Apologies – this is not much of a fishing report.  It is dedicated to Pumpkin.

So sad…  Our beloved Pumpkin has had her last “walkies” with guests along the Tongariro River.

So please excuse us, this is such a difficult post with any real dignity…

She arrived here as a tiny forlorn abandoned pup in September 2012 with the indefatigable Stacey, from the local dog rescue, looking for a better new home.

Back then TRM’s original boxer Boof comprised TRM security patrol.  Security?  Better described as PR?

Pumpkin soon took over, as female species tend to do (I have not suggested she might have learnt from SWMBO) and led Boof on so many naughty doggy adventures for the next two years, until Boof booked out with a series of nervous fits and had to be “put down” by the vet in late 2014.

So she really extended Boof’s life and they formed such a happy and formidable team.

Pumpkin had been found abandoned somewhere over near National Park living on grass, so her years at TRM were blessed by so many wonderful guests spoiling her and taking her “walkies”.

In particular over the last year or so Peter Mark has included Pumpkin on his daily river walk with his dog Buddy.

That was Peter collecting Pumpkin in the image at top.  Such kindness.  Many thanks to Peter and Ann for their generosity to Pumpkin’s welfare.

Pumpkin is guarding her favourite toy on right.

Every morning as soon as she was fed she would wait in excited anticipation knowing that Peter would soon be here with Buddy to take them on the river walk.

On Sunday she had already been for “walkies” with another devoted inmate before Peter arrived.

On her daily walk with Peter on Sunday she just suddenly gave up and died, so it might have been a heart attack or stroke.  If it was going to happen it could not have been less painful.  We are grateful it was all over in a flash.

We know from previous vet visits etc. she had a weak heart and often gave up on longer walks.

After all, she was female and she decided when she had walked far enough.

We must confess where the name Pumpkin came from…

On right is the image of Stacy from the local dog rescue team delivering her here.

In a cool small town they know when you need another dog.  Don’t ask how, they just know…

She just turned up out of the blue one day with this bundle of fur – perhaps she knew SWMBO was away on holiday?

Stacy thrust this tiny pup into my arms and I remember how it immediately cuddled me and licked my chin.

Right then, the decision was made by Pumpkin, it was all over – she adopted me!.

When SWMBO returned from holiday she was so thrilled to discover another useless security manager had been appointed in Her absence.

Anyway Stacy obviously found I was an easy push-over when I asked her what the new dog’s name was?  She had called it Pumpkin so that was where it originated from.  Not a very suitable name for a savage guard dog but it suited her friendly temperament.

But what I did not realise is all her refugee abandoned lost dogs, looking for a friendly new home, were called “Pumpkin”.

Most of the dogs in Turangi are called Pumpkin…

Pumpkin soon endeared herself to all TRM inmates and bravely wandered in occupied units to check if there was any kids or other dogs that needed attention.  We advised concerned inmates that Pumpkin was trained to do a drugs test sniffing everyone.  They seemed to accept that OK.

As a serious guard dog she was absolutely hopeless.  Quite useless.  But that just added to her charm.

Many regular fishos asked after her immediately on arrival to book in to take her “walkies”.  This obituary is for them.

She thrived on ‘love’ from all our inmates.  She would abandon her breakfast in exchange for the friendly attention and pats from guests.  A real female dog…

That is Herbert on right taking her walkies during his visit in 2014.

She was loved by so many and will be missed.  So if you own (or she owns you?) your own furry version of a Pumpkin, then give her a big hug and lots of loves while you still can, as they can disappear in a flash.  Only then you realise too late how much they meant and how they will be missed.  It is too early and too difficult for me to write up a proper Pumpkin eulogy with the dignity that she deserves, words appear so inadequate, so I hope the images do it for us…