Gold Squad in Golden, Colorado

Just when you thought National Golden Retriever Day (February 3^rd) was the peak of the golden celebrations, one city said, “Hold my water bowl, there’s more.” And what better place to continue the festivities than Golden, Colorado?

Each year, this friendly town hosts “Goldens in Golden” – one of the largest golden retriever meetups in the world. These loving dog owners gather in honor of the beloved dog breed, celebrating their warm, endearing spirit and the golden joy they bring.

This year’s event, on February 7^th, is set to be even more special with Hertz as the first-ever title sponsor and also kicking off the Road to Golden, where Hertz partnered with four golden retriever content creators on their journeys to this special meetup. This Gold Squad will hit the road in our newest fleet yet, and remind everyone how travel is supposed to feel: absolutely golden. They’ll join the 3,000-5,000+ other golden retrievers that are expected in Golden, Colorado — making it the biggest event yet! 

What is the Gold Squad? 

The Gold Squad is a fleet of highly trained Golden Retrievers with one mission – to make travel feel golden. Our furry squad has appearing at airports across the country, putting smiles on the faces of stressed travelers in busy locations such as Dallas, Atlanta, Portland, Newark, and now Denver.

At Hertz, we believe every travel story matters. Our Gold Squad is comprised of creators who bring their four-legged friends along for the ride, sharing practical insights and honest experiences about their journeys — and hopefully inspiring a few new dog-friendly journeys in return!

These pet influencers’ journeys highlight how the right Hertz vehicle can make all the difference to the trip, providing plenty of space, a smooth ride, and hassle-free comfort. Follow the much-loved canine creators Pancake & Donut, Willy, Zebby and Bowie and discover travel without the ruff – just beautifully golden moments. 

Travel from the Sunshine State with Pancake & Donut

What’s better than one Golden Retriever? Two, of course! Brothers Pancake & Donut set out from sunny Florida on a multi-state road trip that took them from warm coastal roads to wide open landscapes and higher elevations. A truly tail-wagging experience. 

Along the way, many hours were spent sitting comfortably in their Hertz car rental while gazing at the picturesque scenery, not to mention a few spontaneous stops, muddy paws, and the joy of discovering new places together. The brothers enjoyed a touch of dog-friendly kayaking in Crystal River before hopping back in their rental to peruse the colorful streets of New Orleans and the rugged landscapes of Texas and New Mexico. 

The road itself is a huge part of the adventure, and Hertz provided the dependable constant every step of the way — a spacious, comfortable vehicle that made the entire journey smooth. By the time they reached Golden, Colorado, they had racked up a heap of golden memories.

Built for long days on the road

Double the dogs means double the space needed – and that calls for one thing – a spacious SUV. Not only do these vehicles offer plenty of room for both paws and people, but they’re also super comfy, so everyone can kick back and relax for every part of the road trip. The extra space offers an added sense of peace of mind, helping to set up a calm, comfortable environment inside the vehicle, perfect for long days on the road.

A steady climb into the mountains with Willy

The journey up Montana’s mountains wasn’t easy, but Willy’s owner planned ahead and booked the perfect rental for this ride – a trusty pickup truck. The journey began in Missoula and moved steadily south towards Colorado. Willy and his paw-rent encountered snow-dusted highways, long open stretches of road, and winter mountain conditions that set a slower, more deliberate pace.

This was a road trip was shaped by space and stillness, where progress mattered more than speed. Every mile was driven with care and purpose, with the road setting a steady rhythm through the mountains. Throughout the drive, Hertz provided a consistent sense of control and reassurance, giving Willy and his owner the confidence to focus on the experience rather than the conditions.

Confidence for winter miles

Wintertime road trips require a vehicle you can trust to get you through snowy highways and remote routes. That’s what you get when you choose a Hertz rental truck – stability, visibility and ultimate peace of mind.

Whether you’re travelling across Montana’s wide, open highways or easing through quiet mountain corridors, a truck will give you an added sense of confidence and a steady perspective that helps you stay focused on the road ahead.

Two cars, one golden destination with Zebby & Bowie

Zebby and Bowie began their drive east from San Diego and Los Angeles under night skies, setting out together toward Colorado. Their route unfolded in long, uninterrupted stretches, where the road itself became part of the Californian experience. From city lights to open desert, the landscape shifted gradually, giving the journey a sense of flow rather than urgency.

For a trip like this, a full-size car rental provides a steady, familiar presence, carrying you smoothly across wide highways and into higher ground.

As they climbed toward the Rockies, the road narrowed and the air grew thinner, but the pace remained calm and controlled. The journey into Golden felt purposeful rather than rushed, shaped by distance and changing terrain. By the time they arrived, Zebby and Bowie were settled and ready for their golden adventure, having traveled in comfort from the first mile to the last.

Easy miles, shared adventure

Nothing beats a good old rental car – and in Zebby and Bowie’s case, two’s better than one. A Hertz vehicle is perfect for the long highway stretches and elevation changes that make up this journey – providing a smooth ride, reliable comfort, and consistent performance across every mile. Whether you’re cruising through open desert or climbing into the mountains, the car keeps the journey effortless, letting both passengers and pups focus on making the most of their shared adventure.

Let's go!

All members of the Gold Squad share two things in common: the journeys that brought them here and Hertz as the partner behind every mile. Each drive reflects a different route and pace, but the same focus on getting there with ease and confidence.

This story does not end in Golden. We will update this page after the event to share how each trip unfolded and what the celebration brought with it. Until then, these journeys offer a reminder that great travel starts long before you arrive.

With Hertz, planning a trip like this is straightforward. Choose where you want to go, select the vehicle that suits your journey, and set off knowing the drive is taken care of. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, or with a four-legged companion, the road is part of the experience.

Reserve a rental with Hertz today.