The Beloved Plush Companion

Gumbo the dog never goes anywhere without his plush toy named Shrimp. This 8-year-old golden retriever lab mix serves as a service dog for his human, Hana. Their story shows how a simple toy can become a cherished family member.

An Unexpected Friendship

Back in 2017, Hana picked up Shrimp from IKEA. The plush toy wasn't meant to be Gumbo's pet at first. However, Gumbo instantly fell in love with Shrimp. Wherever Shrimp was placed around the house, Gumbo would pick him up and lay with him. Seeing this special bond, Hana decided that Shrimp officially belonged to Gumbo.

More Than Just a Toy

Gumbo treats Shrimp as his best friend. The pair even have matching pajamas! Wherever Hana and her husband travel, both Gumbo and Shrimp come along for the ride. Shrimp has become such an important part of the family that he was included in Hana and her husband's wedding ceremony.

The Day Shrimp Was Left Behind

During one of their trips, something sad happened - Shrimp was accidentally left behind. Hana and her family were already an hour and a half away from the trailhead when they realized Shrimp wasn't in the car. Without hesitation, they turned around to find him.

A Happy Reunion

When they returned to the trailhead, they discovered that someone had kindly picked up Shrimp and left him right at the trailhead sign for them to find. Gumbo was overjoyed to be reunited with his best friend. Since that scary incident, Shrimp hasn't been accidentally left behind again.

You can follow more adventures of Gumbo and Shrimp on their social media account.