Chako's Story
Chako's story is told by his former caretaker and lifelong friend, Anne Gale.
Chako and HFL Animal Care Specialist Genevieve Grammer.
More photos: Chako and Anne | back to original photo
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Chako is an 8-year-old Siberian Husky. He is black and white with stunning blue eyes. He came into my life in 1998, shortly after my late husband and I lost our 15-year-old Alaskan Husky. We rescued Chako from a shelter near Trenton, NJ. He was about a year old and had been found wandering the streets, wearing a collar but no identification. No one claimed him, so he was available for adoption. We first saw him on a Sunday on a local television show, so we went early Monday morning to visit him. When we pulled up at the shelter, he leaped up to greet us and leaped right into our hearts.
He is all Husky—bright, full of energy, playful, affectionate, and always smiling. For several years he had an ideal life, as my husband was retired and he and Chako spent a lot of time together. However, in 2001, my husband passed away, and Chako, my three cats, two horses, tarantula, and I were alone. For Chako, that meant being alone during the day while I went to work. But he is a trooper—he never complained, he was always well behaved, and he continued to be a true and loving friend. We played together in Chako's fenced-in yard each day when I came home from work, and we always walked before bedtime.
In May of 2005, Chako and I took our nightly walk, just as we had done every day for almost seven years. At the end of our walk, I held out a biscuit for him, and he jumped to take it, just as he had always done. But on this fateful evening, his back legs went out from under him when he landed, and he twisted his back. He herniated about 20% of the discs in his spine (too many for surgery to be an option) and ruptured many blood vessels, resulting in a large blood clot on his spine. I rushed him to my vet, who sent us immediately to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, one of the finest animal hospitals in New Jersey.
After about a week in intensive care, we knew Chako would live, but it would be many weeks before we would know if he would walk again. He spent two months recovering at Red Bank. He regained feeling in his rear legs but is unable to move them.
As Chako was recovering from his fall, I made the decision to purchase a wheelchair for him. I had every intention of keeping him with me for the rest of his life. I had absolutely no idea what a change in lifestyle his paralyzed state would require. No one with similar experience was available to provide guidance or advice as I was making this decision.
I am a widow living alone, am 56 years old, and have arthritis in my hands, hip, and foot. My elderly parents live next door to me and require my attention and care regularly. Also, I work long hours and travel for business. Caring for a large dog in wheels is not a one-woman job, and I simply did not have the time or the ability to provide the care and attention Chako now needed and deserved.
While it broke my heart to have to do this, it was in Chako's best interest to be placed where he could receive the care, time, and attention he required.
As soon as I learned about Home for Life, I knew it was the right place for Chako. Fortunately, Lisa [HFL's executive director] agreed, so at the end of October a friend and I drove Chako from New Jersey to Star Prairie, Wisconsin. We had a great trip—Chako was a superb traveler. He especially loved sleeping in bed in our hotel rooms!
When we neared at HFL, I became very distraught as I knew I would be leaving my canine best friend behind. However, as soon as we entered the grounds, I began to feel at ease. The staff was so friendly and supportive. The facility was clean and had every possible feature and amenity to make the residents comfortable. And most important of all, the animals were clean and happy.
I miss Chako terribly, and I plan to fly out to visit him several times a year. In between visits, however, I know that Home for Life is truly the best possible home for my guy!