In Memory of...

Blaze aka “Mufasa” “The Blazer”

1999 – 2010

Many medications later and still moaning in pain it was decided that our 11 year old Shepherd, Blaze should be put to rest after being in pain for several months with arthritis and a spine that was fusing together. Tonight I sit here and look at his beloved crate where he spent the majority of his time and it sits empty but an hour ago little Frankie was taking advantage of being in the “King’s” crate since he was absent.

Blaze spent 8years of his life in a dog house and it was probably the only sense of belonging he ever had until he was rescued. Eight years he barked and barked and barked hoping that someone would hear his plea but each time Animal Control and the SPCA visited his residence there was not a lot they could do to help the beautiful Red & Black Shepherd. Recommendations to make a better shelter, feed the dog regularly, keep the dog quite, fines for continual barking, on and on it went. Outdated barbaric laws continue to allow these social creatures to be isolated and neglected.

One wintery day in November 2006, Blaze was picked up running at large. Luckily, he managed to free himself from his torment. He was impounded and waited for someone to come and get him out of jail but no one came and this was the beginning of a new life for Blaze. He was confused and very aloof at the shelter. He didn’t show any emotions but you could tell he enjoyed being brushed. I offered to take Blaze into our rescue and find him a loving home. We took him home and he spent the rest of his years with us. I could not bring myself to part with him, he seemed to fit into our home from day one.

Blaze was such a calm dog we called him our “Mufasa” because he was so “lionlike”. He loved all the dogs he met and no one ever challenged him. It seemed to be an unwritten rule between all the dogs that lived in our home over the past 3yrs – respect the big guy. I have so many fond memories of Blaze but a few come to mind that bring a smile to my face as I sit here reminiscing.

About a year after Blaze came to live with us - many hikes and beach walks later, we were on the beach when a Border Collie and his owner came towards us. The Border Collie crouched down in front of us. I explained to the owner that our three Shepherds were friendly and he stated the same. All the dogs did the butt sniffing introductions then all of a sudden the Border Collie started running and two of my Shepherds joined in on the chase running after the Border Collie. Moments later Blaze decided that he should do the same. Now keep in mind Blaze spent his entire life on the end of a chain and because of this may have missed his puppy classes on doggie cues and pack behaviours. Blaze chased down the Border Collie caught him and pinned him to the ground. I was horrified and could not believe it. My other two Shepherds were still running around playfully while Blaze was there proud as a peacock as if to say “Look guys, I caught her!” Well the owner was mortified and we quickly stepped in. The Border Collie was not injured just scared. Pinning something to the ground comes natural to a Shepherd and they often play this way with each other. According to Blaze this was the game – capture and pin. Needless to say, after this incident we never allowed our “pack” to greet a dog individually to avoid any miscommunications. Through the years, we have had several rats and ferrets and on more than one occasion Blaze was caught with one of the small critters in his crate. We never let it go long enough to see if he was merely cleaning the animals or tenderizing them for his next meal. Just kidding, he never hurt them. He weighed 100bs but was as gentle as could be - careful not to injure the critters. He picked them up carefully and brought them in his crate trying to hide them from us. I am pretty sure they were not impressed.

Over the past several months, Blazes walks became shorter and shorter and he would pace and moan every evening but as soon as a leash was brought out of the closet, his focus was going on his walk. His last beach walk was tough on him and his backend fell to the ground and I knew it would not be much longer. We went to Shubie Park a couple months ago to the leash free area and Blaze must have ignored all his pain that day because there were so many dogs to meet and he did not want to miss out on all the fun. He ran, he played and he was smiling the entire time. One little girl asked her mom if he was a wolf. He was always so confident and portrayed himself with an air of Majestic grace. If Blaze walked by you would know he passed your way. He was too cool for hugs and only liked his muzzle, head and chest scratched. He would come to you for attention and greet everyone at the door but would then go back to his resting spot in his crate.

Today the people in Blaze’s life came to say their farewells and he was treated to bacon and other treats before leaving this world. The original owners treated Blaze like a “lawn ornament” disregarding his unique loving soul but that did not deter him from continuing to trust and love humans. Another testament to the loving nature of this wonderful breed.