The next day morning, Wallace was out of bed on his own. Although, he did use his gadgets to get dressed. He called the number on the card Karen gave him yesterday.

"Dr. Watkins office," A rather horse-voiced woman answered, "This is Receptionist Debbie; how can I help you today?"

"Ah, Ello Debbie," Wallace said, "I would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Walker to see my friend Gromit."

Debbie, somewhat perplexed, replied, "Sir, this is a dog Psychologist's office."

"Yes," Wallace said, "Gromit is a dog, you see."

"Oh," Debbie asked, "Is he your Dog?"

"Yes," Wallace answered.

"I see," She said, typing something on a keyboard, "May I have your name, sir?"

"My name is Wallace," he said.

"Righto then," she said, "and what seems to be the matter with your Gromit?"

"Well," Wallace said, "I'm not entirely sure, but I have been told he is reticent. He hardly ever makes a sound, I don't mind, but others have raised concern."

Debbie gasped, "Oh dear, if that's serious, he'll see you right away."

"Oh," Wallace said, "see you soon then."

Wallace hung up the phone and went up to Gromit's room. He gave a loud but gentle knock.

"Time to wake up," Wallace said, "You have an early appointment to get to."

Gromit stepped out of the bathroom, a bit confused.

"Ah, there you are, old chap," Wallace said, "Come along to the car then; we have errands to run."Gromit was bewildered but followed Wallace to the garage. They went in the car and were on their way to the Doctor's office. They parked outside and got off the vehicle into the office. Gromit was on all fours, looking around.

Wallace approached Debbie, "I'm Wallace, and this..."

"Took you long enough," Debbie said, interrupting Wallace, "He's waiting for you in the second room to your left. just through that door to my right."

Wallace went through the door with Gromit shortly behind. They came to the room where a thin gentleman was waiting.

"Are you Dr. Walker Watkins," Wallace asked.

"Why yes," the gentleman said, "And this must be Gromit."

He bent down to look Gromit in the eyes. He stared rather thoughtfully.

"I heard a poor pup has lost his woof," The Doctor said, somewhat concerned.

Gromit cocked his head in curiosity.

"Don't worry," the doctor said, "We'll work together to find it again."

"Shall I leave then," Wallace asked.

"Yes," Dr. Walker said, standing up, "but be back in two hours; I have another client coming in."

"Of course," Wallace said, "Be a good sport Gromit, do what the doctor asks."

Gromit nodded, with a bit of wag in his tail.

"Off I go then," Wallace said, "See you soon."

Wallace left, and Gromit turned to the doctor a bit nervously.

"Alright, Gromit," Dr. Watkins said, "Let's ease in with a few tricks."

He pulled out a bag of treats. Gromit was surprised.

"Now sit," Dr. Walker commanded. Gromit sat down as instructed.

"Good boy," Dr. Walker said, giving Gromit a treat. Gromit sniffed it, still a bit suspicious. Then he nibbled the dog treat. Gromit ended up eating the whole thing because it was the best he had ever tasted.

"Now lay down," The doctor commanded. Gromit complied and laid himself on the chilly office floor.

"Good boy," The doctor praised with another piece of food from the bag. Gromit's tail was wagging quickly now. He was eager to continue.

"Now speak," the Doctor instructed. The request stumped Gromit.

"Go on then," The Doctor urged, "Give us just a small bark."

Gromit remained quiet, now getting a bit upset. His tail stopped wagging.

"Hmm," Dr. Watkins said thoughtfully, "That is unusual."

The Doctor lifted Gromit's chin and looked at his neck.

Dr. Watkin's remarked, "No damage to indicate you were silenced by surgery."

Gromit was a bit distressed now. Dr. Watkins lowered his chin down.

"Why are you so quiet," Dr. Watkins asked Gromit, "did you see something, or did someone hurt you?"

Gromit thought a bit and then, after a moment, shook his head.

"Interesting," Dr. Walker said and then asked, "And this Wallace character, he has been treating you well?"

Gromit nodded rather enthusiastically.

"Heh," The Doctor chuckled, "I can only imagine."

Gromit felt his hope rise a little as his tail was back to wagging.

Dr. Walker asked, "Do you ever speak or woof around Wallace?"

Gromit shook his head.

Dr. Walked said, "Does he do most of the talking?"

Gromit nodded, feeling amused at the thought.

"Interesting," The doctor said, "And you have still hardly made any sound."

"It's okay, Gromit," The doctor reassured, "I'm going to help you find your voice."

Wallace soon returned, and Dr. Watkins brought Gromit out to him.

"Gromit was a good boy today," Dr. Watkins said, "And it would seem I might have gotten to the root of the problem."

"Oh," Wallace said excitedly, "That's fantastic news! What is it then?"

"You took Gromit at such an early age from his litter," Dr. Watkins explained, "He never learned how to bark, so he's quiet. But that's not to say he doesn't still communicate in other ways; However, with proper therapy, I can help him get a bark if you wish."

"Well," Wallace said, turning to Gromit by his side, "What do say, lad, you want to try to get a bark?"

Gromit didn't pause to think about it; he nodded with glee.

"That settles it then," Dr. Watkins said, "I will see to it Gromit gets his voice."

Wallace cheered, "Hurrah!"

Dr. Watkins said, "See you tomorrow, Gromit."

Wallace and Gromit went home with a present at Gromit's side of the dining table.

"I got you a little something," Wallace said, "I hope you like it."

Gromit opened his present to find a plain black collar with a tag. Gromit was pleasantly surprised.

"It's not too flashy this time," Wallace said, "And it has a custom engraving on it."

Gromit looked at the tag, and sure enough, it was engraved with a letter G. He felt proud to put it around his neck.

"There you go, chap," Wallace said, "you look smashing."

Gromit blushed at the compliment, feeling very handsome.

Over the next few days, Gromit and Dr. Watkins would work together to help Gromit speak. Gromit did as he was told, but barking just did not come to him.

Until one fateful night, it was quiet until a window was smashed open, awakening Gromit. Gromit rushed downstairs to see a masked intruder had come into their home through a broken window. The intruder held a finger to his face as if to silence Gromit.

Gromit felt a growl come from his throat involuntarily as he stared daggers at the intruder. He forgot a weapon, so his only chance was to alert Wallace somehow. The growl seemed to grow louder as he came to the intruder; it was like it was building in his mouth. The Intruder was scared.

Wallace was startled awake by a sudden, "Arf-Rarf!"

Wallace got up quickly, shouting, "Gromit, is that you?"

"Ruff," Was the reply, "Arf-Rarf Ruff!"

Wallace quickly rushed downstairs to see Gromit on all fours and the intruder trying to hush a growling Gromit

"I'm here," Wallace said; "oh dear!"

The intruder fled out the window. Wallace immediately called the police.

Gromit calmed down and stopped Growling. Wallace was frantic in filling in the Constable on the phone before hanging up and turning to Gromit.

Wallace asked, "Is that what you sound like, Gromit?"

Gromit nodded, a bit unsure of himself.

"That's," Wallace said, "Wonderful! You have such a lovely voice, dear old chum."

Gromit's tail wagged; he felt very proud of himself. Wallace patted Gromit's head. Police cars flew by in hot pursuit of the intruder.

Wallace said, "Come along then, we should head back to bed. We have exciting news for Dr. Watkins."

The next day, Wallace made the call, but it went straight to voice mail.
"Ello," Walker's recording chirped, "You've reached the office of Dr. Walker Watkins; My office is closed at the moment but feel free to leave a message."
Beep
"Oh my," Wallace said, "Well, this Wallace and I have some smashing news for when you get back. just give me a ring when you can, tata!"
He hung up and turned to Gromit.
"How peculiar," Wallace said, "He must be off on holiday."
Then there was a knock on the door. Wallace answered, and Karen was back on her doorstep, smugly smirking.
"Your time is up, Wallace," She said.
"Miss Karen," Wallace said, "I can assure you I have done all that I can to help my friend."
"I'll see about that," Karen sneered. She shoved herself into Wallace's home and right up to Gromit.
Gromit was Frightened by Karen's size and harsh glare, and a whimper came from his throat involuntarily.
"Oh, you poor dear," Karen said in a condescendingly sweet tone, "I bet you have been hurt."
Karen attempted to touch Gromit.
Wallace almost had a heart attack when he heard an unmistakable, "Yipe!"
Wallace rushed over to see Gromit curled up in fear, still whimpering and whining. Karen Scowled at Wallace.
"Oi," Wallace said and asked, "What did you do to Gromit?"
Karen then asked, hissing, "What did you do to him?"
Wallace gasped.
"He's terrified of me," Karen Hissed, "You must have been beaten him."
"What," Wallace said, flabbergasted, "No, I would never-"
"LIAR," Karen screeched, "YOU FAILED!"
Wallace's mouth was agape in shock.
"Now," Karen shouted, "My Board and I will immediately remove Gromit from your abuse into a loving home."
Gromit gave Wallace a worried look. Wallace teared up and got quiet.
"I understand," Wallace mumbled defeatedly. Karen left in a huff.
Three other more minor heavyweight ladies came in later that afternoon. They cleared out all of Gromit's things. Wallace, all the while, was weeping. He was just so crushed.
Gromit tried to comfort Wallace, but the lady pulled on his leash and dragged him away.
The Ladies took Gromit and his things to a lovely-looking home far, far away from Wallace in the countryside.
Gromit was still sorrowful even as a younger-looking gentleman came out of the house. He took Gromit's things and put them inside. He returned to receive Gromit
"Ello," The man said, "You must be Gromit."
Gromit wagged his tail as if excited, but his heart was heavy.
"I'm Gregory," The man said, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you, and you can forget all about the monster who hurt you."
Gromit felt a bit upset at that comment, but no sound came from his throat.
They went inside, and Gromit was on all fours as he allowed Gregory.