Canoeing canine is a four-legged embodiment of aloha spirit.Sunday’s dog, he chases sticks,
Monday’s dog, she gets her licks,
Tuesday’s gets a bone to chew,
Though Wednesday’s prefers firm tofu.
Thursday’s barks at sun and moon,
Friday’s dog can hum a tune.
Wherever I hide his bowl of kibble,
Saturday’s just loves the riddle.
As you can see from this canine blog,
Every day has its dog!
One of Maui’s charming and versatile residents, Chaco Maka Doggieman is a dog who finally “has his day.” And, if they’re in the right place at the right time, beachgoers can have their “dog day” too, at a serendipitous encounter with this engaging, multi-faceted canine.
A terrier-whippet mix with a splash of Basenji tossed in, Chaco was adopted from the Maui Humane Society (MHS) five years ago. At the outset, it became clear that there would be nothing neutral about this newly neutered neophyte.
A “poi dog” mutt, Chaco had been a favorite of the staff at MHS. Surprisingly, given his nearly irresistible charm, no one adopted him right away. Finally, a couple filed the official adoption papers for Chaco. When MHS called them and asked, “Do you still want him?” the couple’s response was an immediate and enthusiastic “Yes!”
Since that fateful day, Chaco has shone as an extraordinary dog—a four-legged embodiment of aloha spirit. During his beach walks (often accompanied by his “younger sister,” Emma, a more recent adoptee from MHS), he becomes a compelling focus for delighted children who reach out to hug and pet him. His demeanor at such times is admirably gentle and patient, even with toddlers who sometimes poke him and pull his ears.
Living in a household where rescued birds are sometimes brought for rehabilitation, Chaco plays his unique role. At times nose-to-beak with hatchlings weighing less than one ounce, the 20-pound Chaco sniffs out what’s happening and alerts his human family. His style is reminiscent of Nanna, the nursemaid St. Bernard who dutifully cares for the Darling children in Peter Pan.
Most surprising of all has been Chaco’s penchant for Hawaiian canoe paddling. Though he’s not by nature a water dog, he cavorts uninhibitedly at surf’s edge. He won’t willingly take the plunge for a solo dog paddle. But Chaco will launch into calm or “ruff” seas in a traditional Hawaiian OC-6 (six-person outrigger) canoe, along with members and guests of the Kihei Canoe Club.
Once aboard, Chaco seems to view himself as a coach of sorts: he meanders back and forth from bow to stern, sometimes startling paddlers with the sudden rub of his sleek, short-haired midriff against their legs as he passes underneath the wooden seats. Coach Chaco often has some wise “advice” or “correction” that he conveys by pushing knowingly with his head against the paddler’s arm or back to illustrate what shift needs to be made.
Good dog fun should always be predicated upon prudent safety practices. For Chaco, this means wearing his bright yellow flotation device whenever he’s in the canoe—an excellent example for human paddlers. Chaco’s safety vest is designed specifically for dogs by Ruff Wear, a Mainland company. Doggie flotation vests are also sold by Outward Hound.
It’s apparent to all who know him that Chaco, a complete gentleman when on leash, particularly savors these “best of times” when he’s free to roam the canoe’s hull and assert his alpha-dogginess out upon the deep blue.
Much has been written about what humans can learn from dogs—if we can be wise enough to pay attention and “get” the lesson. Chaco teaches that aloha spirit is alive and well on Maui and that it can be conveyed in the simplest ways: by being available to be touched and loved by others; by being patient with those who may be awkward in their ways of approaching us; and by being willing to generously offer what we know without asking anything particular in return.
As those ubiquitous bumper stickers say, “Slow Down! This Ain’t the Mainland!” Chaco models this, too. If it’s a hot day, stop what you’re doing and lie on your back in the shade for a while.
“Chaco displays that unique doggie ‘radar’ that lets you know he’s not only with you but also sensing what’s going on inside, as if he’s a ‘little brother’ always at-the-ready to give support or an emphatic lick of ‘Ain’t Life Grand’!” said Bill Prucha, an avid canoe paddler whose Dalmatian, Winnie the Pooch, was a paddling pal of Chaco’s.
According to the (still unpublished) Credo of Chaco, what’s most important of all is “Don’t worry, be happy!” and “No matter who’s watching, go ahead and lick yourself.”
Email Chaco M. Doggieman at Chaco@humormatters.com.