Kaoru, a four-year-old Tamaskan, may have been the victim of mistaken identity. Photo: Canine Valley
This is depressing. In Canada this week, near Squamish, British Columbia, south of Whistler, a hunter mistakenly shot a dog 10 feet from its owner, according to witnesses. Valley Calderoni was on a hike with a friend when her dog, Kaoru, was shot and killed. It is hunting season and the hunter cooperated with authorities. Wolves are in open season but authorities declined to state whether it was a case of mistaken identity.
Kaoru worked at Canine Valley as an emotional therapy dog, helping autistic children and other people suffering from emotional distress. The dog had a natural, calming effect on people, according to Calderoni.
Calderoni relayed a story to the CBC of a man the dog helped who was trying to deal with the death of his wife who’d perished in a car accident. The client went on a hike with Calderoni and he asked him to lie down during the trek and breathe deeply. “My dog just came and laid on top him, and she let him get it out,” she says. “He cried for the first time. He just let go and Kaoru knew what to do.”
The four-year-old pup passed away in Calderoni’s arms. It’s not yet clear if the hunter will face charges but Calderoni warned other hunters to be sure of your shot this fall. “I don’t want anyone to go through the pain of watching your soulmate die in front of you,” she said.
