Seeing My Dog’s Products in Target for the First Time!
I still can’t believe it happened—I walked into Target and saw my dog’s face on a display. Right there, next to the checkout line, was a full shelf of treats, toys, and shampoo… all branded with Max the Golden. MY Max.
It all started as a silly idea. I was posting videos of Max being his goofy, lovable self—stealing socks, giving dramatic side-eyes, and carrying his leash to “walk himself.” People fell in love with him online. Brands started noticing. Before long, we got an offer: a pet company wanted to create a product line inspired by Max. I laughed at first. But then they sent mock-ups. His smiling face on treat bags? Plush toys modeled after his favorite duck? I was in.
Fast forward a few months, and there I was—walking into Target, half-expecting it to be a dream. And there it was: a whole endcap labeled “Max’s Picks.” I froze. Shoppers passed by, probably wondering why I looked like I’d just won the lottery. But to me, this was huge.
I grabbed a bag of “Max’s Munchies”—his peanut butter banana bites—and turned it over. There it was: a little blurb about Max, with a cartoon version of him wagging his tail. I nearly cried. My best friend, my couch-hogging, slipper-stealing dog, now had his own shelf at Target.
Then it got better. A little kid came by with her mom and pointed at the display. “Mom! That’s the dog from the videos!” She picked up a squeaky toy shaped like Max’s favorite bone. “Can we get it? Please?”
I had to walk away before I totally lost it.
Seeing Max’s products in the store wasn’t just about cute packaging or social media success—it was a reminder of how much joy this dog brings to people. He’s not a trained actor. He’s not perfect. He’s just Max—silly, sweet, and full of personality.
Now every trip to Target includes a stop at “his” section. Max doesn’t know he’s famous, of course. He just knows he gets extra treats and belly rubs. But I’ll never forget the first time I saw his products on the shelf—and realized my dog had gone from the backyard to big-time.
