Sometimes a Bear, Sometimes an Island

Kodiak* was our fifth and final foster dog. We began fostering dogs in the Fall of 2002, as we both liked dogs but did not know how well one (or two) would fit in our busy lives. Fostering seemed like a good way to "test drive" particular dogs and the reality of having dogs in our life, without a permanent commitment. And foster dogs get out of the shelters, become better socialized (to humans and, in our case, cats) and there is more room at the shelters for new homeless animals.

Rotor was our first. We fell in love with that Border Collie mixed mutt right away and adopted her once someone else showed interest in adopting OUR precious puppy. Then there was Zeke (a true gentleman of a Black Lab), Foster (a wild, ill-mannered but sweet Australian cattle dog), and Lady (a gorgeous Yellow Lab/Shepherd/Husky mix with one blue eye and huge bat ears and a keen over-interest in our cats.)

We noticed Rotor was becoming a bit of a melanCollie, each time she had to say goodbye to one of her brothers or sisters. The adoptions were hard on her, and, increasingly, on us.

So we went in search of Rotor's "forever" brother. We went to an adoption event at a ranch-like sprawling shelter not far from where we lived. Rotor played with several of the dogs, and really seemed to hit it off with a young, handsome, happy-go-lucky Yellow Lab. We paid the adoption fee and put him in the back of T's Jeep with Rotor, confident that we had found the "perfect" new dog.

However, as soon as T started driving, this new dog began trembling violently. All we knew about him was that he had been picked up by the police (which made us think his prior owners were off to jail and weren't very nice).

We named him Kodiak, because he's the reddish-gold color of a Kodiak bear.

Kody trembled and whined and paced and panted all the way home. We soon realized he was a new breed to us, the Yellow-Bellied Lab. He was afraid of brooms and any large object. At first, I feared he had been beaten with sticks. But then I realized he startled at cardboard boxes, paper bags, anything unexpected. He once refused to go outside because there was a new cardboard box right outside the door on its way to be recycled. The boy needs his routines.

If there is a thunder storm, wind, loud noises, Kody is under my legs or up on the bed, shaking and whimpering, his expressive brown eyes wide, his brow furrowed. Rotor, our fearless Wonder Dog, just sighs and shakes her head at him in pity.

But Kody has the sweetest heart. He possesses not an ounce of guile. His heart is on his coat; he fully expresses his feelings, from bounding with joy every time we return home, to the quivering anticipation of a treat, to, of course, the anxiety that still plagues him daily.

He prefers to be outdoors. He makes little dens for himself on our property. He returned to the land when we stayed at my parent's house last summer, eating acorns and we actually saw him delicately pluck blackberries off the brambles with his lips. Very sweet.

We have even discussed putting him on anti-anxiety medication. We gave him some homeopathic anti-anxiety drops (which did nothing). And we do have some mild sedatives we give him if he has to be in the car for very long.

But then, when we see him, running free, with the unleashed abandon of a drunken youth in love, we think he must be doing okay.

*aka Kody, Agent Kody Banks, Banksy, Bubbs, Bubby, Choady, Choadler

Comments

[Amethyst Rising]

Great story... There isn't really a shelter close to where I live, but all my dogs have been "rescued" dogs, strays, abused puppies... My current dog is 1/2 blue heeler, 1/2 german sheppard and 100% spoiled rotten...I often say that I get along better with animals than people, and it's really true...

[Todd Elliott]

Very cute, the trees in the background look like something out of Harry Potter. We have a cat like that, very wimpy.

[kat]

My dog Monty (the poster child for dog weight loss) has destroyed a few doors during because he is so scared of thunderstorms. He claws through them.

[David Thorough]

Sweet little Kody, and a Yellow~bellied Lab at that. Jayne, that's a funny and creative moniker. I am definitely going to look at Yellow Lab owners from now on and inquire, "Is he/she a yellow Lab... or a Yellow~bellied Lab?" and tell them about Kody. Does ear rubbing and jowl cuddling calm him down?

Your story reminds me of some friends who found an Australian Cattle Dog at a campsite. It was far from any town, and they couldn't find his owners anywhere in the camp. My friend picked up a stick to throw for him to chase... and he cowered. That did it. He was in their car and off to a better life. They named him Zak, and he never really got over being a little suspicious and testy, but he was a great dog. One of his favorite things to have done was to be wrapped up in a blanket and held like a baby.

Sounds like your dogs have a great life, and thanks for rescuing dogs.

[Shephard]

Very Sweet. I'd love to see a photo of his face and eyes (if the flash doesn't scare him, that is). A true puppy-who-never-grew up maybe.
My cat Goliver is afraid of men who wear boots. You can walk into the house and stomp around, nothing. But if you're wearing boots, he's sandwiched between the cupboard and the top fo the fridge in seconds flat.

~S :)

[caroline]

Lovely story, lovely pooch. Can we see Rotor, too?

[Hill]

Goodness - she's a dog lover too!!

I never hesitate to reveal the fact that my pets are the loves of my life. Husbands? Eh... Girlfriends? Er...they carry a bit of weight. But my DOG is THE man in my life. And my cat is he other one. Cannon knows this, too, and is coming to terms with it.

See you soon, Jayney!!! =)

[Jayne]

Amethyst: I'd love to see a picture!

Todd: Yes, I love those gnarled oaks. Our cats are pretty brave, compared to Kody.

Kat: Awwww, poor thing. : (

David: When he is in his Terror place, nothing calms him down, unfortunately. He is somewhere bad, far far away. He does like to hide under my legs and if I put a blanket over him he seems to feel safer. Hiding under mama's skirts, sigh.

Shephard: If you click on the picture it should enlarge and you can see his face pretty well. I have others, but will post them another day.

Caroline: Another post for another day! Need to build up a little interest, you know ; )

Hill: Oh, I'd love to see pics of the furry men in your life! See you in 3 days!

[Melissa]

Kody sounds as anxious as my Kippy. She trembles like a leaf every single time we step outside the apartment door. Poor things.

[AprilReigns]

Ahem... you forgot COCO. What a cute picture of Coco. Where is Roro? I had never seen a dog shake so much or weasle their way onto a lap so sneakily as the time when we watched Lord of the Rings.

I was disapointed that you did not mention that Coco was also eating spiders, stinkbugs and acorns -was it?

OOOOhhhhhhh Coco.

April