Hope fades for our favourite stray

Steve Brown and Gloria Jennings fear that Rotorua's favourite dog Harawene has been killed - but that hasn't stopped them looking for her.

The wee dog who has become a local icon since making Te Ngae Rd her home about 15 years ago, spending her days watching the traffic go by. However, she hasn't been seen for a week and residents fear she may have been run over.

Already people have placed flowers at the little kennel which was placed on the roadside for her to sleep in.

Mr Brown and Ms Jennings live on Te Ngae Rd and have fed the city's beloved stray for about 11 years. Last Friday they buried what they fear were her remains and while they have been looking "harder than ever" since then, they admit they are losing hope she's still alive.

Residents who regularly drove past Harawene say she never ventured on to the road. Mallissa Tanner, who used to regularly feed Harawene, called her a "smart girl who was very street wise". However Glenda Norman, who lives near Mourea and drives along Te Ngae Rd regularly, saw the dog crossing the road early last Tuesday.

Mrs Norman said she had been driving past Harawene for 10 years and always looked forward to seeing her. Last week was the only time she had seen her venture on to the busy road.

About 6am last Tuesday she spotted Harawene walking alongside Te Ngae Rd opposite the Holdens Bay shops by Robinson Ave, maybe 200m from her usual spot.

"I slowed down as I passed her and then looked in my rear view mirror and saw her going across the road. It was fairly dark but I knew who it was."

She said it appeared Harawene knew where she was headed but she thought it was unusual to see her wandering along the road and then crossing it.

The story of Harawene's plight has touched the hearts of people nationwide with Trade Me auction website chatroom members expressing their sadness while others have found it hard to believe one dog could affect a whole community.

Trade Me member "Walkstew" said Harawene reminded her of 80s TV dog star the Littlest Hobo and described her as "an independent wee soul who enjoyed her own company".

Another member, "Wahbonnah" said it was a touching story. "Perhaps they could put a memorial on the TV."

Rotorua District Council regulatory services manager Jim Nicklin said the council had received at least 20 calls from people asking if there was any information about Harawene.

"I'd like to think she died of natural causes. We hope she turns up."

Do you have special memories of Harawene? Send your tributes and photos to us and we will publish them in Saturday's Daily Post. CONTACT US Email us at editor@dailypost.co.nz or write to PO Box 1442, Rotorua.