Hi neighbors, My name is Marlin. I go by the nickname of “Mar Mar,” “Fatty,” and “Mr. Marlin.” People often look at me and say I am a big boy. I am a big boned Golden Retriever who is six and a half years old. My journey into a perfect life began when my mom brought me home just weeks before her graduation from UCF. Together, we moved into Victoria Park. Living with my mom and Auntie was comforting, but it was being close to my grandma and grandpa's house that made my tail really wag with excitement. The promise of daily swims in their pool and stealing treats from them was a dream come true!

Several years later, we packed our toys and moved to Charlotte, NC, with hopes of a new adventure. Little did I know, fate had something special in store for us. In Charlotte, I met Tyler, a potential dog dad, and his Australian Shepherd Mia, who was a bundle of energy to say the least. The scent of Mia on Tyler intrigued me, and soon enough, our shared moments and late-night snacks solidified our bond.

Mia and I navigated our new home together, and I realized that her booty wiggles and consistent smile brought a new kind of happiness into our lives. She quickly gained the nicknames “Mimi”, “project manager,” and “squirrely” due to her alert and energetic personality.

She finally got me off the couch and I quickly learned that there are more things in life than just taking naps. From long walks, to exploring new trails and visiting breweries, Mia and I discovered we were bestfriends! Together, Mia and I explored new destinations, such as car rides to Pittsburgh, St. Augustine, Hilton Head, and Key West. We love snuggling in the backseat waiting to see where we might end up on vacation.

Life took us by surprise when we moved back to Fort Lauderdale, and this time, Mia came along too! The prospect of reuniting with auntie and my grandparents filled me with excitement, and the thought of sunny days made my tail wag with anticipation.

Now that we are back in Fort Lauderdale, our favorite activities are walks in the neighborhood, heading to the beach, and of course, boating. My grandma always makes sure we stop at a restaurant on boat days to fill our bellies with something yummy from the doggy menu.

If you see us walking around the park, you will see Mia strutting in front as I slowly trot behind her. Don’t worry, when I have had enough, you will see me grab my leash, and turn everyone around to go home (in hopes it might be dinner time). My favorite time of the day is breakfast and dinner while Mia’s favorite time of the day is anytime we have visitors. Mia and I are perfect teammates. She distracts my parents while I try to steal food off the counter, and I distract them when she wants to grab a sock from the laundry room. 

The two of us are now inseparable, teaching each other valuable lessons about life and the purpose we have for our humans. We are so happy to be in Victoria Park and if you hear us barking on the balcony, stop and say “hi”!