Tribute to Chief

A few years ago, our family pet, Chief, came to us. A friend of mine, who lives in Iuka called me and asked me if we wanted a dog. Rudy, my friend, said that someone had dropped a dog off at his house. They already had a couple and needed to find him a home. He said that he was a mix but that he looked like a golden retriever. Eric and I talked it over and decided it was time for a pet. We drove to meet Rudy and the dog at Tishomingo County High School. The kids liked the dog from the beginning and were really excited. We named him Chief because we picked him up where the Braves play.


Chief was a very skittish dog. He jumped at loud noises and did not let just anyone pet him. He had a problem with jumping on all of us. He loved to be petted and would not stop jumping on you until you gave him your full attention. That was not a very good thing when you are wearing…..say…. a white pantsuit. He did grow out of it though and became a very companionable dog.

He always came to say goodbye when we left home and came to greet us when we came back. He loved leftovers. He knew how to open the back fence with his nose and get out whenever we wanted him to stay inside of it. He had a couple of best friend dogs from across the road that he liked to hang out with. He never met a squirrel he didn’t want to chase. He trotted along with the children when they went biking. He liked to play soccer with Amelia. Tess loved to brush his golden coat. He liked to play chase with Ty. He always sat by my lawn chair at my feet when I read outside. He loved to lay right under the hammock so that the occupant brushed his coat as they swung to and fro.

Sadly, he met an untimely death yesterday. He was beloved by many. He will be sorely missed.