Words by Gloria Goñi | As told by GUNNER
Fishing with my two pups is my favorite thing in the world– it is so dang special to share my greatest passion with the loves of my life. My older dog, Alberto, was hesitant at first, but over the past few years, he’s gained a lot of confidence. Now, he loves to prop his paws up on the side of my raft and take in the scenery as we float. On the other hand, my younger Griffon pup, Shakira, was fearless from the start, even trying to get up close and personal with the fish.
What I admire most about my dogs is how they are always living in the present moment. They have no to-do list, they don’t worry about tomorrow, and instead they only think about the moment at hand. Fishing with them helps me do the same. It clears my mind, and having them by my side enhances the experience in the most glorious way. When I wade fish, the two of them run around and explore the area. It's freedom at its finest! When we’re in the boat, they snooze, sniff a fish if we catch one, and take in the peaceful views as we drift by.
Since Alberto was initially apprehensive about the boat, I found that getting him comfortable in short spurts was key. I fed him on the boat, kept things fun and happy, and made sure he always had a good time. Instead of taking long trips, we started with hour-long floats, focusing on making it a positive experience for him rather than fishing. It took some patience, but it was so worth it. Now we get to share time on the water and even go on multi-day float/fishing trips.
The best part has been the shared experience. My dogs are my best friends, and combining our time together with my passion for fishing has been remarkable. Getting skunked on the river with my pups beats lights-out fishing without them any day of the week. Fish or no fish, being out there with my two dogs is nothing short of a dream come true. It's been so special to see them learn, grow, and fall in love with the river just as I did so many years ago. It is the greatest way I have found to spend my days, and I feel confident they would say the same if they could.
One of my favorite memories of fishing with Alberto and Shakira was last summer when I took them to one of my go-to spots— a remote river in the Rockies with incredible fishing and crystal-clear waters. Shakira was only five months old, and it was one of her first times wade fishing with me. What made it so special was watching Alberto act as a “big brother,” patiently waiting for her to cross the river and looking out for her in deeper or faster sections. The two of them built a lot of trust that day. That is also the day the three of us truly became a pack. It was beautiful to witness and will always remain a sacred memory.
I’ve never had to show up for anyone like I’ve shown up for my dogs, and it’s been the greatest honor of my life. As I strive to give them the best life in the world, I am, in turn, giving myself an amazing life as well. We spend as much time as possible outside, in nature, breathing fresh air, moving our bodies, cultivating curiosity, and being truly present in the moment. Through fishing especially, we’ve learned so much about each other: to show up for each other, to lean on each other, to give each other grace, and most of all, we’ve created an inseparable bond and become an extraordinary team.
Check out Gloria's winning GUNNER Effect video here, and read more #GunnerDogs stories here.
