A cacophony audible for miles around the Argentine capital heralded an extraordinary event: the gathering of 2,397 golden retrievers, an assembly that may have shattered the unofficial world record for the largest ever.
Excitement rippled through Bosques de Palermo, a vast park in Buenos Aires, as golden retriever owners from across Argentina transformed its grassy expanse into a vibrant sea of bright yellow fur.
Dog enthusiasts of all ages, their clothing often adorned with dog hair and slobber, settled onto picnic blankets with their beloved pets.
They took in the surreal spectacle of countless, exceptionally similar-looking canines, while children squealed with delight, eagerly petting every dog that pranced by.
Families posed for pet selfies under the blazing Southern Hemisphere's summer sun.
Sipping Argentina's traditional yerba mate drink, attendees swapped fun facts about their favorite breed — such as goldens' famed ability to sniff out low blood sugar and cancer — and shared stories of their retrievers comforting them throughout all of life’s ups and downs.
“Since we were children, she’s been a constant presence in our family. We’ve had vacations with her. We’ve done everything together," said Nicolás Orellana, a 26-year-old wearing a T-shirt with a photo of a golden retriever on it. His family said they drove an hour and a half from their hometown in Buenos Aires province for the event.
“It's a type of dog that's known to create a special bond," he said, kneeling to pet his contented-looking 13-year-old dog Luna.
Around them, fellow golden retrievers sniffed each other furiously, some decked out in costumes ranging from Argentine soccer jerseys and national flags to tutus and Star Wars bandanas.
Through the tsunami of tail-wagging and treat-giving, 10 dog-loving volunteers clad in yellow vests roved with clipboards to register each golden retriever in attendance.
After hours of meticulous counting, the final number came in late Monday. With 2,397 golden retrievers recorded, the event's organizer, Fausto Duperre, announced that Argentina had broken the informal world record set last year when an event in Vancouver drew 1,685 goldens.
“This is a historic event,” gushed Mr Duperre, a 28-year-old Argentine actor who has become something of a golden retriever influencer on social media, where he regularly posts content about his 10-year-old golden named Oli.
“I’m truly grateful and happy, proud, excited and overjoyed all at once,” he added.
High hopes for a big group photo of the dogs alone on the field quickly faded as it became clear that no owner — nor dog — would withstand even a few moments of separation. Plus, there was the all-too-real fear of dogs getting lost among their thousands of furry counterparts. Owners yanked at leashes and wrangled with the most restive dogs to keep them close.
Some said they were expecting total chaos from Monday's event but were surprised to report that it turned out to be easy and delightful — like the dogs themselves.
“I was afraid I would lose her, I was afraid she would fight, I was afraid another dog would attack her,” said Elena Deleo, 64, stroking her golden retriever Angie. “But no, they're all affectionate, all gentle. ... It's just a very lovely experience.”
The proven Nordic survival tips for beating the winter blues
What we know about A/H3N2 K: The flu variant behind 90 per cent of cases
Flu season is here. Here’s how to protect yourself from getting sick
The practice that has been proven to shorten your cold by days
Miracle baby born at 23 weeks weighing just 800g celebrates first birthday
What is age-related macular degeneration, the condition Dame Judi Dench suffers from?
