WE LOSE a member of the family - Chenjerai

Hi all. For those that don't yet know, Chenj, our family dog of 13 or 15 years went for her last visit to the vet today.

she was having trouble even walking. She was in pain. Dan and I agreed today that it was only the human emotions that remained.

Still, when I got to the vet it seemed like the wrong thing to do. Now she is having the long sleep. And I'm sad.

I've put other animals to sleep before, but this seems different. As Dan and I said, at precisely the same time, like some sort of
siamese twins "She's been a good dog".

She was my body guard on many occasions. When I first came to the country, it was impressive to have such a big dog
by my side. No one would question her loyalty. Or test it. She made me safe.

Even two days ago, when Howard Gorrie came to get his sheep, she made sure that she was on the job - belatedly of course
because she couldn't hear or see too well. So now she only gave her warning when Howard was upon her - it still scared the fuck out of him.

I remember other things - when we first picked her, and then went and picked her up. She was already so big that she took up the whole laps of my half-grown kids.

Dan putting her on his bed, and she went down the end of the sleeping bag. She felt safe with us then, and with Dan.


Walking her as a pup, but she wanted to be carried and then would put her head on your shoulder in appreciation if you picked her up.
She never understood that she got so heavy that we couldn't do that.

What about when Dad really didn't understand about having a non-toilet trained puppy in the house, and getting up and stepping in the worst puppy shit/vomit ever created. She nearly didn't stay that time!!!

Then, when I bought her to our first property she had no idea about sheep and she and I had some really hard times as I tried to 'persuade ' her that sheep were not to be chased. My big toe was very sore from kicking her, I can assure you. The worst of it was when she chased a young sheep into the biggest dam (that we had just built at huge cost) and they both swam the whole length, first the sheep in danger of drowning with the weight of its wool and Chenj in pursuit, with me yelling myself hoarse on the side-line.

And then the time she helped with the orphan lambs (years later) - we couldn't round them up, but Chenj went in, and 'adopted' them.
We got them back to the yards with her in the lead and the lambs following her.

What about the milk man that made the mistake of coming into our yard at Pennant Hills???? For some reason I woke up at the precise time he came into the yard
to deliver the milk. Chenj (who used to sleep inside the house in the city) felt my fear at seeing him come into the yard and 'attacked' . Oh my God, you have never seen anyone move as fast as that guy did!!!! The fastest 'backwards' ever. We should have an Olympic 'running backwards' race, and he would have won.

She had a huge 'hound' bark, - very scary. She was huge herself. So huge that she never had to worry about who would win any encounter.

What about (Dan) when she took on Camerons' dogs - or any other dogs. It took only a short amount of time, and maybe a 'toothy grin' and a show of strength via a very big front paw to convince other dogs just who was boss. She used her size to great advantage, rarely having to do much except 'remind' others of her size. She was always the boss with other dogs - or am I dreaming Dan?

Any other stories?

Chenj, rest in peace, and may your energy and wonderful presence move on to higher things.

Louisa Kiely
Finalist 2008 RIRDC NSW
Rural Women's Award
louisa@michaelkielymarketing.com.au