When I saw today’s question—Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?—my first thought was that this could get dangerous pretty quickly. Comparing people to animals usually doesn’t end well. Some comparisons sound flattering. Others… not so much.
But if I’m being honest about it, the animal that probably fits me best is a golden retriever.
Golden retrievers are known for being loyal, and that’s something I value deeply. When I care about people—family, friends, students—I’m pretty committed to them. Loyalty matters. Relationships matter. A golden retriever sticks with its people, and I’d like to think I do the same.
They’re also intelligent, but not in a show-off way. Retrievers pay attention. They notice things. Sometimes they’re watching quietly when no one realizes it. That feels familiar to me as a teacher and a writer. A lot of what I do involves observing people, situations, and little details that others might miss.
Of course, retrievers are also famous for being easily distracted. A bird flies by, a ball rolls across the yard, and suddenly their attention goes somewhere else. That sounds about right, too. Some days I can focus on the smallest details for a long time. Other days something shiny comes along and my brain chases it down the street.
Golden retrievers are affectionate animals. They enjoy giving affection and getting it in return. That part fits me as well. I’ve always believed that the best parts of life involve connection with the people around us.
When it comes to food, retrievers are not exactly picky. They’ll eat just about anything that appears in the bowl. That’s fairly accurate in my case, too. I’m not terribly hard to please when it comes to food. On the other hand, like a retriever who enjoys a particularly good treat, I do appreciate the finer things now and then—whether that’s a good meal, a well-written book, or a carefully crafted glass of bourbon.
And finally, retrievers are active without being hyperactive. They’ll run when it’s time to run, but they’re also perfectly content lying around the house with the people they care about. That probably describes my pace of life pretty well.
So if I had to choose an animal comparison, I suppose I’d go with the golden retriever.
Loyal. Observant. Occasionally distracted. Happy to show affection. Not too picky—but appreciative of a good treat when it comes along.
All things considered, there are worse animals to resemble.
Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
I think your golden and mine could be pals.