Joey has a habit that leaves his owner laughing almost every time they go out.
The five-year-old golden retriever loves strangers so much that, in busy parks, bars, and restaurants, he will casually wander over to new people for pets and attention, often looking perfectly content as if he showed up on his own.
According to his owner, Maria, Joey has been that way since he was a puppy. When he was growing up in an apartment, even a simple trip outside could turn into a social event. Whether it was meeting people in the elevator or charming staff at the local coffee shop, Joey seemed determined to make as many human friends as possible.
These days, not much has changed.
Maria says Joey is happiest in places full of people, where he can drift from one person to the next collecting scratches, smiles, and admiration. She jokes that one of his favorite tricks is walking up to complete strangers and “pretending he has no owner,” soaking up the attention while she watches from nearby.
The wholesome routine has become so familiar that Maria, 33, from Melbourne, Australia, began sharing compilations of Joey’s antics on social media. The clips quickly struck a chord with viewers, who loved watching the friendly dog turn every outing into his own personal meet-and-greet.
“Joey is the best dog I could ever wish for,” Maria said.
“He is a very good boy — kind, chilled, and well-behaved — but he also has a cheeky side, especially when people are around and giving him attention.”
Maria says she tries to bring Joey along whenever she can because social settings are exactly where he thrives. Crowded patios, busy parks, and lively cafés are all part of his ideal environment.
“I always try to take Joey with me — he loves places like that,” she said. “Lots of people, busy and crowded — perfect for an extroverted doggo to get pets from strangers.”
Most of the time, Joey stays on his leash. But if people nearby invite him over to say hello, Maria will sometimes let him roam a little, and he happily makes the rounds from table to table.
“He does this every time we’re in a busy place,” Maria said. “He’s a massive sucker for attention.”
For Joey, an outing is never just an outing. It is a chance to meet new people, win them over in seconds, and make Maria look, for a moment at least, like she has been completely forgotten.
