Where, oh where can Harawene be?

For 15 years Rotorua dog Harawene has lived on the side of Te Ngae Rd - now that road may have taken her life.

Te Ngae Rd residents Steve Brown and Gloria Jennings have fed the stray dog for about 11 years but have now buried what they fear are her remains.

Mr Brown spotted the remains on the road but thought it was a cat or possum. After noticing Harawene hadn't been seen for a few days, he inspected the remains closer and thought he saw her tail.

He also thought the fur was more likely to be from a dog than a possum or cat.

They buried the remains yesterday in their garden but remain optimistic their little friend is still alive somewhere.

Harawene, believed to be a terrier cross, ran away when she came to Rotorua with her Tokoroa family about 15 years ago.

She has lived on the side of Te Ngae Rd, near the intersection of Robinson Ave, ever since, running away from anyone who has tried to get close.

It's not known how old Harawene was, but SPCA manager Nicola Martin said terrier cross dogs could live up to 20 years if they were well looked after.

Rotorua animal control officer Kevin Coutts said it would be a great shame if Harawene was dead.

"She has been here for as long as I can remember and she doesn't hurt anyone."

Mr Coutts said he had received some phone calls from worried residents who hadn't seen Harawene for about a week.

"Sometimes she does go off for a while and we usually don't worry about her. She usually comes back."

Mr Coutts said he and his staff had a soft spot for the dog.



"I would love to drive down Te Ngae road in a week or so and see her sitting in her usual spot," Mr Coutts said.

Matt Peni, the owner and operator of Hotspotz shuttle service, goes to and from the Rotorua airport on a regular basis and points out the dog to his customers.

"They are amazed at the story and how long the dog has been here, I try to tell them before we get there so they can try to spot it."

Mr Peni said it would be unlikely for Harawene to have been run over as he never saw her on the road.

He hopes that she pops up in the paddock again soon.

Mr Peni said she will be missed.