One morning, Cathy Hoyt went looking for the turkey she’d left on the counter. She found it in Duke’s bed — whole, unharmed, and surrounded by a dartboard and a fake tarantula.
Not What She Expected
Cathy and her husband adopted Duke in 2024, after losing their senior golden retriever, Charlie. Duke was 11 years old when he arrived — a rescue with a complicated past and a gentle, quiet way about him.
He settled in slowly. Then the disappearances started.
Things Started Going Missing
A shoe. A hardcover book. A framed print off the wall. A 12-pack of toilet paper. An empty juice jug.
At first, the Hoyts figured they were just misplacing things. Then they started checking Duke’s bed — and Duke, for his part, watched them search with complete and utter calm.
“The behaviors were a bit startling because we had never had a dog like this,” Cathy told The Dodo.
He Escalated Quickly
The hauls got bolder. A lamp. A laundry basket. Fine china. An empty pizza box. A bag of potatoes. A lantern. Eventually, an 18-pound Thanksgiving turkey — lifted directly off the counter and deposited in his bed, completely unharmed.
Duke didn’t chew any of it. He just claimed everything.
There’s A Reason He Does It
Cathy has a theory, and it comes from knowing his history. Duke’s original owner passed away, and after that he was “shuffled throughout three or four homes within the same family” before landing with the Hoyts.
His world had been erratic — no consistent place to settle, no space that ever stayed the same.
She believes the collecting isn’t random. Dogs who’ve moved between homes often develop ways of anchoring themselves to a new environment.
For Duke, his chosen anchor happens to be an 18-pound turkey and a fake tarantula. It’s him building the one thing he never had: a world that stays put.
His Bed, His Rules
In that dog bed — surrounded by a lantern, a dartboard, fine china, whatever he’d claimed that week — Duke is not going anywhere.
Nothing in this house gets taken from him.
For an 11-year-old dog who spent years never knowing what was next, building a ridiculous, beloved, ever-growing collection might be the most golden thing he’s ever done.
He moved through homes for years without ever staying.
Now he stays — and brings the whole house with him.
Does your dog claim random things as their own? Tell us what they’ve declared theirs. 🐾
Story and footage: The Dodo — consider following their work. Follow Duke on Instagram: @lifewithduke2025
Thinking About Adopting A Senior Dog?
- Senior rescues often need a few weeks to decompress and show their real personality — patience makes all the difference. More on settling-in behaviors →
- Object-collecting is common in dogs adjusting to a new home. It’s usually harmless — but if it seems excessive, a quick chat with your vet can rule out anxiety concerns. Golden Retriever guides →
- Thinking about adopting? Our guide covers what to ask, what to prepare, and what the first month really looks like. Adoption guide →
Our team includes certified dog trainers and former vet techs who review every article — we’re dog people, not a vet clinic, but we take the accuracy seriously.
