Maru was the ‘unofficial guide dog’ of the island and is remembered for being a cutie
We all know dogs are a man’s best friend, but they might also be a camera’s bestie too after Google Maps viewers spotted something adorable.
A little fluffer has been seen in over 1,000 Street Views after he followed a Google Maps photographer around an island in South Korea.
The pup, an incredibly cute golden retriever, can be seen guiding the visitor around Jukdo, which is next to Ulleungdo, in the Sea of Japan.
The tiny island used to be known as Boussole Rock and it’s a popular spot for tourists who want to take in its sea front sights, fields and cliffs.
At only 0.456 miles long and 0.3 miles wide, it’s so small and intimate that it was only occupied by three members of the same family in 2004.
If you’re interested in it, expect to have to take a 20-minute ferry from Ulleungdo just to reach the location.
But what people might remember it most for is when a social media user played around on Google Maps and kept seeing the same dog over and over again as it followed the photographer.
The person then took to Reddit to share his discovery and wrote: “This dog followed the Google Earth guy.”
One user shared that they know the legend of the golden pup, who is actually called Maru and is the island’s ‘unofficial guide dog’ and had lived on the island at the time for seven years.
The dog was well-known in the area (Google Maps)
They commented: “Maru is known to be super friendly to tourists and locals. There is another doggo named Mingki in another island where she guides tourist too.”
Another person agreed, writing: “She naturally loves everyone and everything, especially walks with complete strangers.”
One user said: “I only want Google to direct me via golden retriever now.”
Someone else added: “Street view would be way cooler if this good girl was in every shot.”
However, this heart-warming story might have met a saddening end.
Just seven months ago a Reddit user took to the platform to ask whether Maru had passed away, having been spotted on Google Maps years prior.
They wrote: “Story from 7 years ago. In memory of Maru. From the island of Jukdo, South Korea, this adorable golden retriever took on the role of an unofficial guide dog, leading a Google Maps photographer on a journey captured in over 1,000 pictures.
“Does any one know the source on if Maru has passed away?”
One person in the comments seemed to confirm that they had in fact passed on and wrote: “Sadly, maru passed away in 2021.”
Someone else agreed: “Yes, i read it from korean news/media. he was from korea and lived in jukdo (one of family islands— dokdo, ulleungdo, and jukdo— in east sea; btw, yes, all of them are korea’s) with his/her family.”
Thankfully everyone remembers Maru fondly for guiding visitors on their way through the island.
Green Me Magazine wrote this year of the pups’ death: “The dog arrived on the island at the age of 2 and lived there until a few years ago when he passed away. Korean newspapers also paid tribute to Maru, describing him as an extremely sociable and affectionate dog.”
