This week’s Arlington Pet of the Week is Gatsby, a golden retriever living in Ballston with quite the full name.

Here’s what his owner, Shira, had to say on his behalf:

Hi guys!!  My name is Gatsby the pup.  My official name is Gatsby Windsor Gottlieb Hampton, but I know that’s a mouthful (like when I try to carry a really big stick!).  I’m a 15-month-old golden retriever from Powhatan, VA, and I’ve lived in Arlington for just over a year now.  I love it here!

My favorite activities are going on long walks, meeting all the neighbors, playing fetch in my backyard, running in circles around the coffee table (my paw-rents call it zoomies!), exploring Ballston, and chewing sticks.  Sometimes I accidentally eat the sticks, and that makes my tummy upset.  My paw-rents say we’re working on that!

My favorite season is fall and I can’t wait for the weather to cool off.  I love playing in the leaves, pumpkin patches, licking pumpkins (when I think no one is watching!), fall festivals, and evenings around the backyard fire-pit with my family.  I can’t wait for all the new restaurants that are coming to Ballston — I heard some of them will have outdoor patios so I can come too!  If you see me around town, feel free to say hi.  I just love meeting new people and pups!

Want your pet to be considered for the Arlington Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Please don’t send vertical photos, they don’t fit in our photo galleries!

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care is the winner of six consecutive Angie’s List Super Service Awards, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year and a proud supporter of the Arlington County Pawsitively Prepared Campaign.

Becky’s Pet Care provides professional dog walking and pet sitting in Arlington and all of Northern Virginia, as well as PetPrep training courses for Pet Care, CPR and emergency preparedness.