Dogs can become friends with the strangest animals. Normally, your dog might befriend another dog or a cat. But in some cases, our canines find a companion with an animal we definitely wouldn’t expect.

In the case of a golden retriever named McGee, his best friend is a duck named Daffy.

McGee and Daffy become friends

Before he met McGee, Daffy lived in the pond behind Evan Hastings’ house in Quaker City, Ohio. McGee doesn’t seem to mind the duck’s attention, even though his feathered friend is a little bit clingy. Hastings, who is McGee’s owner, noticed the duck taking a shine to his dog.

“He’s a wonderful, friendly dog with not a mean bone in his body,” Hastings told The Dodo. “I think the duck just got lonely and started harassing McGee, and then they became best buddies.”

Spending time together

Now McGee and Daffy spend their days soaking up the sun. Hastings says that the duck is constantly trying to get his dog’s attention, which might eventually annoy many dogs. But not McGee, who is almost a saint when it comes to Daffy.

According to Hastings, McGee is incredibly patient with the bothersome duck, even sharing his food with the duck first thing in the mornings.

“During the day, McGee will be laying in the grass and the duck will be laying on his back also,” Hastings said. “I think McGee gets annoyed after a while because the duck is nonstop pecking at him for some reason.”

They like to take a swim together in the evening

Then, as the evening approaches, it is time to go for a swim. Hastings says that the dog and the duck spend hours swimming together. Once they are in the water, Daffy jumps off of McGee’s back and swims around before hopping back on McGee’s back for a ride out of the pond.

Hastings feels like McGee enjoys going into the water to give his friend a ride.

Daffy is very jealous of McGee’s attention

“When they swim together, the duck is always trying to get on his back,” Hastings said. “Sometimes when he’s up there, he’ll hold his wings straight out — it’s hilarious.”

Of course, Daffy wants McGee entirely to himself, including keeping away Hastings’ other dogs. Daffy is quick to assert himself whenever the beagles come around.

“I have two beagle dogs and let them loose in the evenings, and the duck actually chases them back to the kennel,” Hastings said. “For some reason, the duck doesn’t want the beagles around McGee — maybe so he can have him all to himself.”

For their part, golden retrievers are known as very even-tempered dogs who have a lot of affection for those around them. Playful and gentle, golden retrievers make a perfect family pet, as they get along well with children, strangers, and even other pets, or, in McGee’s case, ducks.

To see more of the two friend’s special relationship, check out the video below.

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Source: Evan Hastings, AKC

H/T: The Dodo