R.I.P. Chief 1/15/96 - 6/6/09

I had to put my dog down today. I had Chief for 13 years. A long time for a golden retriever. He was a great dog and made my life much more enjoyable. Most of my ex girlfriends would say the same thing. My parents were even crying when they heard the news. One thing about golden retrievers (and many other breeds) is that they prefer to be around people and when they are no longer around you know part of your family is missing.

Even with all of his medical issues (blindness/uvitis), hip dysplasia, fatty lumps or tumors?, etc.) he was the best. I miss his wet nose nudging me to take him outside or to wake up. I'll miss his craziness when the words "treat" or "cheese" were mentioned. He was a smart retriever. I taught him to open doors by pulling on a sock tied around the door knob. I taught him to get my shoes, the tv remote, his leash, and like most retrievers he loved to swim in the pool. Before he went blind, when we would swim in the pool he hated to see someone go under water. He would swim out to make sure they were okay. If we were wrestling on the floor and he bit me to hard I would tell him "You hurt me Chief!" He would put his head down and come up to me almost as if he understood and was sorry. Dogs seem to learn to read their owners and know their moods.

I had many names for Chief; Chunks, Hairy Belafonte, Chunky Monkey, Freak, Lunchbox, Hairball, and Crazy to name just a few. Somehow he always knew I was talking to him.



Thanks Chief, you did good. There won't be another like him.