Meghan and Merritt Brewer say they cannot remember what life was like without Hank.
Hank Brewer is a 4-year-old golden retriever who lives with Meghan and Merritt Brewer in Dilworth. The Brewers got him while they were living in Denver, before they moved to Charlotte.
Meghan grew up with golden retrievers and always knew she wanted one. Convincing Merritt was not hard, and when the timing felt right, they brought Hank home. Meghan likes dog names that sound a little old-fashioned. She had once met an English bulldog named Hank and thought it was perfect. As a puppy, his best friend's name was Arthur, so Hank and Arthur made a matched pair.
Beyond spoiled
His parents describe him as "beyond spoiled," and they do not seem to mind. Meghan and Merritt do not have children yet, so Hank is the baby. He sleeps in their bed, in his funny position with all four paws up in the air. He has a huge basket of toys and a weakness for peanut butter and cheese.
Hank loves everyone he meets, dogs and people alike, and likes to stay close to his family. A family favorite is relaxing at home and cuddling on the couch for a movie or a show. Another is the walk to get coffee, where he inevitably makes a new friend. He travels well, which matters, because Meghan and Merritt are from Cleveland, Ohio. Trips home mean two families' big backyards to run around in and all his favorite people in one place.
Quirks, tricks and zoomies
Hank is quirky, which is to say funny. He wants to be the center of attention and will sit on top of you to make the point. He still remembers many of the tricks he learned as a puppy, including spin, one of Meghan's favorites. And he gets the zoomies, which are funny to watch.
One of the funnier moments with Hank happened in Denver and the shared community space at their townhouse complex. One nice day a neighbor had left a door open to enjoy the weather, and Hank ran straight in. Meghan chased him, but not before he got into the laundry and came out with a pair of socks, with Meghan and the neighbor both in pursuit. It was not one of Meghan's favorite moments with Hank. He is, however, so lovable that she could not stay upset.
Meghan and Merritt "truly cannot remember what life was like without Hank." He is a full member of the family, bringing all the love, laughter, joy and cuddles possible. You may bump into him on a walk with the Brewers one day. If not, he is on TikTok at @ourgoldenhank, where the quirky personality is on full display.
This story appears in the June 2026 issue of Stroll Dilworth.