Two furry Arlington influencers are featured in a new pet-inspired product line at Target.
Golden retrievers Ellie and Emma — who have over 14 million social media followers as the faces of Golden Retriever Life — are among a handful of “furfluencers” featured in Target’s new “Cuddle Collab” merchandise collection.
“We’ve been working for 16 months to create something that spreads joy and brings people together,” Golden Retriever Life, run by the Arlington husband-wife duo Kevin and Katie Bubolz, said on Instagram last month. “Everything in the collection was designed with Ellie and Emma and our Mission to Spread Smiles in mind.”
Ellie and Emma’s limited-time product line includes clothes, leashes, water bottles and home decor bearing Golden Retriever Life’s motto, “Spread Smiles.” The dogs are also replicated in a plushie set and punch needle kit.
Kevin Bubolz became interested in the benefits of four-legged companionship while serving in the Army overseas. Upon his return, the couple trained Ellie as a therapy dog and began taking her to schools and nursing homes.
When the pandemic hit, the family pivoted to bring Ellie’s presence online with skits and short videos under the account name @EllieGoldenLife. The family adopted their second golden retriever, Emma, in 2022.
Since then, the dogs have visited deployed military members in seven countries. Ellie has been featured on The Tonight Show, and Golden Retriever Life’s social media platforms average over 200 million engagements each month.
The social account has partnered previously with companies including YETI, Amazon, Starbucks, PetSmart and Lowe’s.
Five other “furfluencer” brands are also included in the latest Target partnership, which launched on Sept 21: Popeye the Foodie Dog, Maple Cat, Baloo and Pan, Ghost and Wren, and Zelda, Titus and Brave.
