Athing Mu dog Photos

Credit: Courtesy Athing Mu

In 2021, track star Athing Mu's dreams came true: she won two Olympic gold medals and became the pet parent to a pug.

"I wanted a pug for so long. I think probably since fourth grade, I wanted to get a pug," Mu, 20, told PEOPLE.

The moment finally arrived for Mu last summer after she won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics — one for the women's 800-meter race and the other for the women's 4×400-meter relay. Following her big wins in Japan, Mu returned to her hometown of Trenton, New Jersey, where she was treated to a celebration in honor of her success at the Olympics. Mu's brother surprised her at the event with a pug she named Bentley.

"I cried, and I didn't even care about anything else that was going on," Mu said of her reaction to the new pet.

Since then, Bentley has quickly become an essential part of Mu's life and a constant source of support and amusement.

Athing Mu dog Photos

Credit: Courtesy Athing Mu

"My life has changed so much from Tokyo, so it's just been a lot to adjust to, and I think even at this point right now, I'm still adjusting," Mu said. "So on trough days where I'm like, 'Ugh, this is way too much.' It is so nice to have Bentley and to come home to him and see him wagging his tail, excited to see me."