Getting photobombed once is unfortunate. Appearing in more than 1,000 Google Maps shots is the sort of commitment that deserves recognition.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!One particularly friendly golden retriever managed exactly that after deciding to follow a Google Maps photographer around the tiny island of Jukdo, near Ulleungdo in South Korea.
The result is an accidental collection of Street View appearances featuring the same four-legged companion repeatedly popping up along the route.
In the images, the golden retriever can be seen accompanying the photographer around the island and seemingly taking on the role of a personal tour guide.
At one point, the dog even appears to wait for the photographer after losing sight of him in the woods.
It is the sort of dedication tourists would usually expect from an organised guide. In this case, however, the service came with four paws and a golden coat.
Jukdo, formerly known as Boussole Rock, is a small island in the Sea of Japan and has become popular with tourists looking to experience its striking natural scenery, per the Mirror.
Visitors are drawn to its sea views, colourful flower fields and green cliffs.
The island is certainly small. In 2004, just three people lived there, with all three belonging to the same family.
But years later, it was one of Jukdo’s canine residents who caught the internet’s attention.
The discovery emerged after a social media user was exploring Google Maps and noticed a familiar face continuing to appear throughout the Street View imagery.
They eventually shared the discovery on Reddit, writing: “This dog followed the Google Earth guy.”
And once people started looking, the golden retriever’s extended Google Maps cameo quickly became difficult to ignore.
According to one user, the dog is named Maru and had lived on Jukdo for seven years.
Maru is also reportedly considered the island’s “unofficial guide dog”, which would certainly explain the enthusiasm for accompanying a complete stranger around the area.
One user offered more insight into the friendly dog’s reputation, commenting: “Maru is known to be super friendly to tourists and locals. There is another doggo named Mingki in another island where she guides tourist too.”
It seems Maru’s willingness to join the photographer was not a one-off event created by the presence of Google’s camera equipment.
Another user added: “She naturally loves everyone and everything, especially walks with complete strangers.”
That particular personality trait proved perfect for Street View.
Rather than simply appearing in the background of a single photograph before disappearing, Maru continued along the photographer’s route.
The golden retriever can consequently be spotted across more than 1,000 shots, turning what should have been a virtual tour of Jukdo into something closer to an enormous game of spot the dog.
Unsurprisingly, social media users loved the discovery.
One person said: “I only want Google to direct me via golden retriever now.”
Another added: “Street view would be way cooler if this good girl was in every shot.”
For anyone virtually exploring Jukdo, Maru’s appearances offer an unexpected bonus alongside the island’s scenery.
The photographer may have been responsible for documenting the route, but it is the golden retriever who ended up becoming the star of the journey.
And with more than 1,000 appearances to her name, Maru may have accidentally produced one of the most wholesome Google Maps cameos around.
Most dogs are happy with a long walk.
Maru seemingly wanted the entire thing documented.
Featured image credit: Google Maps
