14 Jun 2026 Her best friend by par

By Colleen Holt

The connection between best friends is a unique alliance, and for Samantha Boyd of Little Rock, it is with a fluffy, four-legged friend named Theo.

Theodore “Theo” Boyd is a 4-year-old Aussiedoodle who came to live with Samantha at the young age of 10 weeks. She and Theo have been constant companions for many important times in life — including her recent engagement.

Samantha and her fiancé, Stuart Berryhill of Little Rock, take a walk at Chenal Country Club every Monday. Through their walks, they have grown to know one another and have made memories. “A few months in, he told me he loved me on one of those walks with Theo there with me, so our Monday walks quickly became a special part of our relationship.”

Several months later, Samantha and Stuart were preparing for their usual walk, and Stuart asked her to bring a change of clothes to wear to dinner with his parents. Little did she know, but as they walked their families were setting up a surprise.

“His dad got into my car, got the change of clothes and hid them in the bathroom closest to our proposal spot. Once we got there, Stuart had Theo and me go into the bathroom, where I found my outfit and changed clothes. We came out and saw Stuart waiting in a suit.”

The trio walked up to a beautifully decorated Hole 16, where Stuart got down on one knee — with Theo right behind. “Theo quickly ran up to us, jumping, and was so excited, as if he knew what had just happened. Stuart knows Theo is a huge part of my life and my best friend, so I don’t think he even considered a proposal that didn’t include my dog.”

Samantha and Stuart are very mindful about how Theo can be included in the wedding. “With his big personality and barking tendencies, we know it might be a little much to include him in any formalities, but we plan to have my dad bring him to us for pictures before the ceremony. I’ll probably have a little flower crown made to put around his neck or something,” she said.

At 10 weeks old, Theo was adopted from Blue Ribbon Kennels in Casa (Perry County). Samantha was out of town, and her parents went to choose a puppy for her. “They ended up having no service out there, so they went with their gut on the dog they thought had the best personality. They certainly did pick the dog with the most personality!”

Theo may be an only pet, but Samantha’s parents have two goldendoodles named Addy and Millie, whom Theo absolutely loves. “I’ve grown up with dogs, and they’ve always played a big role in my family. My parents have seen their dogs as their other kids, and I saw them as my siblings.”

The aforementioned big personality really comes to life when a walk is in the near future. “Ideally, we walk every night, but sometimes things get in the way, so it’s at least several nights a week. His excitement before we walk is honestly overwhelming, and we have to calm him down as soon as he sees us getting his leash out. Then it’s full-blown party time for Theo.”

Theo also loves going on car rides, or “bye-bye” as they say at home, and playing with his toy ball. “He’ll drop the ball by your feet, then stare at you and bark until you bend down and get it and throw it for him. It’s very annoying, but he’s too cute to ever truly be annoyed with!”

When it comes to Stuart, Theo was skeptical at first, but he has definitely welcomed him into the family. “Despite his huge personality, Theo is oddly shy around strangers. He warmed up to Stuart rather quickly, though, because we started walking once a week within a few days of our first date over a year ago. Stuart has always been the one to hold the leash and pick up poop, too. Now, I find that if Stuart comes over to my house, Theo will only get up on the couch to sit by Stuart. He clearly thinks Stuart is there for him, because it’s Theo’s world and we’re all just living in it.”

Knowing Stuart could become a “dog dad” for Theo was something Samantha said she took seriously. “I wanted to know that, if we got married, Theo would always be safe around Stuart and would feel just as loved with Stuart as he does with me. The ways Stuart has intentionally included Theo in our biggest moments and done so much for Theo in big and small ways, I know I’m not only gaining an incredible husband but the best dad to my best friend, Theo!”