Hike Doggie, the premier dog hiking service dedicated to enriching the lives of dogs through adventure and companionship, is celebrating a recent 5-star Yelp review from an unexpected source: one of its canine clients. Gunnar, a four-year-old Black Labrador Retriever whose owner is Denver local Kristi Gacke, detailed his daylong hiking adventure on June 16 in a review that has since gone viral. The review, written from Gunnar's perspective, describes the experience as "the greatest adventure of my life," even surpassing the time he found a half a chicken nugget in a parking lot.
Kath Allen, founder of Hike Doggie, expressed delight at the review. "The moment we spotted the post, we just knew we had to share Gunnar's five-star review with as many people as possible. What he wrote in his awesome Yelp review perfectly encapsulates what makes our full-service hiking adventures so special for dogs, capturing the very essence of our brand's mission statement to 'make dogs as happy as they make us.'" Hike Doggie is a franchised business that offers pet parents round-trip excursions to the great outdoors, where dogs receive professional daylong hiking services filled with adventure, snacks, social media snaps, and branded gear, concluding with end-of-day baths.
In his review, Gunnar noted that he initially thought he was just going for a routine walk around the block, but was instead transported to the Rockies in one of Hike Doggie's climate-controlled "Big Blue Busses." He catalogued 43 different smells, discovered 17 sticks, and encountered numerous squirrels along the trails. After hours of stimulating fun, Gunnar returned home, where he "collapsed face-first on the floor, slept for six hours, barked once in his sleep, dreamed about chasing a squirrel, and woke up with a leaf still stuck to his butt." His only complaint was that Hike Doggie eventually had to bring him back home.
Gunnar's owner, Kristi Gacke, director of sales and marketing for Denver-based HHM Hotels, was not surprised by the viral attention. "To say he's still pretty amped up about the experience is an understatement. But Gunnar has always been a very expressive doggie, quite vocal, even back when he was just a puppy. Honestly, I'm really not all that surprised he's gone and done something viral - he's kind of been destined for greatness from the day we got him," she said.
The review, which can be read in its entirety at this link, underscores the emotional and physical benefits of professional dog hiking services. For Hike Doggie, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the review highlights the joy and fulfillment that the service brings to dogs. Founded in 2016 in Golden, Colorado, Hike Doggie's mission is to "make dogs as happy as they make us." The franchise serves over 800 dogs each month in the Denver-metro area alone and has participated in over 60,000 hikes to date, with 10 franchisees in six states including Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Georgia, and Delaware.
The impact of this review extends beyond mere amusement; it serves as a powerful testimonial for the dog hiking industry and underscores the importance of outdoor activities for canine well-being. For pet owners considering similar services, Gunnar's experience offers a compelling example of how professional hiking adventures can provide enrichment, exercise, and joy for their four-legged companions. More information about Hike Doggie's services and franchise opportunities is available at https://hikedoggie.com.
