DENVER — A four-year-old Black Labrador Retriever named Gunnar has become an unlikely internet sensation after leaving a five-star Yelp review for Hike Doggie, a premier dog hiking service based in Colorado. The review, written from Gunnar's perspective, describes his daylong hiking adventure on June 16 as “the greatest adventure of my life,” narrowly beating out the time he found a half a chicken nugget in a parking lot.
Kath Allen, founder of Hike Doggie, expressed delight at the unexpected publicity. “The moment we spotted the post, we just knew we had to share Gunnar’s five-star review with as many people as possible,” she stated. According to Allen, the review perfectly encapsulates the company's mission to “make dogs as happy as they make us.”
Gunnar’s mom, Kristi Gacke, director of sales and marketing for Denver-based HHM Hotels, was not surprised by her dog's newfound fame. “Gunnar has always been a very expressive doggie, quite vocal, even back when he was just a puppy. Honestly, I’m really not all that surprised he’s gone and done something viral - he’s kind of been destined for greatness from the day we got him,” she shared.
The review details Gunnar’s adventures, including discovering 17 sticks, cataloguing 43 different smells, and encountering numerous squirrels. After returning home, he “collapsed face-first on the floor, slept for six hours, barked once in his sleep, dreamed about chasing a squirrel, and woke up with a leaf still stuck to his butt.” Gunnar’s only complaint was that Hike Doggie eventually had to bring him back home.
Hike Doggie, founded in 2016 in Golden, Colorado, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The franchise business offers round-trip excursions to the outdoors, providing professional daylong hiking services, snacks, social media snaps, branded gear, and end-of-day baths. The company serves over 800 dogs each month in the Denver-metro area alone and has participated in over 60,000 hikes to date with 10 franchisees in six states, including Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Georgia, and Delaware.
This viral review highlights the growing demand for pet services that go beyond basic care, offering enriching experiences for dogs. For pet owners, the story underscores the importance of finding services that prioritize the well-being and happiness of their animal companions. For the pet service industry, it demonstrates the power of authentic, customer-generated content in building brand loyalty and attracting new clients.
To read Gunnar’s full review, visit this link. For more information on Hike Doggie’s services and franchise opportunities, visit their website.
