Chelsey Havill, Nederland. Pharoah was rescued from the Longmont Humane Society Animal Shelter in 2015. His name was already Pharaoh (proper spelling), but it was easy to change it ever-so-slightly to Pharoah (after jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders). He squeaked and squealed his freaky avant-garde language the entire time I walked him around the shelter! His howls of excitement certainly drew a lot of attention, but I knew it was his special way of communicating. I had a gut feeling that this special guy belonged in Nederland, and boy was I right!
Pharoah had the best opportunity a people-loving dog like him could ever ask for. As the main greeter at The Business Connection, he got to meet and make a lot of amazing friends in town. As the unofficial “shop manager”, he loved hanging out with the employees while they worked on projects, and checking in on customers at the computer workstations. Several locals came by the shop just to see Pharoah, give him treats, or slide him a piece of bacon they saved from their breakfast sandwich. He knew many customers by the sound of their voice, running up to them as soon as he heard them come in. Pharoah even had his own ad in The Mountain Pages, and a popular postcard for sale at The Business Connection. He loved meeting new faces, and he shined as a shop dog. He truly lived a lucky life here in Nederland.
During the last week of his life, Pharoah had visitors who loved and spoiled him every single night. He had the time of his life on a special trip to Twin Lakes Off Leash Dog Park, complete with hot dogs and cheeseburgers. We did everything we could to make his last days on earth as special as possible.
I would like to thank The Mountain-Ear for giving me this opportunity to let the community know about Pharoah’s passing. To everyone who loved Pharoah, please know that you helped me give him the perfect life that he deserved. I am eternally grateful. What I’ll miss most was his overwhelming excitement to see each of you every day. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Rest easy Pharoah. You were SO very loved.
(Originally published in the October 22, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)
