---
title: Paw-pular Pup ‘Reels’ in the ‘Likes’
date: 2024-11-08T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/paw-pular-pup-reels-in-the-likes"
section: Articles
---
# Paw-pular Pup ‘Reels’ in the ‘Likes’

*November 8, 2024* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Antics of Alums’ Goldendoodle Bring Joy to Millions on Social Media

*Madsen Kelly Bentley 10162024 SC 4351 1920x1080 — Bentley the goldendoodle has nearly 2 million followers across social platforms, thanks to the efforts of owners Kelly '13 and Brandon '14 Madsen, who share funny and heartwarming posts online.*

Here’s a little secret: The parents of TikTok-famous goldendoodle Bentley didn’t meet at RJ Bentley’s on Baltimore Avenue.

Kelly ’13 and Brandon ’14 Madsen first crossed paths at another popular College Park bar, Cornerstone, when their club field hockey and soccer teams had a mixer—but when it came time for the Terp couple to name their new puppy seven years ago, “Bentley” just had a better ring.

Today, @minidoodlebentley has joined the likes of Grumpy Cat and Doug the Pug as a pet influencer, with nearly 2 million followers across social platforms—including about 1.3 million on [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@minidoodlebentley?lang=en) and more than 300,000 on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/minidoodlebentley/). There, fans might find him [teaching his younger (human) siblings tricks](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DALxCL1JnLO/?igsh=MTE5N295NXR5dWc4eQ==), [lounging in a comically enormous dog bed](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-p6yyepGcf/?igsh=cGY3OGJjam83Y3V1) and [dressing up like a lobster or pumpkin](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAqqhI0p8Zj/?igsh=dWNobmN1eDh4NDBv).

“There’s so much negativity in the world,” said Kelly. “We got so much joy out of the dog accounts we followed. They had such carefree, happy, fun posts, so we just started doing that too.”


*Madsen family with Bentley — The Madsen family (clockwise from top left): Brandon, Kelly, Bentley, Tyler and Rachel.*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni), [Social Media](https://today.umd.edu/topic/social-media)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences)