‘His spirit will be there’: Hilton Head Islanders mourn beloved canine mascot

The next time Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” plays at Hilton Head’s Coligny Hardware, long-time customers will notice a familiar canine chorus replaced with solemn silence.

The store’s furry, singing mascot since 2014, Maverick, died on Monday at age 9.

Although the gentle giant that enamored island visitors and locals alike “got his wings” just after Christmas day, Coligny Hardware owner Beth Castelli said his impact on the shop and its customers will linger forver.

“He was just my best friend — a lot of peoples’ best friend,” Castelli said. “A lot of people really, really loved him. His spirit will be there for a long, long time.

Maverick’s social media following is a testament to his effective stint as Coligny Hardware’s “PR guy.” Just over 2,000 users follow his Instagram account, and thousands rejoiced on Facebook last month when the Great Pyreneese returned to work after battling an illness that kept him away from the store.

Sadly, even after Maverick recovered in November, Castelli said he struggled to walk like he had before. Maverick was diagnosed with IMPA, or immune-mediated polyarthritis, after that vet visit.

“I knew my time with him was limited, but I just didn’t expect it would be Monday,” Castelli said. “He became my whole world. ... I’ll have to figure out how to be me without him.”

After closing the shop on Monday, Castelli said Maverick stumbled while climbing into the car. He broke his humerus bone in the fall, and Castelli struggled to lift him into the car alone.

Thankfully, a passing couple was able to help her load Maverick into the vehicle.

“They were my little angels. I introduced myself, but I don’t remember their names. I don’t know what I would have done without them,” Castelli said.

When Maverick reached the vet, Castelli said testing revealed the bone had broken and wouldn’t heal properly because osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, was present. The only options were to amputate the leg or euthanize.

“He’s not walking very well anyway. ... I asked if they could cast it just to have a little more time with him, without being in pain or anything, and they couldn’t because the diseased bone doesn’t heal,” Castelli said.

That night, the vet staff allowed Castelli to spend “as much time as (she) wanted” with Maverick before he passed. He spent his final minutes doing one of the things he loved most.

“Before he got his wings, I played one of his songs so he could sing for me. So he sang one last time and that was really special,” Castelli said. “I know he’s happy now, running around with his waggy tail and singing hymns.”

Castelli said Maverick, as an ambassador for Coligny Hardware and all pets, was the perfect companion and teacher — something everyone needs in their lives.

“I really believe whether large or small, whether canine or feline, I think every child should have the opportunity to love a pet, because they teach you so much,” Castelli said, ”and in our world we need our kids to learn as much as they can.”

Last month, an island visitor opened a GoFundMe to help Castelli cover Maverick’s medical bills, and Castelli said it is still open. Castelli is also encouraging donations to White Dog Trading Company, founded after the death of Mavericks’ predcessor, Jake. All proceeds will go to cancer research in pets, Castelli said.

“Everybody loved him, and they (still) will. He’s not gone; he’s right there in our hearts.”