I had dreamed of owning an English Cocker Spaniel for some time. I admired their agility-being able to navigate thick brush and flush birds in areas most larger dogs would not be able to reach. In the spring of '22, I was finally able to make that dream come true with a little solid black pup named Groot.

We spent all summer training with dummies, bumpers, wings-you name it. Groot was coming along nicely with his retrieves to hand, and his natural hunt ability was incredible. He was an amazing companion-both in the field, and around the house. 

The time finally came to go out on our first hunt. September 3, 2022. Groot was 9 months old on the day! We headed up Highway 16 to the Big Horn Mountains and found a spot that looked promising for some blue grouse (dusky). We hopped out of the truck, three kiddos in tow, and away we went. 

Off we go, Groot is hunting 10 and 2, nose to the ground, tail wagging a mile a minute. We practiced our whistle training working on his recall. He listened like we had been out hunting birds a million times. Off he went again, about 20 yards ahead of us, then disappeared.

"Groot must have found some birds!" I yelled. I go running over to see where he went, only to find a large hole in the earth. I saw what I thought was the bottom. I kept my children behind me and yelled, "Groot, here!". One bark. I called again, more deperately. A small whimper met my ears. This time, my husband jumped down into the hole in front of me, only to find it slid off into what I can only describe is a crack in the earth's surface. It was about 14" wide, and we couldn't see the bottom. We ran back to the truck and found some paracord. We tied a flashlight to the end of it and dropped it over 50 feet until we reached the end of the rope. We never found the bottom of that hole. 

I was able to get some cell service and called 911. They dispatched the Forest Service Ranger and Sherriff. We found some other holes and caves in the area that we went into hoping that we could find another way into where he was at. Nothing led to where we lost him.

When night fell, we finally had to face what we already knew. Groot was gone. He stopped answering to us after being in the hole about 2 minutes in. I pray he went quickly, and did not suffer. Losing him still haunts me to this day. 

This story does have a happier ending.

I stayed in touch with the breeder I got Groot from and sent him updates with how he was coming along. I called them a few days after losing Groot to tell them the news. We both sat on the phone, trying to remember the good days and laughing through the tears at how we would howl together in the truck, which eventually turned into him howling everytime he heard an Elvis song.

We said our goodbyes, and wishes to stay in touch for later on down the road I would like to try again if they bred Groot's parents again. It would never be the same or a replacement, but losing him so abruptly left me yearning for some sort of closure and comfort. 

A few weeks later, Mark Lee, co-owner of the kennel Groot came from, called me and said, "I have Groot's brother that I kept back from that litter for one of my personal dogs, and I want to give him to you." I immediately began to try. Overwhelmed with joy, sadness, and confliction. Was I ready for another dog already? Would it give me closure to have the closest piece of Groot I could ever have again? I thanked him and told him I was overwhelmed by his kindness and generosity, but I needed to think on it a bit. 

After doing some thinking, I called Mark back and told him I would be absolutely honored to have Groot's brother and that I believed having a piece of Groot again would give me some closure and much needed peace in my heart. Mark had his kennel partner, Ronnie, drive Groot's brother from southeastern Alabama, all the way to western South Dakota, where I met him. 

Upon arriving to South Dakota about two months after losing Groot, I wasn't sure of how I would feel, or if I made the right choice. I got out of my truck, Ronnie opened up the door on the dog trailer, and there he was. My heart was in my throat and it brought an overwhelming peace over my soul to hold the closest thing to Groot I could get. So fittingly, I named his brother Rocket, Groot's "brother" from the movie Guiardian's of the Galaxy.

I can never thank Mark and Ronnie enough for their kindness, and also for giving me a piece of my heart back by giving me the opportunity to be Rocket's owner.

Groot was a special dog, too precious for this world. I still feel that he is with me and Rocket with every hunt we go on. Rocket has brought so much love to our family, and I am sure that is because he has all the love in his soul that Groot wanted to give us as well. 

Forever in our hearts, and always with us on our hunts in spirit.

"Groot" 1-3-22 to 9-3-22