Chief “Mojo” Risen

Mojo was deeply loved and cherished. He had such a journey, from a rough start to being a beloved member of my family. Mojo was approximately 6 months old when he was adopted from the Williamsburg County Animal Shelter. Mojo’s life journey began when an elderly lady found him wandering the streets with bloody paws, ear issues, and severely malnourished. The lady unable to care for him, ensured his safety until he was transported by environmental services to the Williamsburg County Animal Shelter. During his shelter stay, he was advertised for adoption but would have to go through six weeks of veterinary care before being released due to his poor health condition. The lady made a request to ask whoever adopted him to keep Chief in his name. 

On October 28, 2014, Chief Mojo Risen found his forever home. I still remember the first time we met. Mojo jumped in the passenger side of a two-seat convertible, and I became his mommy, and he became my guardian and protector. I took him straight to be groomed and it took more than seven baths to get him clean. I was so excited to have him in my life and help him grow, not realizing at the time how much he would help me grow and overcome obstacles in my life. 

With all the negative in life Mojo had experienced he was willing to accept me and become my companion. Mojo came home to meet the rest of his pack which included two min pins Bella Rae and Deuce Bentley. Deuce had also been adopted from the same shelter the year before. This pack stayed together and experienced life in a loving home. Mojo loved to play fetch and catch and continued to do so up until days before he passed away. Mojo always wanted to share and would bring his bone or toy to you so you could eat some and then give it to him. In his younger years he would spin with excitement for treats and to play ball. He loved to take car rides and could not wait to go for a spin or take long road trips. He took numerous road trips traveling through many eastern states as far north as Michigan and south to west Florida. He enjoyed seeing and playing in the snow, the mountains, and the beach as well. He enjoyed every trip and was always smiling with his tail wagging that he could make go on command. The adventures we shared from road trips to snowy mountains, paint a picture of a dog who truly embraced life to the fullest. Mojo's resilience and gentle nature after all he had been through gave me strength within my own life. He taught me to have faith in the good to come and not to ever give up! He had a profound impact on my outlook towards life struggles. 

Mojo loved to sit in the recliner or on the couch and look out the windows. He also loved looking out the front door. When the weather was nice outside, he could be heard running the fence barking and wolfing it up with the neighbors’ dogs. When left in charge, he would lay at the door and guard. Anyone who came in was met with his head and big honking nose at the door. He loved music and for me to sing and dance with him. He loved when mommy made up songs for him. One of his favorites was Chief Mojo Risen is like the color of the sun. He also watched and listened intently when he heard his name “Mojo Risen” playing in the song “L.A. Woman” by the Doors. During the day and when sleeping at night mommy always played calming anti-anxiety music and he was able to relax peacefully. 

He had several nicknames to include Chief, Mr. Moo, Mo Mo, Moo Moo and Moogie just to name a few. He was talkative and had a howl that would make a wolf jealous. He was outspoken with his feelings and would make sounds to let you know how he felt to include loud yawning sounds when he was tired or waking up. Mojo was a gentle boy and very rarely ever got aggressive with anyone or any other animals. He allowed the small dogs to snap at him and hang on him without anger all the way up to his last day when he was not feeling well. He was protective of his family and would get in between Deuce the min pin and others if he thought Deuce might bite. He was especially on guard when it came to the granddaughters Abigail and Addison. He spent many days helping me babysit. For some reason, he was very protective of me and others when we were near water. He always checked in on me during bath time and if I got in a swimming pool he would try and pull me out by my hair. He wanted to make sure everyone was safe. He would not rest until he felt sure I was safe, and he did his job very well. There were many times I knew he was tired from being on guard, I would tell him its ok you can relax you are off duty; I will take it from here. 

Mojo embraced his role as guardian and protector. I know he would still be here protecting me if he had not been so sick and had to leave. Mojo was preceded over the rainbow bridge by his pack sister Bella Rae, and I am sure she met him, and they are once again reunited and playing. He was able to enjoy over six months with his new little pack sister MiraBella and loved his new friend Deja the standard poodle whom he had been close with for almost two years. I would joke with him and tell him Mojo you have come a long way from walking the streets to dating a classy standard poodle! When Deja visited, he would lay on the floor on her side of the bed just to be close to her when they slept. They spent days napping on the bed, lounging on the couch enjoying treats and then wolfing it up on the fence line as a team against the neighbors’ dogs. Mr. Deuce Bentley is the last one left of their original pack, and he misses Mojo terribly. The house and my heart are empty because he filled them with love. 

Despite his illness, Mojo's spirit remained strong until the end. He became suddenly ill due to hemangiosarcoma (cancer/internal bleeding/tumors) and passed away during exploratory surgery. 

Chief Mojo Risen you are off duty! Run and play with Bella Rae and rest peacefully knowing you were and will always be deeply loved. I love you and look forward to seeing you and Bella again. Rest easy mommas’ boy, my handsome fella.