REST IN PEACE, CHASER

Dr. John Pilley and Chaser during their many happy times together.

One of the most famous animals from the Carolinas has died.

Chaser, a border collie known as “The Smartest Dog in the World,” died peacefully of natural causes on July 23 at the home of the Pilley family in Spartanburg, S.C.

As a puppy, Chaser was given as a gift to Dr. John Pilley, a retired Wofford College psychology professor, by his wife in 2004. Dr. Pilley taught Chaser a remarkable number of commands and to identify and retrieve more than 1,000 toys - each with a different name.

Chaser rose to worldwide fame with numerous articles and television features including an interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson for PBS’ Nova.

Here’s the famous video:

Dr. Pilley died last year at 89 with Chaser by his side. Chaser’s Facebook page has a moving description of their last days together written by Dr. Pilley’s son.