Tribute to Gromit the Trail Mutt

In memory of Gromit the Trail Mutt

3/13/2007 - 1/5/2022 

In 2005, our beloved old retired working border collie OJ had passed away, leaving us dogless for the first time in years. Then in May of 2007, Sandy spotted an ad in the Mining Gazette for "Free Puppies, border collie mix." Arly reluctantly caved in to go and look at the one remaining puppy of the litter. As they say, the rest is history! Little 7 week old Gromit came home and promptly joined us on a wide array of adventures.

The 1st time getting into our house.  It was scary!
She'd never been in a house before....or a car.
So many new things to learn and experience!

This is my own toy?

Who's slipper is this one? Oh, it smells like Sandy,
I think I'll nibble on it.

She loved to be coddled.

She learned to retrieve at a young age
and became very proficient. She relished
 this game for the rest of her life,
enjoying it even as an old dog.

Ya I love to try and catch a frisbee!

This ball was a gift from a friend when
she was about 2. It never was broken or lost.
Whenever it was brought out, we'd remember 
Erin, who was one of Sandy's student P.T.'s
who got to know and love Gromit.

At a young age, our "part lab" puppy needed to be
convinced that she really was a water dog.
This was a typical hot summer day at Lake Norden, SD.
Think we could get into a lake for her first time?  No way!

Oh, but the kids were in the water! Who
can resist kids?

Sandy helped her along, to show her
she wasn't going to drown.

It didn't take long, and she figured out she could
swim like a fish.  Many times she'd hop in a lake
or pond and swim, just for fun.

Her world revolved around kids, playing with anyone really, romping in snow and swimming.  She was indeed a water dog.

She got along with most all dogs she met.

Not to mention people!

One of our trips to ride the Maah Daah Hey Trail in
western North Dakota. She was disappointed not to
run alongside the bikes but at least got to hang
out with this young gal!