DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Kona, Instagram's Viral Golden Retriever Making People Smile

Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.

Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.

Today we got the honor of interviewing Samantha (Kona's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.

Here is their story:

Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?

DeLacey: I wanted a way to document our new puppy's life, so I created an Instagram account and called it Kona's Digital Dog Diary. I'm so glad I did because now I can look back at all the videos and photos I took of him.

What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?

DeLacey: I think it's hard to resist a Golden Retriever, and as a puppy, Kona was no exception. His fluffy ears were unlike any other Golden puppy I had ever seen. Even though he's mostly grown into his ears now, I believe people will always like to see happy and lighthearted videos of Golden pups.

How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?

DeLacey: Although I don't have a specific creative process, I like to take videos of Kona and then come up with a creative spin on it later based on trending audio or whatever pops into my brain. Once I get into the editing phase, that's when my creative juices start to flow. I use mobile editing apps so I can save the results and post on multiple social apps.

Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?

DeLacey: We have definitely received some trolls and negative comments on some of our more viral videos, but we just ignore them. I like to remind myself that people will always have their own opinions and judgments - that just comes with posting online. Instead of fighting back, I just look at any negative comment as engagement! As Hannah Montana once said, if you fight fire with fire all you do is create a bigger fire.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?

DeLacey: Advice I would give to someone who wants to start their own dog social media account would be to have fun with it - if you see treat it as a fun project you'll more than likely be more creative. When you start to see it as a chore it can lead to burnout. If YOU'RE having fun with it, your viewers will recognize that and your engagement will soon follow. But also remember it's ok if some posts flop. Not everything will gain traction and sometimes I see videos go viral months after it's been posted! So it's worth posting as many as you can, when you can.

How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?

DeLacey: Kona influences my life every day and he doesn't even know it. From needing to pick up a dog toy/treat whenever I'm at the store to the movie we'll watch together on a Friday night. He forces us to be more active in our daily lives by going for more walks and hikes - it's his happy place and we get exercise, win-win! I think it's safe to say he basically runs our lives.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?

DeLacey: Some of my favorite memories with Kona are either snow or water-related. He loves to zoomie in the snow and swim in the lake or pool. Most recently this winter season, he's been so silly in the snow. He loves when I throw the snow above him - he will jump up and flail his legs around trying to catch the snow in his mouth. He squirms like a little worm when he's in the air but somehow still ends up landing on his four "feet." We make the best memories playing outside in the snow, lake, or pool.

What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?

DeLacey: I love that it really is like a "digital dog diary," and now I have over a year and a half of videos and photos to look back at. I often forget what content I have created in the past, so going back to watch them I feel like I am looking at a time capsule. Another one of my favorite parts about all of this would have to be the connections we've made with our followers and other pet accounts. I love responding to the comments and DMs from our followers and seeing they love Kona just as much as we do!

Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?

DeLacey: We hope to continue posting engaging storytelling videos and documenting Kona's life!