Born to be wild - life of a free spirit

Harawene was a Rotorua icon. A stray dog that decided to make her home on the side of busy Te Ngae Rd. Her death has touched a nerve. Why? Read these tributes and you'll understand.Harawene might have been a stray but we owned her. She was ours.
Closer Now Than Ever Before



Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight,

Remember I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,

God picked me up and hugged me and he said "I welcome you".

When you think of my life on earth and all those loving years,

Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you to tears.

But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain,

Remember there would be no flowers unless there was rain.

But one thing is for certain - though my life on earth is over,

I'm closer to you now than I ever was before.

And now I am contented that my life was worthwhile,

Knowing as I pass along the way I made somebody smile.

To our precious Harawene,

We will always hold you close within our hearts, beautiful memories we'll

treasure forever.

Loving you

always,

forgetting you

never.

Aroha tino nui,

Tia and Bill

Kowhai

World famous in Rotorua

Being a weekend taxi driver, I delighted in telling my out-of-town passengers the story of "Harawene - world famous in Rotorua" and to watch as they scanned the paddock and bank, the joyous: "Yes, there she is, we can see her." I always joked, when her time came to roam that great highway in the sky, Rotorua would go into mourning and probably even have a Harawene Day on her anniversary each year.

Unfortunately, on my way to the airport last Tuesday, April 29, lunch time, I saw a black and white bundle that had been bowled on the middle line of the road near the Oyster shop. I quickly looked away not wanting to take SAD on holiday with me, stretching the imagination to it being a possum, albeit a black and white one.

Well, the time has now come. Perhaps we could have our Harawene remembered each year on April 29 - flowers laid on her bank (unwrapped, so they can merge into the grass over time and not require someone to clean up), a wee terrier statue could sit permanently in the paddock side of the fence (so it doesn't interfere with the council mower) and a white cross with her name, even an In Memoriam in the paper.

On the Close Up programme May 6, Mr Coutts said some people would wonder why a homeless dog could attract more empathy than a homeless person, I can only surmise we, as people, have choices. The choice of the householders who were Harawene's carers all these years created our wee roadside icon, you too have always been part of her story as the inevitable question arises "so who feeds her?" Many thanks.

Evelynne Skinner

Rotorua

Sadly missed On Monday, April 21, 2008, we were heading back from the airport at Rotorua at about 1.30pm. Harawene was having her lunch, a large bowl of bones.

We had been meaning to stop to take a photo of her for sometime now and decided this was the chance. We stopped, she looked at us then ran back through the fence into the paddock where she turned and watched us through the fence.

We managed to take three photos of her, then we drove off and left her to her meal.

She was looking very grey around the muzzle but still the same darling little dog that we have come to love over the years.

We sincerely hope that she was not run over, perhaps she has wandered off over the farmland and died of natural causes. Whatever your fate little one, rest in peace. You will be sadly missed.

The Cairns Family



Touching hearts I used to drive past the wee dog every day when we lived in Rotorua. If I missed a day of not seeing her I would be looking out over the paddocks to try and spot her. She touched the hearts of many dog lovers, myself included, I think, because she was such an independent little thing. It's amazing that she was in that area for so long. I hope her disappearance is solved.

Joan and John Robinson.

Geraldton, Western Australia.

Watching the world go by A wonderful little dog - couldn't help but admire her when you saw her sitting in the sunshine watching the world go by on the busy road - but how my heart went out to her in the winter - it's a pity that she lost her life in such an undignified way - if only whoever hit her had stopped to pick her up.

Thank you Daily Post for allowing tributes to be given to not only Harawene, but to the people in the neighbourhood who cared for her and also the SPCA and dog control who allowed her to have the freedom she chose.

Jan and Phil Watson



Free spirit Mrs Marjorie de Lange and myself feel saddened indeed by Harawene's passing. We have known the little dog and her circumstances for the last five years or more and it has been the highlight of our trips to see her as we travel to and from the city each week.

God bless all the folk who have had her welfare at heart for all those years and allowed her to remain the free spirit that she was.

She may not have chosen to be man's best friend but certainly was the best friend of many.

It would be a fitting tribute indeed to see a little statue erected in her memory.

Yours sincerely,

Heather Foley.

Bringer of joy To dear little Harawene - thank you for the joy you have brought to me and to the people of Rotorua.

You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace now, little girl.

With love - Sue B.

Memorial plaque For all of us who loved little Harawene, I suggest we give a donation for a statue or plaque to be placed on the bank where she lived.

Perhaps collectors could be at the City Focus. I'm sure we'll all dub in as she'll be sadly missed. Any donations left over could go to the SPCA. RIP

Yvonne Kilmore