Chowder the Wonder Dog

If there is any question about the title "Wonder Dog," well, then you never met Chowder.

Chowder Head Crockett went by many names, including CFD (Crockett Family Dog), Chow Chow, wormdog, and Chuck's better half. We celebrated his birthday on September, 21st, 1997, which would make him 13, going on 14 now. Unfortunately, Chowder passed away on June 30th, 2011 due to old age. In his memory, I would like to share some thoughts and stories about this amazing pup and would encourage you to do the same in the comment section below.

Chowder was very timid, especially when he was first adopted (I remember driving my brown Honda Accord, picking him up from the shelter, and bringing him home). When we first got him, the first day in fact, he spent the night in my parents’ room (because he wouldn't go outside). I came home around midnight that night, opened the door, and heard an "oof" from my parents’ bedroom... Then laughter. Chowder heard the door open and was scared, so he jumped up on the bed and landed right on my mom. From that day on, we knew he was an inside dog...

... Or was he? Also when we first adopted Chowder, we would leave him in the backyard when we all left for the day (work, school, etc). Yet, when we came home, he would be sitting on the front lawn... What the hey? We would end up finding his spots where he literally clawed up the fence (finding claw marks and hair), and we ended up putting up barb wire, but Chowder found a way through that (told ya he was a wonder). Even though this young pup kept escaping, he never really escaped, but rather wanted to sit on the front lawn and watch the world around him... We basically learned that he knew where home is and never really wanted to leave... that makes me smile.

Chowder was uber smart. My mom worked with him a lot on tricks, and boy did Chowder learn some tricks. He gave high fives, shook hands, brought in the paper, walked without a leash (and didn't cross the street until instructed), among other tricks, but one of my favorites was rolling over... He would always get half way, and then roll back the way he started. I always wondered if going the full way hurt his back or that's what he thought he needed to do, but either way, it was adorable. I know my ma use to get him to roll over when going downhill (on the front lawn), but never sure what was going on in his giant doggy brain...

Chowder loved to play when he was younger... with humans I should say. He loved to chase, and loved to "rescue" people, where he would (gently) move your hands from your head by grabbing them with him mouth. Zach developed a game when he taught Chowder to snarl and bite (gently) when Zach put fingers near his mouth... In the game, that would "kill" Zach, and then he would need the "kiss of life" to play again, which Chowder was always happy to provide. Speaking of kisses, Zach also "taught" Chowder to answer yes and no questions with kissing (one lick for no, two for yes I believe)... Of course, these kisses were more Zach holding his face until he got the number of kisses he wanted, but that was still fun.

Chowder was always very gentle. I remember when we got Sable the ferret. She was just a baby, and the instant she saw Chowder, she jumped on him and started attaching him. You would think Chowder would react aggressively (by instinct), but he just sat there and watched. Even when Sable jumped on his face, he didn't really react (rather just tried to softly shake off the little weasel). Chowder's always been gentle and patient, even with other dogs. In fact, I think he's only snapped at another dog once, but this dog (very cute) had been trying to get Chowder to play for months... once Chowder took action, all was well with the world and the doggies were friends and had an understanding. By the way, Chowder and my parents’ current ferret Scratch did play sometimes. Chowder would chase Scratch, but it would mostly be Scratch jumping and attaching Chowder.

Chowder LOVED to walk. Even after his ACL surgery (which is an injury he suffered during a walk), he still loved walking and never wanted to go home. When given the option, he would always turn the other way to continue sniffing and exploring the outside world. I loved hearing about his walks around my place and how he never wanted to go home, rather he wanted to explore new parts around my place.

Chowder was raised to think he was a person. He was always at my parents’ side, especially my Dad's. I think my Dad was disappointed when people wouldn't let Chowder into places he wanted to go (like the grocery store or Barbershop)... But that's okay. They went to a lot of dog friendly places where Chowder could get the attention he deserved (Bass Pro Shop come to mind). One of my favorite conversations ever goes something like this:

Mom: "Do you think Chowder would like dog sledding?"
Dad: "Sure."
Mom: "Where would he be in the pack?"
Dad: "What? No. Chowder would be in the sled."

Just goes to show you how special he was.

Chowder hated kites... With a passion. No idea why, but he did. If he saw one in the air, he went NUTS... Still never figured that out, but I will never look at kites the same again... He also disliked one of my Grandpa's carvings of a Native American’s head on top of my parents’ hot tub... The hot tub was fine, the head anywhere else was just dandy, but you put the two together... watch out now.

My Dad dubbed Chowder "Security" one day, since he was always on the lookout (I guess). He did a pretty good job. Given, he would watch someone break into the house and not do anything, but he would see it all. I did love coming home any time of day, opening the door, and hearing the single "woof" as he came around the corner to see what's going on. As soon as he saw anyone, his tail would wag and he would want petted and attention... which we were all happy to give him... always.

The wormdog nickname came out when Chowder was younger. I'm not sure what caused him to do this, but when he would lay down, he would tuck his front paws under this head, making it look like he had no appendages, and hence look like worm... that was a dog... wormdog, get it?

One of my favorite things Chowder would do was lay on my couch at home. We would hang out at my condo, leave to get dinner, see a show, whatever, but then we would come home, and Chowder would be on the couch! I hope he knew I never wanted him to get off and he was always welcome there (I would even kick other people off for him :)

As Chowder got older, he became more social with other dogs. In fact, my parents left the door to the fence open so Chowder could be social with his buddies that walk by (and vice versa). In fact, one of the more recent times I was home, one of the pups and their master walked by our place without stopping by, and when my Mom called Chowder over to see, he started barking to get their attention (Chowder doesn't bark much). That brought the other pup and her owner over right way. Very cute. And it wasn't just people and dogs that loved Chowder, one of my Mom's box turtles, Shelby, had a crush on Chowder, and would follow him wherever he may go.

These are just some of the thoughts and stories that come to mind with Chowder. As I think about it, it amazes me how many lives he's touched and how many smiles he's created. Just like Ham Bone, our previous family dog (who did a lot of trail blazing for Chowder), and other ferrets, hamsters, turtles, mice, cockroaches, and even a lizard, he and everything about him will always be loved and never forgotten. Rest in Peace Chowder, you will be missed. Hope the smells in heaven are even more interesting than they were here.