Animals

Farewell to the best boy

By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters

CHIEF, Chiefie, a giant amongst dogs, is gone. His earthly body is gone, and his big goofy smile is now a cherished memory.

My boy passed away on Thursday, May 27. That dreadful, unforgiving cancer got the better of him.

He had an international following and his amazing personality enabled me to write frequently about him to such an extent that perfect strangers would come up to me and ask about him.

How do you begin to say good-bye to your best buddy, your confidante and your furry friend?

Words will never do him or the remarkable connection we had justice!

Fifteen years ago we were blessed to adopt a sweet, small, golden potcake puppy who had been rescued off Blake Road. Little did I know then how long we would be together, nor the adventures and life events we would experience together. He grew, and grew, until he weighed in at 80 pounds plus of splendid, muscular, glowing Potcake with the softest fur ever.

This was my boy Chief.

Last Thursday, he lost his battle with cancer. He fought valiantly and bravely. Over the years Chief had battled several medical issues and won, but at 15 he was tired and the cancer was too aggressive. It all happened quickly and our hearts are broken.

He was always there, right there for me.

When I travelled, I am told that he took up vigil in the garden where he could watch the gate for my car (even though the car was in the garage) to return, even if I were gone five weeks, he would spend several hours every day watching. He knew that I would come back (I had told him that) and he waited patiently. When I returned I was greeted with circular wags and kisses, partnered with high-pitched woofs to punctuate his delight.

People who came to my house when I was away always told me that our other four dogs continued life as if nothing had changed, but not Chiefie, he wanted his Mum home.

We were pals, he was spoiled, and I enjoyed spoiling him unashamedly. About five years ago he kicked me out of my TV chair and I had to sit beside him. He bristled with pride and would reward me with a lick and a tail wag. It was his happy place and he was very satisfied that he had usurped my age-old spot! I didn’t mind one little bit and sat beside him, stroking him quite contentedly.

I have often wondered what I would say about Chief when the time came. I have written about so many dearly loved dogs, cats and horses, but this is the most difficult. Working through the tears is hard enough, but the desire to just sit and think and look at photos is almost crippling.

In the last couple of years Chief became “pen pals” with Archie in Australia, who loved playing in the mud, Archie passed away suddenly a few months ago and I was shattered for his human. Now she is comforting me, remembering the Chief stories and putting a tribute on the Senior Dog page. Dogs bring the world together.

Chief was just a regular potcake, but we gave him the chance to express himself and with that freedom came personality. He knew he was important, he knew that he was loved and he had tremendous self-confidence.

When he was in the States a few years ago for his radiation treatment, he was a different dog, nice and allowed strangers to stroke him. The moment he was back in Nassau, the guard dog returned and no stranger could touch him. He had two persona, and both were fiercely protective of me. He was a happy dog. Content to sit on his favourite sofa near my desk and watch me write. I would hear him sigh contentedly. He slept on my bed, frequently almost pushing me off the bed. His last days I slept on the sofa-bed in my den so he could still sleep on my bed.

Our Bernese mountain dog, Star, brought Chief up, and did such a great job. She, too, died of cancer when he was one years old. She took him over as her pup. He learned well from her, above all how to “speak”.

He was such a good boy: feisty, fussy, demanding, funny and smart. Everything you could hope from a dog you got as a puppy and had no idea what he would grow into.

This morning I could have sworn I heard him calling me. I heard him barking in the distance…I have a feeling that he was telling me to cheer up and treasure the memories and enjoy the beautiful sunsets that he is sending me.

We were blessed to have him for 15 years and I cherish all the memories.

CHIEF has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 15.

pet of the week Ode to Odette

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

TWO-YEAR-OLD Odette may look like a kitten, but this laid-back lady is well past her kitten antics. She’s very mellow but enjoys meeting new people.

Odette is fine hanging out with the other adoption cats at the Bahamas Humane Society, but she’d really like a home of her own for this summer. book. To find out more information on Odette or the other adoption animals, please call 3235138, or drop by to visit. Odette looks forward to making your acquaintance!

•The BHS Thrift Shop is open. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 3pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. We sell gently used items to raise funds for the shelter. If you’d like to donate, we’d be grateful to accept your donation. If the shop is closed, please leave them in the main shelter. Thank you!