Gimli Courtney

In honor of Gimli, we have planted two rose bushes. They may look like ordinary roses—but to us, they are so much more. These are “Julie Andrews” rose bushes, planted in memory of our sweet, tiny teacup Yorkshire Terrier: Gimli, who met Jesus on Sunday, June 1, 2025. He passed peacefully in the arms of those who loved him dearly. Our family is devastated by his loss—he was not only our beloved dog, but our steadfast companion for 16 beautiful years. His pedigree name was Courtney's Gimli Dwarf, but he will forever be remembered as our loyal friend, our "Best Boy," and our “trusty faithful pooch.”

Over the weekend, the entire family gathered to share funny stories, reminisce about his quirks, and celebrate just how loving and incredibly smart Gimli was. We laughed remembering how he would watch Mary Poppins and fall fast asleep as Julie Andrews sang “Feed the Birds.” He even found comfort when family members sang the song to him at bedtime—it became part of his nightly routine, a lullaby just for him.

Gimli lived a full and joyful life. Born on March 21, 2009, and welcomed into our family on June 8, 2009, he was just one pound when we first brought him home—smaller than a can of Faygo, able to fit into a coffee mug. We had to go all over town just to find a harness small enough to fit him.

After graduating from obedience school, Gimli's intelligence really began to shine. He quickly mastered a host of impressive tricks like “Stick ’Em Up,” “Bang!,” “High Five,” “Pray,” and “Roll Over”—especially if Honey Nut Cheerios were involved. The tricks didn’t stop there. Sheila even taught him to flip playing cards, and he regularly won games of “War” against the whole family. He had an uncanny internal GPS—he knew if we were headed to the vet long before we arrived—but would also light up when he realized we were going home. He understood so many words that we often had to whisper or spell out words like “bath” or “vet” to avoid tipping him off.

Gimli played a role in nearly every decision around the house. He was consulted about new boyfriends, notified when turkeys or deer trespassed on his lawn, and never missed his chance to inspect the mailman. When alerted to wildlife, he would shoot out like a bolt of fur and legs, gleefully rounding the house at top speed and closing the distance faster than you'd believe possible for a dog his size.

He was there for it all—watching Lions games, attending flute lessons, dressing up for Halloween, shopping in Shipshewana, going for speed boat rides, and even getting caught "driving" a car. He adored his beloved “Fanfare” toy, loved hammocking in the shade, gnawed on bully bones longer than himself, and enjoyed every chance he got to slurp down a pup cup from Biggby. He also loved long stays with Kathy McLain, who cherished him dearly.

In 2013, Gimli became a college student. He hiked through the Ravines at GVSU, lounged on the beach with Kelly Ann, and helped roommates study with a well-timed cuddle. From 2017 to 2021, during grad school, Gimli still found time to kayak, visit countless parks, and make his cherished yearly appearance as “Santa Paws.”

From 2021 to 2025, Gimli traveled by airplane for the first time and spent half the year as a snowbird in Miami, living among lizards and hurricanes. He also helped welcome a baby girl into the family, who adored him despite his reticence for her.

More than anything, Gimli was a comforting spirit. He was always quick to identify a family member in distress and would clear away tears with a warm kiss. He spent countless hours cuddling beside loved ones during times of heartbreak, illness, or grief. He even served as a therapy dog, offering comfort and companionship to those in need.

Sheila Courtney was always impressed with the way Gimli was cared for through the years by her two daughters and their husbands. A special thank you goes to Alexis and Zachary, who showed extraordinary care, love, and dedication during Gimli’s final months, helping him through his health struggles with tireless devotion.

We also wish to thank Rebecca L Photography for the “Last Session” in January. Those images are treasures we will hold close forever. Our dear friend David Visser has been an incredible source of encouragement and support, always offering his wisdom and compassion without hesitation. The vets at Mattawan Animal Hospital and in Byron Center also gave their very best, and for that, we are immensely grateful.

That’s why these “Julie Andrews” rose bushes mean so much to us. They are a living tribute to the dog who meant the world to our family. To everyone who followed Gimli’s adventures on Facebook over the years—thank you for your comments, your love, and for cheering on our sweet boy. Losing him is incredibly painful, but he will stay with us always—in our memories, in our hearts, and now, in every blooming rose.