A dog with a legacy in Brunswick, Chowder gets his turn to speak | Column

Maine’s cherished black Labrador “Chowder” dies; family holds double ash‑sprinkling at Casco Bay

A beloved black Labrador who had made his home in the Thornton Oaks community has died after a difficult surgery, and his owners held a double ash‑sprinkling ceremony on Casco Bay to honor him and the late grandmother of his owners.

The dog, whom the family called “Chowder” – a nickname that grew from his ravenous appetite – was given as a wedding present to the couple, the story’s narrator says, at the age of three months. He was neutered shortly thereafter, and over the years he became a fixture on the property, known for his love of food and his willingness to wander into neighboring houses.

“Dad would use my stomach for a pillow,” the former owner remembers. “I was always a lover, not a fighter.”

Chowder’s diet was eclectic. In addition to the usual leftovers, he was known to go after dead seals found on the coast, a sand shark he found at Cape Hatteras, and even a deer leg that he carried home from the woods. He also enjoyed human foods – “egg McMuffins,” cheese left on a coffee table, and a cake intended for a baptism ceremony. He avoided onions, which he found unpalatable, and was reputed to have a sweet breath so he could be “platonic” with other dogs.

The black Labrador reached a peak weight of 110 pounds, though his “fighting weight” was typically about 90. He enjoyed long walks in the woods, swimming, and spending time with his four “step‑brothers” – other dogs that lived in the same complex. He also loved to run loose at Mere Point on weekends during summer visits from Massachusetts, a pastime that sometimes led to him being quilled by a porcupine or sprayed by a skunk.

After a night when the family noticed something wrong – the dog stared at Dad for a prolonged period – the owners took him to a veterinary hospital. The vet warned that the dog would need an operation that would cost $4,000 and that his chances of survival were uncertain. The owners decided to proceed, but Chowder did not survive the procedure.

In a touching tribute, the family gathered at Seal Rock on Casco Bay to sprinkle Chowder’s ashes. The ceremony also honored the dog’s grandmother – “Moo,” the owners’ mother – whose ashes were interred alongside Chowder’s. Stepbro Andy read a poem he had written for the dog, titled “Ode To Chowder,” and Dad shared fond memories of Moo.

The family, who have not yet decided whether to adopt another dog, continue to walk the neighbor’s dog, Kami, at night. “No one can fill my shoes,” one of the owners said, referring to Chowder. The family has left a black Labrador rug in Apartment 219 for anyone who passes by, inviting people to “pat me if you want.”

In the wake of the loss, the owners reflected on the dog’s legacy: “I always tried to spread love around, and I never missed a meal or a snack,” Chowder’s narrator wrote. “You’ll be just fine. Trust me.”