Tainan's Unofficial District Chief, "Ah Fei," Passed Away at 20; Friends Mourn and Wish Him Well on the Rainbow Bridge

Tainan Gueiren's "Underground Borough Chief," Pistachio, has passed away. This nearly 20-year-old mixed-breed male dog, with his perpetually smiling face, happily interacted with everyone and always had plenty to eat. An elderly person joked that if he could run for borough chief, he would win regardless of his opponent. Many locals, upon hearing the news, posted on Facebook to mourn this good friend who healed everyone's hearts.

It's said that this dog appeared during former President Chen Shui-bian's term. He had many names; some called him "A-Han" (silly) or "Fool" because he always seemed to be smiling foolishly at you. Others said he looked like a cow, calling him "A-Niu" (Cow). Because he loved to eat and was always fat, he was also called "A-Pang" (Fatty). Some even said he resembled the late entertainer "Tsai-Tou" because he loved to joke around. Other dogs were also happy to see him, giving him this stage name. He often frequented Gueiren Junior High School, the Renshou Temple, the night market, and the Gueiren traffic circle area.

Many people were in disbelief today upon hearing the news of his passing. Someone said they would see him waiting at the corner of the traditional Chinese medicine center every morning after getting off work, waiting for his loving caretaker to feed him. They hadn't seen him this week, and it turns out he had gone to become an angel. People inquired about the funeral arrangements, and his longtime "unofficial friend" said they were helping to take care of it. Everyone believes he was truly blessed and wished him well on his journey.

Someone who saw him at the night market every Wednesday said that he used to be inseparable from a white dog. Many students called them "Fool and Whitey" because they often played happily on campus, always wagging their tails and happily interacting and taking photos with people.

Gueiren Junior High School alumni said that wherever there was good food, there was Fool Fatty. He and Whitey were the most beloved school dogs of Gueiren Junior High School students. They wished Fool and Whitey a peaceful reunion in heaven. Nearby residents said that Tsai-Tou lived a life filled with the love of the Gueiren community and was very happy. "He's going to play with A-Hua on the Rainbow Bridge! Don't be sad, everyone."

Recently, his caretaker said that before returning to Taipei, she went to feed him, but he wouldn't eat and kept nuzzling her with his head, wanting her to touch his head. He was probably saying goodbye to his caretaker! Many people are still very sad. Someone said they had just met him on the road a few days ago and said hello. Someone else said they saw him at the night market last week. In the past, he and Whitey were often seen together. They were "Gueiren-certified friendly doggos."

A Gueiren Junior High School alumnus recalled that Fool was very thin when they first saw him in the second year of junior high school. At that time, Whitey and Fool often accompanied them on their walk to school. "There's a black mark on the wall of Xiangjiang Building where Fool rubbed against it." They even saw Fool enjoying the air conditioning when buying clothes at the shopping center next to the Gueiren traffic circle.

A vendor doing business next to the temple said, "He was my favorite Niu-Niu. In the future, when I sell banquet dishes at Renshou Temple, I won't be able to treat you to braised pork belly. Let me touch you..." Another store owner also left a message on the local social media to mourn, "A-Fei (Fatty), thank you for silently protecting my store. Although it's been a while, you're old, and we're getting old too. I really hope you enjoy yourself in another world."

May Pistachio rest in peace.