About Swim

Swim was only a few days old when I realized he was the one who would stay with me. There was something special about him from the very beginning.

He was an incredibly fun dog to train, whether it was retrieving, useful everyday exercises, silly tricks, or helping pick up everything that was dropped on the floor. I loved every single day I spent with him ❤️ He had tremendous drive, speed, and willingness to cooperate, yet at the same time he was calm, uncomplicated, and easy to live with.

I have so many wonderful memories from all our training sessions and adventures together, especially our walks in the forest where he could run off lead yet never stray far from my side. He would jump onto every rock and tree stump, hoping there might be a treat waiting for him, and he would be overjoyed if I had "accidentally" dropped a ball for him to retrieve. Not to mention skiing trips, paddling adventures, cycling, and kickbike outings—Swim joined in on everything, always happy, always enthusiastic.

For many years, he was also an excellent demonstration dog at training courses. And I will never forget the time we were hunting woodland grouse with friends and Swim located a black grouse cock far away from where it had been shot. For Swim, it was easy; for us on two legs, it would have been an impossible task.

Swim's personality suited me perfectly. He was my dream dog, and there is a reason I kept three of his offspring and now also have one of his grandchildren living with me—I am deeply grateful for all of them. The bond Swim and I shared is the most special relationship I have ever experienced between a dog and a human. Swim passed away shortly before he was due to become a grandfather for the first time, and I had so hoped that the puppies would grow up alongside this steady, kind, and trustworthy dog. Sadly, that was not meant to be.

Swim was everything I ever wanted in a dog, and it still hurts knowing that I will never again look into his beautiful eyes, feel his soft coat between my fingers, let him bury his head deep in my lap, or feel him rest his head across my legs while I am lying on the sofa. I will never again see his eyes light up with excitement when I say "out" and point toward a retrieve, or simply ask him to pick up a food bowl. Nor will I see him immediately pick up whatever he happened to wag off a table or whatever I accidentally dropped on the ground.

Swim took part in several duck hunts in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and he also joined a number of pheasant shoots in Denmark. When I met Kristian in 2020, pigeon shoots became an annual autumn tradition as well. Swim truly loved it and always did an outstanding job.

When it came to achievements, Swim somehow always seemed to end up in second place. His best results included a 2nd Price (Very Good) in EK (open class), a 2nd Prize in Åben A (novice A Stake in Denmark), a Silver Medal with the Norwegian team at the Nordic Flatcoated Retriever Championship in 2016, two runner-up placements at the Norwegian Flatcoated Retriever Championship, runner-up in the Open Class Club Championship (EK), runner-up in the Novice Class Club Championship (AK), and runner-up in the Hunting Cup's highest class. Even in the show ring, he placed second at all three puppy shows he entered, while his best adult result was 2nd Best Working Class with CK.

To me, however, he was always number one. No one above him, and no one beside him.

Swim and I were selected three additional times to represent Norway at the Nordic Flatcoated Retriever Championship, but unfortunately I had to withdraw twice due to illness, and one event was cancelled. Sadly, that one appearance was the only opportunity we got.

Swim is forever and deeply missed ❤️