Cheyenne
The Wonder Dog
Cheyenne, the wonder dog, has long been synonymous with the Prairie Guide Magazine as our mascot. You can find Cheyenne in all our publications. Cheyenne came into my life in the fall of 2000. He was a 6 month old rescued doggie from the Regina Humane Society. Often referred to as a Dingo Dog, he is a cross between a collie and a shepherd.
The first day that I brought him home, he was very unsure about everything. With one good sleep under his nose, the next morning he woke up in what he thought was heaven. Lots of hills to run and explore, lots of food, water and tons of love. I would often see him hopping on the hillside trying to catch grasshoppers or watching in awe as a butterfly went by.
He quickly regained his confidence and took on the responsibility of the neighbourhood coyote watchdog. Not a smelly varmint could enter his domain, without much regret.
He is a highly developed, intelligent, loving being — often resembling a reincarnated Swami, especially when he walks by and winks at you.
Cheyenne is usually in attendance on my deliveries and pickups. He is highly publicized and appears in every issue of the Prairie Guide Magazine as well as Valley Calendars and maps. He is also present at the Saskatchewan Liquor Board in Fort Qu'Appelle appearing on a 40 foot banner that represents the Qu'Appelle Valley. He is the staff of the Prairie Guide Magazine.
On his days off, when he's not busy cooling off on a boat ride, he routinely rid the property of gophers. Sitting patiently at the hole for hours, he waits until the gopher pops his head out... and right into Cheyenne's mouth.
His New Life
In July 2007, Cheyenne official retired from his gopher hunting and coyote chasing days when he made the journey out to Qualicum Beach, BC. He seems to have adapted well to his new surroundings.
I have been blessed to have him in my life as part of this journey. It was only fitting that I paint a portrait of him.
Goodbye My Friend
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Cheyenne who passed away on April 17th, 2010.
After several weeks of painful cancer where he could no longer walk, we made the difficult but humane decision to help him onto his next life.
He has touched each of your lives profoundly and we are truly honoured that he chose to spend 10 wonderful years with us. His is a reincarnated swami, teaching us many lessons and will return again in some other form.
We remember him as a warrior dog roaming the hills of the valley protecting all whom he loved. His legacy goes on as protector from coyotes and destroyer of gophers. He even took on a muskrat, a raccoon (only once) and a few trespassers. His latest victory was a sea otter.
His retirement years were spent roaming the beach, testing the waters, going for walks in the forest chasing rabbits and making his mark on the neighbourhood.
He is without a doubt the most published dog in Saskatchewan history. Truly one of the great loves of my lives and we will miss him dearly.
Doggies are all God's creatures and we are lucky to borrow them for a short time.