We all have our hobbies, some of us fish, or even work out, while the rest of us can be found scouring Netflix looking for something (absolutely anything!) we haven’t watched yet.
Whatever it is we do in our spare time, we can all agree that taking the time out of our daily duties to partake in something simply because we enjoy it, is self-care at its height.
And with everything that’s going on in the world God knows we need it. Oh, and so does Bruce, it turns out.
Meet Bruce, the 4-year-old golden retriever who’s become a bit of a refined collector of stick
Bruce, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever from the US who has quite adorably been crowned ‘The goodest boy in world’ loves a good stick, so much so, he collects them… like a lot of them!
The dog who has been building his collection for a few years now caught the internet’s attention on social platform reddit when he’s owner Leo Icenhour posted pictures of the doggo proudly showing off he’s prized possessions.
The images which have now gone viral seems to have left the internet with a few questions about Bruce and he’s adorable hobby, but just like most of us it seems that He stumbled upon his passion by chance.
Bruce started his stick collection after a massive snow fell nearby his home and left about 12 inches of snow on the ground. At the time, he only had one stick and it was his absolute favorite.
On one particular evening he left the stick out in the field. Over the next couple of days, he was in an absolute frenzy every time we went outside, relentlessly searching for his stick.
He would dig like a madman and even bury his head in the snow trying to find it! After a few days of sunshine melted enough of the snow, he finally struck gold while digging and found his precious stick.
From that moment on he never wanted to be stick-less again, so he started the collection.
Interestingly, despite his large collection (over 50 + sticks) Bruce isn’t to play with the stick in his collection, after a game of fetch gone wrong left the poor pooch with a perforated oesophagus that almost cost him his life.
Luckily, Bruce was saved and nursed back to perfect health but, from that point on it was rubber stick only when playing fetch for Brucey – boy.
Now he sticks stay in their designated area outside the house—at the front door, on show for all guests and visitors to see.
When asked how he felt about Bruce’s new found fame Leo had this to say:
Am I surprised that Bruce has become an internet sensation? Absolutely not. He is the light of my life and truly a unique pup so I am more proud of him than anything. He is the moon to my stars, the cheese to my macaroni, and the peanut butter to my jelly.
Awww how adorable are they both?
Bruce has recently celebrated he’s 4th birthday in true celebrity fashion with his annual Bruce-A-Pa-Looza; a party in the park with cheeseburgers and peanut butter on tap (he’s favorite snacks) and a lot of fun in between.
If you’d like to wish him a happy belated or keep up with him and Leo head over to Leo’s Instagram @leoicenhour.
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10 of the Smartest Dogs in the World:
A friend of mine has a beautiful Dalmatian. Friendly, energetic and lovable, she was a perfect family pet… but she wasn’t the smartest pooch on the planet. See, she knew how to go through the pet door out into the garden, but she had no clue how to get back inside. It never occurred to her that the flap could swing both ways. So she would sit outside and howl until my friend would open the door.
Repeated demonstrations of the dual movement of the flap had no effect; it just did not compute. The dog breeds on this list, however, probably don’t have that problem. They’re widely considered to be among the cleverest canines in the world. Take a look and see if you agree.
1. German Shepherd
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No surprise here. German Shepherds are the world’s best police dogs, military dogs, and some have even been movie stars (remember Rin Tin Tin?). Brave, loyal, smart and strong, they’re the total package.
2. Beagle
Also on the list of the best family-friendly dogs in the world, the Beagle has an incredible nose that lets them sniff out just about anything. Born detectives, they’re not the most trainable pets, but they are smart. And hey, nobody ever accused Snoopy of being dumb.
3. Golden Retriever
A popular choice for assistance dogs for their easy temperament, natural intelligence and loyalty, Golden Retrievers are natural guides and also serve as great rescue dogs. Active and fun to be around, they’re wonderful family pets.
4. Border Collie
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Border Collies are considered by many to be the geniuses of the dog world. Expert herders, laser-focused (they’re known for their intense stare), and incredibly agile to boot, they’re workaholics and excellent athletes. Just don’t expect to keep one cooped up in an apartment.
5. Poodle
Did you know poodles were originally hunting dogs? They respond very well to training and are quick to learn tricks. So don’t let the fluffy looks and styled mane fool you! These dogs are among the smart canines around. Plus, they’re among the best dogs in the world for those who suffer allergies.
6. Belgian Malinois
A terrific military dog, the Malinois is a natural herder, tracker and worker. Smart, trainable and protective, these dogs require an owner who knows what he or she is doing. In addition to the military, Malinois are often recruited as guard dogs and police dogs as well.
7. Papillon
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Named for their butterfly-shaped ears, papillons are small, cute and pretty smart. They’re considered the smartest of the toy dog breed, with intelligence levels comparable to the über-smart border collie. They’re alert and focused pets, and loyal and lovable: an ideal friend for he family.
8. Doberman
Sadly, Dobermans are known more for their ferocity than their smarts, but these are considered among the most intelligent dogs in the world, as well as one of the most effective guard dogs around. They’re outstanding students known to be affectionate and obedient.
9. Bloodhound
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Don’t let the wrinkles and dopey expression fool you! Bloodhounds have the keenest of noses, and are often used for trailing (so much so that their evidence can be used in court against you!). These are loving but strong-willed dogs, and are often used on search and rescue missions.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
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You need a smart, determined and energetic dog to control unruly cows. And that’s just what the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, does. They’re intelligent enough to herd these much larger creatures, and while they need their independence and wide open spaces, they’re eager workers who know how to get the job done.
Did we miss your brainy dog on this list? If so, write in and let us know about it!
