Issue Four Summer 2020

litely on leash, followed by upping the stakes in more
challenging Community and Urban settings. Geneva,
9 years old, also earned this title.
Geneva is a sweet soul whose primary “job” is to watch
over the kitchen. She’s not much of a worker but makes
up for it with her gentle demeanor and “go anywhere”
skills. She is enjoying retirement, bird watching and
beach walks in Nahant. Chiba earned another fairly
unique title for dogs. She’s a true athlete. She was the
#2 fastest Swissy in the country for most of 2019, in
a 100 yard dash for dogs, called “FastCat”. Dogs are
timed as they run a track. The dogs earn points and
speed records. If there is running involved, she’s in.
Many Nahanters may know our dogs most by their
drafting/carting skills. Chiba pulls Basel in a red
American Flyer style wagon, as well as hauls leaf bags
to the compost. This summer, we look forward to her
bringing beach chairs and a picnic basket to doggie
beach. Chiba learned to draft from the best! Basel began
as a draft dog pulling a two-wheel cart full of puppies
(Geneva and litter mates)) at dog shows for fun.
As with many big dogs, Basel’s arthritis, makes it tough
for him to get around like he used to.
Thankfully, he passed his drafting skills to Chiba. Chiba
learned by example watching Basel with his wagon
here in Nahant. Now she takes Basel all over town in
his red wagon. Rides to the beach or the park are like
cruising in a convertible. Both absolutely love it.
Next time you see Chiba providing Uber-style services
to her senior friends, Basel or Geneva, around town,
you’ll know how hard she worked to learn this skill and
how much it means to her companions to keep exploring
Nahant and its beauty & natural resources!
17 | Nahant Magazine