ACE Detective

3 a.m. A cold wetness on her cheek woke Helene up from a sound sleep. She opened her eyes to see the dark shape of Chako's head near her own. Knowing what the dog wanted, she groaned and pulled the covers over her head. "Go 'way, Chako. Hold it."

Chako moved to the other side of the bed where Abe slept and nudged him. Abe stirred, mumbled a few irritated words, and went back to sleep. So Chako went back to Helene's side of the bed and nudged her, but she didn't respond. Finally, Chako went to the sliding door leading to the back yard and scratched on the glass.

Abe lifted his head and nudged Helene. "Do you hear that?" He got out of bed, and Chako headed straight for the front door, his body tense. Abe opened the door and Chako darted outside. Seconds later, a scream from the side of the apartment pierced the night silence. Abe ran around the corner to see Chako pinning a man against the side of the wall near the locked tool cabinet.

The would-be thief remained still as Chako barked at him. "Get him off! Get him off!"

"Chako, Come!" The dog returned obediently to Abe's side.

Later, the police arrived and questioned the man. They found out he was indeed trying to break into the tool shed and had a partner who'd fled when the dog came out. Abe looked at Chako and said, "Go!"

Chako took off down the sidewalk and across the alley. Abe and a police officer followed close behind. Chako charged a closed door and pushed it in. A man screamed, and Chako pulled him out by his pantleg. The man turned out to be the second thief, and he was promptly arrested.

This story is even more remarkable because Chako never had any formal obedience training and absolutely no protection training.

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Baby-sitter

Nagia was in diapers at the time, and Abe needed to step outside to take care of something. Rick, a friend, remained in the living room and witnessed this event. As Abe walked outside, he looked at Chako, pointed to Nagia playing on the floor, and said, "Chako, don't let her come outside."

Moments after Abe left, Nagia began to crawl toward the door. She'd just made it to the threshhold when Rick got out of his chair to intercede. However, Chako beat him to the punch by grabbing Nagia's diaper in his jaws and gently pulling her back inside. Chako then positioned himself in the doorway, blocking Nagia's escape route.

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When I grow up, I wanna be a weight puller!

This is the story of how Chako got started in his weight-pulling career. One day Abe was mowing the lawn on our acre of land. Chako insisted on trying to subdue the monstrous grass-spewing beast. Abe finally got fed up with Chako and tied him to the bumper of the car, which was parked inside the gate just in front of the house. Abe then resumed his chore. He mowed all the way to the fence, covering quite a few hundred feet, when he turned around to start in the other direction. That was when he saw Chako. The dog was right behind him, eagerly wagging his tail, car and all.
 
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Let's Play, Damnit!

Rick was a good friend of the family who often came over to hang out with us. One day, about mid-afternoon, he stopped by to say "hello" and chat awhile. He plopped himself down on the floor in front of the couch and chatted with my mother and Abe. Chako trotted in from outside and sat next to Rick, quickly giving him a welcome lick. Rick patted Chako and then told him to go away. Chako remained, giving a little bark.

Rick pushed him away. "Not now, Chako!"

Chako looked abash. He gave Rick a sad, pleading look and released another bark.

Rick pushed him back and said, "No! Go, Chako".

Chako took a step back and sat back down, looking quietly at Rick as the conversation resumed. I sat in the kitchen watching the entire exchange. Chako remained unnoticed for a few more seconds. Then, without warning, Chako leaped up, grabbed the baseball cap off of Rick's head, and barrelled out the back door in one black streak. We all sat stunned for about two seconds before bursting into laughter. Rick headed out the door after Chako as the rest of us stood in the backround in fits of laughter.

Rick chased Chako around the yard, yelling "Damnit, Chako. Give that back! Come here!" It was one of the funniest acts I've ever seen a dog commit, and, to this day, I marvel out how intelligent Chako was. He new exactly what to go after to get Rick to play with him.