.

August and the Hetterscheidts. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt

August's previous owner had fallen on hard times and had to live in a shelter, where she couldn't bring dogs.

August. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

When the Hetterscheidts started fostering August, they figured it would only be for a short amount of time, since she was already 14 years old.

August in the car. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

Six years later, on April 24, 2020, August celebrated her 20th birthday.

August on her 20th birthday. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

Hetterscheidt, who has three other goldens, said August eats a normal diet, and that he attributes her longevity to "good genes."

August and the Hetterscheidts' other goldens. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

August has some minor kidney failure, but she is otherwise healthy.

August in a raincoat. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt

"We have a total of four dogs and she is a part of the pack, and is right there with them," he said.

August in a bike basket. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt

August is surprisingly active for a dog her age, as seen in the picture below.

August jumping into a pool. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt

August is not only the world's oldest golden retriever, but has even beat out one of the dogs on a list of the 20 oldest dogs in history, according to the Hetterscheidts.

August the 20-year-old golden retriever. Steve and Jennifer Hetterscheidt/GoldHeart Golden Retrievers Rescue

August is not only the world's oldest golden retriever, but has even beat out one of the dogs on a list of the 20 oldest dogs in history, according to the Hetterscheidts.

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After celebrating her 20th birthday, August the rescue dog is the world's oldest golden retriever

Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt adopted August from a golden retriever rescue in 2014.

August's previous owner had fallen on hard times and had to live in a shelter, where she couldn't bring dogs.

When the Hetterscheidts started fostering August, they figured it would only be for a short amount of time, since she was already 14 years old.

Six years later, on April 24, 2020, August celebrated her 20th birthday.

Hetterscheidt, who has three other goldens, said August eats a normal diet, and that he attributes her longevity to "good genes."

August has some minor kidney failure, but she is otherwise healthy.

"We have a total of four dogs and she is a part of the pack, and is right there with them," he said.

August is surprisingly active for a dog her age, as seen in the picture below.

August is not only the world's oldest golden retriever, but has even beat out one of the dogs on a list of the 20 oldest dogs in history, according to the Hetterscheidts.