Holiday dinners with friends never stay calm for long, especially once everyone actually shows up and starts settling in. Elise, the dog owner behind a popular video on @pearlthegoldenpup, knows this well.
She lives in Central Illinois with her two Golden Retrievers, Pearl and Violet, and fully leans into life as a very proud, very devoted dog mom. This throwback shows exactly how Pearl decided she wasn’t watching the party — she was joining it. Pearl’s presence makes it very clear that hanging out nearby isn’t enough when people are involved.
Dog owner shows what hosting guests with a Golden Retriever looks like
The video starts from behind the dining table, filmed by the dog owner, Elise. You see friends sitting shoulder to shoulder on a bench, backs to the camera — and nestled between two people is Pearl, calmly soaking it all in.
Her tail is wagging non-stop, tapping out a steady rhythm against the bench like it’s her job. The onscreen text reads, “POV: You’re hosting guests for Thanksgiving weekend and this is where you find your dog,” and honestly, nothing else needs explaining.
As the camera slowly zooms in, Pearl turns her head to look back, checking in with her mom as if to say, “Where’d you go? You’re missing this.” It’s a small glance, but it says everything. Food is happening, people are laughing, and the vibes are good. Thus, Pearl is exactly where she wants to be — sandwiched between humans, fully included.
In the caption, Elise explains this is a throwback from the last time they hosted friends for Thanksgiving two years ago. She further added that they haven’t spent the holiday with family in over 15 years and instead make it about chosen family.
That warmth shows. Pearl isn’t begging or causing trouble. She’s just present. It fits her perfectly — that emotionally tuned-in way of wanting to be wherever the people are.
The internet clearly agreed. With over 203,000 likes, commenters joked that Pearl was the real host, praised her “upgraded” seat at the grown-ups’ table, and admitted they came for the dog first. Apparently, this is just how hosting works when Pearl’s involved.
