Little Chief Timberwolf was his full name, a descendant of Balto, Chief was a therapy dog who helped a LOT of people! He was a very special dog, companion, friend, teacher, mentor, family member, who I shared a very special bond with! He lived a great life for 11 1/2 years, he touched a lot of lives, and was loved by all that met him! Both my son and myself fell in love with him the first time we met him. This was so common, he was just one of those dogs that you instantly fall in love with, not because of the beauty he was graced with, and he was beautiful, but for that wonderful energy he had about him!
He recently started to lose weight very quickly, we battled but lost the fight on March 25, 2010. The vets think it was cancer.
Chief in his lifetime got to do and see so much, more than lots of dogs and even more than some people get to experience. He was a Therapy Dog who helped a lot and I mean a LOT of people.
One of my favorite stories about him was a woman who hadn’t spoke in a long time. Chief was brought in to see her and within 5 minutes she was talking to Chief, the nurse was amazed! The nurse said the woman hadn’t talked in like 2 years!
Chief had such a wonderful calming and healing energy to him! He got to work with cancer patients, elderly in nursing homes, adults and children alike! He helped many to retrieve their lives by giving them hope and love! He was just that way! Always giving what he could give!
I mentioned he was a mentor and teacher to me. He taught me a great deal about life, love, caring, giving, patience, and his most recent gift to me during these past few weeks was a lesson on positive energy and it’s power! Something I have been struggling with, and a precious gift I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life! Because of him I can now feel energy like I never have before!
He LOVED going on walks, looked forward to them everyday! Once out on the leash he had this little “strut” to him that I called the “Chiefy Strut”, it was just so cute to see! He was such a happy dog! LoL even strangers would be attracted to him and ask to pet him when they saw us out and about! They would always walk away with a big smile on their faces.
On Thursday morning, March 25, 2010, he was fine, spirited, spunky and eating. He had actually gained 1 lb back in the last week, may not seem like much but it was progress! About 1pm he came up to me while I was working on the computer, sat down beside me and I started petting that loving head, and scratching those great ears of his, while looking into those wonderful multi colored eyes, one blue, one brown!
Well, soon I was on the floor and he was snuggled up to my leg wanting his belly rubbed. Pretty soon the energy took over in an indescribable way, it was like our energies merged into one very warm, calming, healing, and loving energy orb! This lasted for about 45 to 50 minutes and once again was just an incredible experience! I will forever cherish those minutes. He got up and walked to his room and rested for a while. He got up suddenly around 2:45 like he was about to get sick which had happened a few times over the last few weeks, but this time he sounded like he was in pain. He looked at me and told me it was time! Both his original owners, Pat and Rick, as well as my son and myself were able to be there for him! I think the vets were a little freaked out that so many came for him. 🙂
I loved him so much, I recently had him tattooed on my back! He will truly be with me for the rest of my life, he touched my heart and graced my life in a very special way! He touched a LOT of lives in a special way, he was a healer, mentor, teacher, companion! I’ve had clients want to get pictures made with him and he was always willing to accept their request. He truly touched the heart of all that met him! He will be missed by the MANY that loved him! He was so loved my many many people! Such a special, sometimes goofy guy! 🙂 He will live on in my heart and in the images I have taken of him, and in the hearts of all that knew him!
Little Chief Timberwolf, September 13, 1998 to March 25, 2010!
In loving memory, you will be missed! Thank you for gracing my life with your presence and for all the lives you touched and brought joy to! RIP my friend! I’ll see you again at Rainbow Bridge, until then enjoy playing with your former pack members, Shasta, Bear, Shadow, Tasha and Smokey!
Thank you to my son Joseph and his wife Jenny for bringing Chief into my life, he was a true gift, and a great friend!
These are some of my favorite images of him! 🙂 Ahhhh the good times! Balto himself would have been proud of you!
Puppy Chief….Yes he had big ears, but he grew into them nicely! 🙂
His former pack. Chief is on the right in the picture above. Notice that everyone is on the same foot! Now that is a pack!
Chief is in the middle, LoL always next to the human! 🙂
Another shot of his former pack.
The next couple shots are people Chief helped as a Therapy Dog! 🙂
The above picture was just taken 1st of Feb. 2010. Just 8 weeks ago.
I was out front shoveling snow when I noticed Chief through the fence. He almost looks mean in this, but he was super gentle and the best trained dog I have ever owned. 🙂
He truly loved the snow! No surprise being a Siberian! 🙂
A shot taken last fall of Chief and his buddy Smokey! Both gone but never forgotten. They became really good buds and in Smokey’s last days Chief was right beside him the whole time!
Chief, Me, Smokey and Mia. Chiefs latest pack! This photo was taken by Greg Frieden.
Chief and myself! 🙂 Thank you Chief for all the gifts you gave me! Photo by Greg Frieden
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The time comes.
A Siberian Husky lifts up its head.
There is an untested adventure beyond.
Time to go.
Across the Rainbow Bridge is a place for all dogs.
A river runs wide and shallow with tennis balls that fly with their own wings;
That is the place for a Labrador or a Golden to await its master’s arrival.
The Siberian is not content here. Northward is its trail.
There are soft pastures for Aussies and Border Collies, with sheep and geese to pen.
Agility equipment grows like trees amid Frisbees and fly ball.
But the North continues its sure wild call,
And the Siberian’s journey continues.
Now the air is colder. Now the moon is always full.
Now the light is silver and it breaks and shimmers on fields of bright snow.
Now there are no roads, no walls, no pens, just endless space to run.
; This is where Siberians gather, North of the Rainbow Bridge.
They wait in this beautiful place, happy, but not complete.
Suddenly, a howl begins, as one dog senses someone coming, someone very special.
All the Siberians raise their heads and join in the ancient chorus.
They dance like moonbeams and sing like winter winds.
There are red ones like dawn streaks, black ones splattered with many colours
And silver ones like the first strange hour before light.
They line up as if in harness and run together,
In a scintillating, many-coloured streak.
The leader of the team guides the others past the fields and river,
With racing feet and racing heart.
They rush to greet the new arrival at the Rainbow Bridge
Where the leader is rejoined with its beloved person, never to be parted again.
The glory of the reunion is celebrated by all the Siberians dwelling beyond the Bridge,
A glimmering, multi-coloured team leaping and whirling with joy.; The light from that scene is
what we see on magical evenings in the northern most parts of this Earth:
The Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
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As always, hope you are having a great day! And stay positive! 🙂
Carl
Visions Photography – Go Beyond the Snapshot, YOU deserve something special!
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Well, I’m crying now, thanks Carl! But it is good to see you going through the grieving process with dignity and grace. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you Karen, glad you liked it! He was a special guy who helped a LOT of people in his 11 1/2 years. He loved being a therapy dog! 🙂
thanks carl.. i finally cried.. i loved cheify so much.. hugs sweety.. so glad he had you for a daddy! hugs!
Thanks Stubby, I know how much you loved him, wish you could have said goodbye. It just happened really fast, but it was good it happened during the day and when I was home so I could be there for him! He loved you too, that was obvious! 🙂 Hugs
Carl this was beautifully written and the photos….all great to see – as a pup, with his pack and with his current family! I may try and give you a call tomorrow if that’s okay. HUGS! Miriam
Thank you Miriam! I was blessed to have had him in my life! The very definition of a true friend! 🙂