Wolfgang, our black-and-brown brindled Staffordshire German Shepherd cross, was a hero. His hobbies were to be fox-wrestling, swimming, racing cars and attacking snakes. In his old age, he retired to fly-snapping and rat-catching.
When Wolfy (his loving nickname) was still a pup, he was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser and miraculously survived without a scratch. He would step on snakes and remain unbitten, bark ferociously at cars (causing one salesman to drive away in fear, while another time, a policeman emerged from his car with a gun at the ready only when Dad convinced him Wolfy was harmless), and became King of the street (taking on three Coolies and a little yappy dog at the same time, promptly causing them to run away, and also lording over two massive Old English Sheepdogs).
Wolfy’s friend, Rocky, was a young rooster who had an internal injury concerning his hip and was abandoned by the flock. Rocky would sleep roosting on a watchful Wolfgang, consume his dog food and water – as the other chickens also did – and balance on Wolfy’s back as our dog moved about slowly to make sure his friend would remain unharmed. Unfortunately, Rocky died as a youngster, but Wolfy befriended many other creatures.
Wolfy barked at anything, so when Dad heard him one night, he ignored it. Eventually, as the noise did not abate, Dad ventured outside and Wolfgang whined at him, running up and down the drive in a frenzy. After a bit of coaxing, Dad followed Wolfy to find a man stranded in an upside-down car. He was one of our neighbours. Ringing the ambulance, Dad praised Wolfgang, who remained alert. Later, we found out that the man had suffered severe shock, caught a cold and obtained a broken leg and he is sure that he would have perished if Wolfy had not raised the alarm – he probably would have.
Wolfy was a very friendly dog and loved sleeping inside during winter. He was also protective and trotted at our heels when we went blackberry picking. Wolfgang loved the beach, and I always said to myself, I won’t go back for him when he wants me to come back in. He’s too spoilt, but I couldn’t bring myself to resist that hopeful, adoring face. He was such a handsome dog – well, to me, at least. He was around hip height, a bit lower, and his liquid brown eyes were so amiable, friendly, loyal and forgiving.
When I was tiny, he let me ride on his back, and played the Big, Bad Wolf in our games. He was always at foot when I took out the bike or rode the horses, and I think I will always notice his pictures when I walk through the house. Wolfy was just so loyal, so good with children, so friendly, and I loved him so much.
Wolfgang, my dearest and best friend, you will live in our hearts forever.