Tuesday, July 27, 2021 You have no idea how much I do not want to write this post, typing through tears. But we lost our best boy Chief yesterday and he has quite a few fans out there who deserve to know. A legendary guardian if ever there was one. He had been struggling to walk lately and it got so much worse over the past few weeks I scheduled the vet to come out and look at him. Old age arthritis is what I was hoping for and some good meds to make him more comfortable. But the diagnosis was much worse, osteosarcoma in his front leg and very poor prognosis. Amputation was the other choice and that is cruel to a dog this proud and this old. So we made the hardest decision a dog owner will ever have to make. My vet cried with me as we hugged over the inevitable decision.
We adopted Chief from the county shelter in 2012 after he was found wandering in the streets with a mouth full of porcupine quills. He had grown up in one of the sheep camps and learned his guardian skills from his parents. Somehow he got left behind and the shepherd said he didn’t need him. (We had to call, he had a livestock tag in his ear) So we gave him a name and a job and more love than he ever felt before. He was the best of the best and I think I will never stop missing him. Job well done Chief. Rest in peace.
Photos of the Day: Beautiful boy Chief, Gentle Giant, fierce protector.
Showing baby Blue the ropes.
Giving me his side eye.
Smiling Chief.
Play date with Charlotte who mises him greatly too.
Forever in our hearts
Michelle
Oh Linda. My heart is feeling your loss as I read this post. I so looked forward to my visits and to see Chief. I always joked he was my other boyfriend. My thoughts will be with you all for many days to come. He was a gentle dog and will be greatly missed. Love and hugs to you all.
Michelle
Sunny
Oh know! I am so sorry, Linda. I cannot imagine the hole in your heart right now, but how grateful you must be to have had this gentle soul with you for so long. His spirit will always be on BMR. Just a thought….maybe to keep some of his fur to put in a future Spriit Doll…? I am sending huge hugs and Love to you all.
Sunny
Tami Endow
Linda and Ed,
I am so sorry for your loss!!! I was looking.forward to seeing the full family later this year. Such a difficult decision, but the best one for the right reasons.
Take care of yourself during this difficult time!
Love and prayers!!
lori
So heartbreaking to hear of your loss. I love your photos and stories of Chief, and will miss that too. My thoughts are with you all! Carry on Chief!
Louise
So sorry for your loss Linda. You made the right decision for Chief but I know how hard it must have been. He’s well now. No doubt you will miss him forever. Take care!
KATHIE D CARPENTER
This breaks my heart. When we came to visit he walked over and rolled on his back for us to scratch his belly. He must have known we are dog parents, too. What a beautiful majestic boy. RIP Chief.
Linda
Thanks Kathie.
Barbarashughes
Rest In Peace CHEIF !
What a great & good dog,
Job well done.
To your people and fur friends, you know he still
Your guardian, I’m so sorry for your sadness.
You lived every day in awe and gratitude for your CHEIF! Give thanks for him in your life💜
Linda
Thanks for your comment Barbara.
Maureen Lifton
I am so sorry for your loss Linda. Lots of love, hugs and healing energy. RIP Chief…
Linda
Thanks Maureen.
Gigi Caito
I am heartbroken for all of you at Blue Moon. Chief left some big paws to fill.
Linda
Indeed he did. Thanks Gigi.
Jill longshore
Hugs and love. These losses of our trusted canine companions are so hard. He was so fortunate to have a full life of purpose and loving care. Find comfort in what he has taught Blue and the many memories with him.
Linda
Thanks Jill. He did have a good life.
Brenda Sorensen
This makes me so incredibly sad, I barely know what to say. He was a magnificent dog. You gave him the perfect home and he couldn’t have been more loved. So very sorry, Linda. God bless you, Chief. Rest in heavenly peace. So happy we got to meet you.
Linda
Thanks Brenda.
Tama Moore (Harvey)
Thank you so much for sharing the stories about Chief. He was a good dog and did a good job!
Linda
Thanks Tama.
Ingrid
Joining you in shedding tears over Chief’s passing.
It is só hard to make that final decision, it hurts so much. But in the end it is the final act of love and respect for an animal companion.
You were blessed with him in your life, may you draw strength and comfort from that.
Sending a big hug from across the Atlantic.
Linda
So true, thanks Ingrid.
Caryl Frink
Such a sad time for Blue Moon Ranch. I only got close enough for Chief to bark at me as I looked across at the ranch from Lower River Road four years ago on my last UT visit but I have followed him for so long on your blog. Across the country tears are flowing in RI and MA.
Linda
Thanks Caryl.
Jean Glaser
Oh Linda, I am so sad to hear this Chief was a wonderful guy! You will have one more furry angel watching over Blue Moon now. Hugs
Linda
Thanks Jean.
JillAnderson
So sorry for your loss. We just had to make a similar choice with our 16 year old Jack Russell. It is never easy.
Linda
It’s the final gift we can give them and so hard even when we know it’s the right choice. Sorry for your loss too Jill.
Sharon D Smith
Dear Linda & Ed,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Chief was indeed a special dog and beautiful. He loved his family and his job. He was a very lucky
dog that you and Ed found him and gave him a great loving home. The care and love you and your family give to all the animals
is amazing and I have loved following you all these years. Take care.
Linda
Thanks Sharon.
Beth
A Guardian. A WARRIOR. And yet I see him now, lying on his back, smiling ear to ear, with a crowd of children surrounding him, all sitting on the ground or on their knees, scratching him, or just with their hands on him absorbing his kindness.
Linda
Thanks Beth.
Carol Thornton
So heart broken to hear this. Loved the photos of him and all your extended fur family. Love to you all. Like you said, he had the best family. xxxx
Linda
Thanks Carol.
Kenzie
I am so so very sorry for your families loss. Such an amazing animal, friend and protector. Sending many prayers to your family. Thank you for sharing him with us!
Linda
Thanks Kenzie.
Cathy
So sorry for Chief’s passing. It is so very hard to let them go but he had the best family ever!
Linda
Thanks Cathy.
Paul Richardson
Linda, my mother & I are so sorry to read about Chief’s passing. We have been following life at Blue Moon for many years and we feel privileged to be able to witness the joy & sadness that is part of your special world at Blue Moon. We remember well the time Chief came into your life. Thank you for all your posts & photos. Our prayers & thoughts are with you during this sad time. Take care.
Linda
Thanks Paul and Violet.
julie harris
Such a beautiful story. He found love on your farm and you received so much in return from him😍I have always loved the photos you shared.
Linda
Thanks Julie
Judy Smith
I don’t know you or Chief, but I’m crying with you. So sad to lose a beloved pet. Not that your other dogs are a replacement, but you do have them to hug right now. Cancer has got to be the worst and I’m glad you put Chief’s needs first. He seemed to have a good life with you and that’s what counts. Glad you rescued him.
Linda
Thanks Judy.
Lana Nickerson
What a beautiful boy. I am so sorry for your loss. I’m crying as I write this. I so know what you are going through. What a wonderful story he had. I’m so glad you got him and gave him such a good life. RIP Chief.
Linda
Thanks Lana.
Nancy Masak
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was one of the great ones! I’m so glad I got to meet him. You were my inspiration for having Great Pyrs. It’s impossible to explain to anyone who has not owned a Pyr how magical they are. The year 2018 was devastating when I lost 5 of them. i send you hugs and comfort. xo
Linda
He was indeed. Thanks for your comforting words Nancy.
Susan Cummings
Ohhhhh I am so very sorry for your loss and have walked that path many times myself. Hugs to you his family and a job well done for beautiful Chief who galloped across the Rainbow Bridge to wait for you. Thank you for your post. He will be missed 💔❤️💔❤️
Linda
Thanks Susan.