Golden rule: Dazzling day out for 1000 smiling dogs (and their devotees)

“When I die, this is where I want to go,” Kate said, observing the peaceful tableau of people and dogs, ringed by stalls selling goldie-themed merchandise.

“I love goldens, and I couldn’t imagine anything better than being surrounded by them 24/7,” Kate says.

“They’re happy, they’re fun, they’re loyal. This little guy, he brings a smile to our faces all day, every day.”

Kate’s husband, Thomas Prostamo, grew up with German shepherds as pets, but he bought Murphy as a puppy for Kate’s birthday, knowing she loved the breed.

Thomas says he is now “a convert” to golden retrievers. Kate said Murphy had broken Thomas’ rules, from “he doesn’t come inside the house” to “he’s not allowed on the bed”.

Among the crowd that posed for a mass photograph was Ryan Mok, who pushed a pram ferrying 15-year-old goldie Lok Lok, who was dressed in clothes and a hat.

Mok, from Officer in Melbourne’s south-east, said the dog, whose name means “happy” in Cantonese, has suffered a brain tumour and can’t walk far, hence the pram.

When Mok and his wife, Carina Fung, migrated from Hong Kong, they could never have left Lok Lok behind.

“He’s part of the family. He means everything.”

Kathy Walker said she and her dog, Douglas D, drove eight hours from their home in Macclesfield in the Adelaide Hills to join the Gold Rush and be among people “who love the same things that you love”.

Walker adopted Doug at age four after he was rescued. He was reactive around other dogs, but with some training has become a happy, placid dog, who stole her heart.

The event’s volunteer organiser, Carly Fitzgerald, said it’s the biggest annual fundraiser for Rescuing Golden Retrievers in Victoria. Entry was $25 per dog and a gold coin for humans and the winery didn’t charge a fee or bond.

Funds went towards the rehoming and rehabilitation of relinquished golden retrievers. Proceeds of the $5 per car parking fee went to Myrniong fire brigade.