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Calendar
1 BEST ACTION SHOT WINNER
1: IGOR, BURLINGTON
Michelle Peters' Igor, a 6-yearold American Staffy, Miniature Schnauzer and American Bulldog mix, is no stranger to these pages. A runner up in 2019, he's a bit grayer now but just as active. " Peters writes: "Hiking, running, biking or just chilling in his bike cart during bikepack trips to Grand Isle - Igor loves it all. And what does he love even more than a good romp in the woods? A post adventure creemee!"
BEST ACTION SHOT
Once outdoors, it’s hard to get a dog to sit still. The same canine who sleeps all day at the foot of your desk will be off chasing squirrels, leading the way on a run or a hike, watching fish just below a pond’s surface or jumping to catch a Frisbee. But try to get an action shot and you know it’s not easy.
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2. GAIA, PROCTORSVILLE
Stefan Beaumont's Red Heeler/Lab mix Gaia is the dog that graces our cover. We loved that shot and this one, above, of her fetching in the water. "She enjoys every season Vermont throws at her, constantly looking for the next run, hike, bike, ski or swim," Beaumont says.
3. MAVERICK, WATERBURY VILLAGE
Logan Shuman's Golden Retriever Maverick is five but still runs like a puppy. "Adventures would not be the same without my pup," writes Shuman. "From summer to winter we strive to find ourselves out in the beautiful mountains of Vermont. I'm constantly reminded how much recreation is a necessity and a privilege. We are grateful for it all."
4. KANOOTI, STOWE
Just four months old, Kanooti was an unexpected addition to Sheila Goss's family in July. "I lost my beloved adventure partner of 12 years unexpectedly in June, and the hole in my heart and the space in my canoe needed to be filled. Kanootti will carry on Gryphon's legacy with love and honor! She has taken right to canoeing, and loves learning about all the wildlife we see on our daily outings," writes Goss.
5. ALISA, MIDDLEBURY
A six-year-old Labrador Retreiver, Alisa likes to lead the way. "Ailsa likes to hike the wilds of Vermont. Especially Abbey Pond and Wright park in Middlebury area," notes owner Ben Cotts.
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BEST ADVENTURE SHOT & READER'S CHOICE WINNER
1: MARSHALL, HYDE PARK
Marshall, a Sheepadoodle who is just about a year and a half old, seems ready to take the lead on any adventure. "There is no adventure he is not ready to tackle.," writes his human, Lauren Traister. "In the fall we hike to the top of Spruce Peak almost every weekend. In the winter we are regulars in Smuggler's Notch and in the summer we can be found at Green River Reservoir. Marshall is trying to learn to paddle board but he loves swimming a bit too much!"
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This category reflects where we take our dogs— scrambling to a summit, following us on road trips or heading out for a paddleboard.
2. SIGI, WAITSFIELD
Sigi (named after Sigi’s Ripcord trail at Mt.Ellen) was adopted during the pandemic and is now living his best life in the Green Mountains. "Sigi can be found fetching Frisbees, hiking to summits along the spine of the Greens, paddle boarding on Lake Champlain and reservoirs, backcountry ski touring with his people, and running alongside mountain bikers. He’s very adaptable to all kinds of situations, people, and other dogs," writes Jascha Herlihy of her German Shepherd/ cattle dog mix.
3. DAKOTA, BRISTOL
Sabra Davison's Husky Dakota "goes on all adventures with us," she writes. "He’s done several slide climbs in the Adirondacks (harnessed in) and that’s where the family photo is from! He’s been backcountry skiing, ice climbing, sailing, hiking, climbing, swimming, paddle boarding, and whatever adventure we get into. Rich is the rowing coach for Middlebury College, and you can often find Dakota on the launch helping coach."
4. CALLIE, WINOOSKI
"When we first adopted her, Callie was a very timid and shy girl. Now she greets people on the trails and wants to make friends with everyone," says Sarah Illingsworth of her Lab/Hound mix. "Callie's favorite part about hiking is enjoying a delicious treat (or ice cream cone) after a long day on the trail. Whenever I work from home, she stares at me with her big brown eyes until I say "let's go for a walk!"
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There are always a story or two that stand out. This year was no exception.
ROGER, JOHNSON
We couldn’t help but love this story that Jenn Chittick shared about finding her Staffie pup, Roger:
“I adopted Roger in June. On the 1st of May he was discovered on a back road in Wolcott by a couple of walkers who, at first, thought that he was dead. This dude was quite literally skin and bones. The good Samaritans called for help and he was brought to our local animal shelter for care. He spent a full month recovering, gaining weight and muscle tone.
We had learned that he had spent the bulk of his life in a crate, in his own waste, with little to no outside time. I was following his story (and recovery) via social media and with every video the shelter posted I fell more and more in love with this guy. I found myself longing to give him a life that he never knew existed, so I filled out a foster-to-adopt application and left it in the hands of the Universe. On June 9th he was placed in my care as a foster
Jenn Chittick with Roger, a Staffie that was rescued after being abused. Photo courtesy Jenn Chittick
placement and on June 21st he officially became a forever part of my family.
As part of his rehabilitation, we use the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail almost daily as a safe place for him to exercise, meet other people and pups and learn the ins and outs of being a dog. His first day home he lacked the strength and muscle tone to walk around the block, now he can walk up to 4 miles and has enjoyed overnight camping at DAR State Park, playing in the water at Journey’s End, socializing with the community at Tuesday Night Live, visits to Lake Champlain, making new doggo friends as we explore dog parks in Lamoille, Franklin and Chittenden Counties and casual bike rides with me from the comfort of his bike trailer.
This guy has nothing but love to give to the world. He is a kind and gentle soul who is fully enjoying life on the outside and I cannot wait to see what he thinks of the snow! Hopefully next summer he will be able to stand atop Mount Mansfield or Camels Hump with me and possess the strength and coordination to go for a paddle board ride. At a year old he has a long life of fun and adventures that await him, and I feel so fortunate to be the one to accompany him along the way.
Just like you – we’re enjoying the Green Mountain trails!
Just like you, members of our team enjoy the great outdoors too!
Don’t let injuries like hand or wrist, or chronic knee, hip, shoulder or foot and ankle pain keep you from getting out on the trails. We provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Top medical care close to home.
To make an appointment with a Mansfield Orthopaedic Specialist, call 802.888.8405 Clinic sites: 555 Washington Highway Morrisville, VT 6 North Main Street Our physicians: www.mansfieldorthopaedics.com Waterbury, VT Nicholas Antell, MD; Brian Aros, MD; Ciara Hollister, DPM; John Macy, MD; Joseph McLaughlin, MD; Kevin McNamara, DPM and Bryan Monier, MD Last year’s Gravel Grinder.
OCT 15
9AM 10 Railroad Street, Morrisville, VT
bikereg.com/copley-gravel-grinder copleyvt.org/support-copley/copley-gravel-grinder
