On July 23, the border collie known as the “world’s smartest dog” died of natural causes at the age of 15. Chaser’s family announced the dog’s passing in a public post on the Chaser the Border Collie Facebook page on July 26:
We are beyond sad to report that on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in the Pilley family home, Chaser got her wings, joining John Pilley for their next adventure. We, the Pilley women, Sally Pilley, Robin Pilley and Deb Pilley Bianchi, were with her as she passed. It was peaceful, beautiful, quiet.
Chaser reportedly began “going downhill” a couple of weeks before her peaceful passing.
Chaser was known for her amazing ability to understand a vast number of words. She mastered the words thanks to training by her owner, Dr. John Pilley, a professor emeritus of psychology at Wofford College in South Carolina. Dr. Pilley passed away last year at the age of 89 and his family continued to care for her.
In 2014, Dr. Pilley told the New York Times:
“the big lesson is to recognize that dogs are smarter than we think, and given time, patience and enough enjoyable reinforcement, we can teach them just about anything.”
Donations in Chaser’s name can be made to Hub City Animal Project at this link to Facebook.
Check out Chaser in action in this PBS/NOVA video:
(Image of Chaser via Facebook)
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So sorry for this family’s loss of Chaser. May she rest in peace in heaven with the man who loved her.
They are both in heaven watching over the rest of their family until they all meet again!