Brave Golden Retriever Clutches Favorite Plush Toy Through Entire Vet Visit

Sitting on the clinic floor as clippers buzzed near her ear, the golden retriever clamped her jaws gently around a pink plush pig and refused to let go.

The appointment was called to treat a stubborn hot spot along the side of her neck, but she had arrived with her personal comfort strategy already firmly locked between her teeth. While veterinary staff gently steadied her, the patient remained grounded on the exam room floor, wide-eyed but calm, never once releasing the tiny pink companion.

The video, shared by Passionate Paws Animal Hospital in Waxhaw, North Carolina, quickly struck an emotional chord with dog lovers across social media. As a certified Fear Free integrative veterinary practice, the clinic team is trained in low-stress handling techniques to keep patients comfortable. Yet even for seasoned veterinary professionals, seeing a dog self-soothe with such unwavering dedication was a remarkable sight.

Hot spots—acute moist dermatitis—are localized skin infections that can flare up rapidly, especially in dense-coated breeds during warmer or humid weather. Because the affected patches are tender, itchy, and irritated, treating them requires shaving back the fur, thoroughly cleansing the skin, and applying topical medication. That kind of localized grooming and cleaning can easily make a dog nervous, but having a familiar sensory anchor transforms the experience.

For mouth-oriented breeds like the golden retriever, carrying a plushie serves a functional psychological purpose. Holding a soft object triggers gentle jaw relaxation and sensory focus, redirecting restless energy away from the procedure and toward a familiar, safe sensation. By letting her keep her pink pig throughout the cleaning and application, the clinic staff allowed her to navigate the treatment on her own comforting terms.

It is a heartwarming reminder of how small comforts make big medical moments manageable. With her favorite toy by her side, she walked out of the clinic feeling relief from her sore skin—and with her loyal pink sidekick still safely in tow.