Community Spotlight: Dog days of summer

By Sara Sipe
EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Community is built on many things: ideas, people, places, structures and environment. But is any community truly complete without dogs? Certainly, Big Sky would not be. Big Sky has a long, rich history of extraordinary canine residents, and they serve us well. We have dogs that rescue, dogs that retrieve, dogs that guide, and dogs that protect our perimeters.

But dogs have another extraordinary ability – they bring people together! Big Sky dogs are conversation starters, ice breakers and friend-makers. Our stores, trails, offices and parking lots are filled with our furry friends who always seem ready to make your acquaintance. Be open to this. Go say “hi” to Fido—I bet you meet one of your neighbors. And the more neighbors we know, the more grounded and cohesive our community becomes.

Wildlands Music Festival in Big Sky, Montana July 31 through August 1 2026

So, as we move through these fleeting summer days, don’t forget to say hello to your four-legged neighbors. It’s bound to put a smile on your face!

All the good boys and girls

“Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

– W.R. Purche

Alaska

At just three months old, this future service dog already enjoys an outdoors lifestyle including kayaking. As she learns and grows in Big Sky, Alaska will be poised to provide her human with whatever assistance may be needed. Good Luck, Alaska! canine.org

Bert

Like many of our bigger fellas, this four-year-old great Pyrenees and lab mix is always eager to find a body of water to cool off in, any day of the week.

Stink-eye Stella

This seven year old Chihuahua enjoys protecting the perimeter and soaking up the sun (on a pillow like the Princess she is).

Blue

Like many Bernese mountain dogs of Big Sky, this spunky three-year-old loves heading out of town on hots day to Hebgen Lake.

Scout

This two-year-old spaniel-lab mix loves swimming and retrieving golf balls from the tall grass.

Biggie

Walks with friends Dash, Birdie and Pippi are this six-year-old Akita-labmix's favorite summer activity.

Dallas

Is there anything happier than a threeyear- old golden retriever enjoying a ride in a golf cart with his human? No.

Felix

This naughty little seven-year-old husky-German shepherd mix spends his time eating things he shouldn't while he waits for winter.

Duke

When this six-year-old cattle dog mix isn't in town giving off his big "duke" energy, he can be found at a river or lake.

Tess

Waiting for winter.

Sierra

As a former ultrarunner, at 13 years old this recently retired blue heeler now enjoys a slower pace of life with her favorite humans (mom and dad) on a trail or at a favorite fishing hole

Stella Blue

This six-year-old border collie is always up for an adventure but also likes to stop and smell the wild flowers.

Ein

At just eight weeks old, this mini Corgi has already found his (short) stride at the Big Sky Community Park and Beehive Basin Brewery.

Birdie

Enjoys long walks with epic views.

Echo

Semi-retired from the Country Market, at 10 years old this lab enjoys exploring Big Sky and spending time with "Uncle" Kyle down by the river near the ball fields.

Lola

When asked about her favorite summer activity, this one-and-half-year-old Bernese mountain dog had no comment.

Milo

Spending this summer wondering why his mother moved them away from Big Sky.

Buddy

He's ready, willing and able!

Pippin

Following a jog, this five-year-old commuting corgi loves to stop by Treeline Coffee.

Willie

Always ready for a swim!

Dobby

A cool drink. That's all this one-anda- half-year-old handsome shelter mutt needs to be happy on a hot summer day.

Tippet

Until recently, this five-year-old black lab's favorite summer activities were biking with his roomies and going to a barbecue. He's now discovered the waterslide. Summer will never be the same.

Beavis

New to the Big Sky scene, this two-and-a-half-month-old morsell of cuteness is learning to hold his own as a little-dog living in a big-dog world.

Kitty

When this five-year-old (mostly) Alaskan malamute is in between shifts at the Blue Moon Bakery, her favorite summer activity is walking over to LPC to get a dog treat from whoever is behind the counter

Hidey

At 15 years young, rafting the Yellowstone, cold plunges and wildflower hikes (by the creek of course) are favorite pastimes of this black lab and German shorthair mix

Macy, Byrdie, Sunny, Coco

A mini goldendoodle and three cavapoos round out this pack of four-year-old squirrel chasers

Stetson

A bike or a hike! That's all this sevenmonth- old Australian shepherd has on his mind this summer.

Smoochie

New to the pack, this one-year-old collie/heeler mix is content to spend all her time with her small human.

Fannie

Like the good heeler she is, eight-year-old Fannie is all about chasing squirrels.

Brick

At four years old, this English great dane does whatever he wants all summer.

Addy

This five-year-old aussiedoodle splits her time between here and Maryland and is always ready for a hike.

Chuck

This almost 11-year-old corgi is a frequent visitor from Bozeman.

Oats

Always up for the next adventure, this nine-year-old mini husky is a ball of energy.

Ullr

Nothing is better than a soft canyon breeze for this nine-year-old Alaskan shepherd.

Forever summer

“Everyone is taught that angels have wings, but the lucky ones of us find they have four paws.”

– Unknown

Grady

The G.O.A.T. Loved & missed by the Paulson Family

Sadie

You never had to ask twice if this good girl wanted to go to the river. Loved and missed by Ozer Family.

Schmoe

A girl's best friend. Loved & missed by the Matute Family

Black Betty

This good girl loved swimming and feeling the summer breeze. Loved and missed by the Ladd Family

Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!