Rest in Peace Dear Chew

Chew passed away this morning about 9:00 AM. He didn't move at all last night, and was unresponsive this morning, so we decided the most humane thing to do was call the vet. Our vet was wonderful and postponed the start of a surgery to make a house call to give Chew peace. (Seriously, Dr. Kellogg at Burlingame Veterinary Clinic is a wonderful vet and if you live in Portland, you should consider him.)

Sir Chew the Defender was born on October 5, 1994 and lived a long and mostly healthy 15 years. Chew was an AKA certified chow chow; his mother was Ming Yen How and his father was Bobbie Lee. Chew is survived by his adopted brother, Ben. Chew was good dog when he wasn't being bad. Chew answered to the following aliases: chewbacca, poochie pants, poochie, chewper pooper, chewie, chewie pie, poop master, chew-chew, old man.

I met Chew when he was 3 years old. After getting to know him, I maintained the fantasy that he was a reincarnated Chinese man. He had been bad in his former life, so had been reincarnated as a dog. He resented being a dog. He was very smart and understood me when I talked to him; I could see it in his eyes. He was very prissy for a dog. He didn't like mud or getting his feet wet. He was very dignified while eating and drinking. He never made a mess, unlike some dogs who shall remain nameless. He was mischievous to the end. There weren't many fences that could keep him until the last couple of years when his arthritis got bad. When he was a young man, I used to have to be very careful when opening doors, because he would shoot out and run like the wind. He used to bark so viciously at the mailman (from inside the house) that some would refuse to deliver to our home. I never worried when I was home alone when Chew was there. Despite his breeding, Chew only bit three people. (1) Sam, our niece, who for some reason thought it was funny to pounce on Chew when he was sleeping. Chew gave her numerous warnings, and after about the 50th time, gave her a good nip, but did not break the skin. (2) A groomer who had the unfortunate task of grooming him while he had a soon to be discovered wheat allergy which made his hair fall out and sores grow on his skin. I think he was hurting, but his nip also did not break the skin of the groomer. (3) Bert. If you don't know Bert, suffice it to say Bert was asking for it. If you do know Bert, I'm sure no further explanation is required. I do believe he did break the skin when biting Bert. I think Chew was quite justified in this case.

Chew, you were a good dog. Rest in peace, sweet chew-chew.