Meet Sterling & Colin: The Golden Retriever Duo Stealing Hearts Online

If you've ever smiled at one of Sterling and Colin's videos, chances are you've already fallen in love with these two Golden Retrievers. Sterling, the gentle "old soul," and Colin, the lovable whirlwind, have built a devoted following by simply being themselves, and by reminding us all why Goldens have such a special place in so many hearts.

We recently featured Colin's journey from cautious pup to confident dock diver in our summer relaunch issue of our digital Dogster Magazine, where he "tells" his own story in a fun first-person feature. Here, Diane Newton—the creative force behind @Lifeofsterlingnewton—shares more about the boys, life behind the camera, and the community they've built together.

How Sterling and Colin Became Social Media Stars

Dogster: What inspired you to start creating content?

Diane: My boys always wanted a dog, but because they played sports and we travelled a lot, it was difficult to commit. My eldest son, Tyler, is actually the one who got Sterling. However, since Sterling spends the majority of his time with me, we definitely share him. I initially thought it would be cute to give Sterling his own account so I could share his journey as he grew up.

Dogster: How did your pets become part of your online presence?

Diane: I started Sterling's account eight years ago on Instagram. As most people do, it was simply to separate the dog account from my personal one. I was not a great photographer, but as Instagram started to gravitate towards more video content, that's when the account really started to take off.

Colin joined us in 2021, and while he is my dog, I consider myself the human mother to both of them equally and share a special bond with both.

Dogster: How would you describe your content?

Diane: My content is aimed at showing the breed and sharing funny and relatable moments of Golden ownership.

Sterling & Colin: Opposites Attract

Dogster: What do you think makes people connect with Sterling and Colin?

Diane: I think people really enjoy the difference between Sterling's calm and sweet demeanour and Colin's slightly more goofy, upbeat, and chaotic side.

Dogster: Tell us about their personalities.

Diane: Sterling has an "old soul" demeanour and the most expressive, beautiful eyes. He's much calmer than Colin and is quite happy sleeping or snuggling his humans.

Colin has a much more upbeat and energetic personality. He always lets you know exactly when he wants something, like attention or food!

Dogster: They both seem to have plenty of quirks!

Diane: They both have different adorable habits! Sterling does big stretches where he almost howls when he first wakes up, and he also loves to steal dish towels off the fridge so you will chase him.

Colin does a very twirly dance before he has his meals, which he has done since he was tiny.

Additionally, both boys love to greet guests and family with objects in their mouths (usually shoes or whatever they can grab) and they will happily steal hats right off people's heads!

A Day in the Life

Dogster: What does a typical day look like?

Diane: A typical day starts with them judging me from the top of the stairs, followed by breakfast and a nice long walk. Then we have some play time followed by a long nap.

We mostly go out again in the afternoon, followed by dinner and another rest before evening play time (which can be fetch, tug, or doing dog puzzles).

When it's time for bed, they sleep in our room; they have their own beds but tend to jump onto ours before usually ending up on the floor.

When the weather is nice, they also absolutely love to go dock diving!

Keeping It Real

One of the things we love most about Diane's content is how genuine it feels.

Dogster: Has keeping things authentic always been intentional?

Diane: Yes, definitely. Keeping real-life moments as the main focus has truly helped the account feel more authentic.

Dogster: Your videos often look effortless, but what's happening behind the scenes?

Diane: The sheer amount of patience required behind the camera! Viewers see a smooth, funny 15-second clip, but they don't see the reality of managing their sudden bursts of chaotic energy, cleaning up muddy floors, or constantly trying to rescue my kitchen towels and shoes before they get paraded around the house!

More Than Just Cute Videos

Dogster: Has sharing your dogs taught you anything unexpected?

Diane: They've completely opened my eyes to the universal power of a dog's presence. I never expected that sharing our everyday Canadian life would ripple out to touch so many hearts globally, teaching me just how deeply canine happiness can help heal people.

Dogster: What kind of community has grown around Sterling and Colin?

Diane: The boys have such a beautiful effect on the people who follow them through the smiles and laughter they bring. I receive so many lovely messages from followers telling me how the boys have had a majorly positive impact on their mental health.

They've also helped people get through their own pet loss; I'm often told how the boys remind them of their Goldens that have passed, bringing smiles during an otherwise very sad time. They truly act as virtual therapy dogs.

Advice for Dog Parents

Dogster: What's one piece of advice you'd give someone thinking about getting a dog?

Diane: Be completely honest with yourself about the lifestyle shift. It's a beautiful journey, but a dog relies on you for absolutely everything. Beyond just the day-to-day basics, you need to ensure you have the time, patience, and energy to dedicate to their overall well-being before making the leap.

Dogster: What's one thing you wish more people understood?

Diane: I wish more people realized that dogs need mental workouts just as much as physical ones to truly thrive. A quick walk around the block often isn't enough; engaging their brains with games, training, or challenges is vital for a happy pet!

Dogster: Finally... who's really in charge?

Diane: They are in charge, obviously!

Want more Sterling & Colin?

Be sure to get your free download of our digital Dogster Magazine, where Colin shares the story of how he discovered his love of swimming and dock diving in a special first-person feature. You'll also find expert advice, inspiring stories, and plenty more celebrating life with dogs.

You can also follow Diane, Sterling, and Colin on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok @Lifeofsterlingnewton.