The Love of a Dawg!

Today I heard a noise, the dogs heard it and went running to the window barking. When I got there to see what the noise was, this is what I found. A squirrel clinging to the window screen. I grabbed my camera and got a couple of shots before the squirrel ran off. Was he asking to come in or did he want the boys to come out and play!

I think the squirrel is taunting them! Is the squirrel smiling?

I've had many dogs in the past, but I have to say so far Kodie is my favorite. Is it because I finally got the "Mama's Dog" I always wanted or because he is who he is?

Sad note...the last two dogs I have had are now in doggie heaven. They lived long and a good life. But, I can't seem not to be able to live without a dog. For they bring such joy and stress (occasionally) into life.

After Tyke, a Chow, went to heaven, we waited a while before getting another one. So then the day finally came and we were ready to find another dog, so off to the Humane Society we went. I guess there were about 20 dogs there and I would have brought them all home if I could. As I walked by each one, tears would well up into my eyes. I was heartbroken, not knowing why they were there and knowing I could only take one. It really irks me to know that some people can just dispose of a "family member" like that. If you don't want that kind of responsibility...you know the rest.

Then there was Kodie, with his crooked smile, gentle as a lamb disposition, but looked like he was mad. I guess he was, being in that cage and all. I looked and looked and couldn't make up my mind. At this point I didn't realize that Kodie was there, just for me. So we left, tears streaming down my cheeks, and went to another Humane Society location. Wow, does that sound crass? Well, it just so happen that they were closed (on Thursdays), so what else could we do? So we drove home.

My husband and I talked about the dogs we had seen that day. He had a couple he liked and I had mine. But I just couldn't get Kodie out of my mind. I told my husband that Kodie was the dog for us. He didn't disagree much, so we agreed to go back on Friday to go through with the adoption.

We got to visit with him before the adoption and one of the volunteers/workers mentioned that she was glad he was getting a home. Red flag! Maybe, blew that off until we heard another volunteer/worker mention...oh Kodie's getting adopted, that's great he's been here a while. Red flag! This time I looked at my husband and asked "What are we getting into?" And, of course, they're not going to tell you anything.

We had to wait for him to get a check-up, shots, etc. before we could actually take him home. It's right before New Years Day, so we had to wait until that next Tuesday.

Well all was well the first day. Kodie took to me like stink on poo-poo. Next day, work and I got home before my husband and Kodie had gotten into the garbage can and there was trash everywhere! And there's the getting on the furniture issue. So, I deduced that he has some type of separation anxiety disorder! But, this was after coming home and finding pieces of bread wrapper on the floor. We're like did he eat the whole loaf and wrapper? No, I found the other half a loaf shoved in between the couch cushions! But what can you do? If you don't catch them in the act...well, you know.

OK, so the trash goes out of reach and couch is anti-dog proofed before we leave the house for work! But now we have one of those trash cans with a pop-up lid, and we still cover the couch. I'm not complaining, Kodie is my dog. I love him dearly. Everywhere I go, he happily follows. Whatever his first year and a half of life was like is now in the past. He has a good home and life. He loves his "Mama."

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We were suppose to get Bruiser in October 2006, but things didn't work out and the litter was aborted. We didn't think we were going to get another Chow at this point. We both love Chows, we have had two others. That's how Kodie came about.

Well shortly after we adopted Kodie, we get the news that a new litter had been born. We're like, OK, I guess we can have two dogs again. So Bruiser came to us in March. A small, tiny black fur ball.

Kodie still being new to us is a very friendly dog, but we didn't know how he would react to another dog, much less a puppy, in the house. So the first couple of weeks, Bruiser was a bathroom child when we were at work! Then gradually they were allowed to stay together.

Well, Kodie took on the "parent/alpha dog" role and went on to teach Bruiser the facts of life! They played together, Bruiser learning quickly how to be a "big dog." Kodie is a hunter of everything outside that moves! Squirrels, birds, lizards, etc.

I feed the birds and squirrels, so it got to where we had to warn the wildlife that the indoor "wildlife" was coming out to play! We rattle the screen door as warning! Well, Bruiser being a puppy did whatever Kodie did. He "chased" everything. The butterflies, the bees, the lizards and yes even the birds and squirrels, of which he was way to slow to catch.

Sometimes if the squirrels don't heed the warning, I let Bruiser out first! The squirrels know the difference and know they can't be caught by him! I think I've actually seen them laughing at him! But he still loves to chase the lizards and bees. Good thing he's not allergic to bees! The bees are the only thing he actually has a chance to catch, he's gotten huge and even slower!

Bruiser is a big Chow, but without the aggressive nature of Chows. Oh, yes, he's protection, but he's not an unfriendly Chow. He gets that from his big brother! And he still hasn't kicked his brothers butt for all the times Kodie has messed with him.

Bruiser is the lovable, good little brother, while Kodie is the menace. It's a blast to watch them chase each other through the house fighting over their toys. They always want the toy the other has! Boys will be boys!

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Even though I donate some of my royalties through squidoo to the Humane Society, I'm adding this link to my donation badge to help my local chapter. Will you help, too? Thank you.

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Supported links:
Monarch Watch is dedicated to saving the Monarchs through tagging, monitoring and other conservation means. The Monarch Waystation Program was started for others to help the Monarchs every day and throughout their migration period. My yard is waystation 293 out of over 2,100 registered waystations.
Live Monarch Foundation raises thousands of butterflies and milkweed and offers free milkweed seeds to start your own conservation efforts to save the Monarch in your own backyard.
Michoacan Reforestation and Habitat Protection Fund helps the Monarch's winter habitat through reforestation of the land that has been devastated through development and construction.
Monarch Sanctuary provides financial and scientific support to preserve the natural balance and diversity of the oyamel fir forests that are the overwintering grounds for the Monarchs.
Monarch Butterfly Works toward conservation and offers a lot of great information on gardening tips, life cycle, biology and much more.
National Wildlife Federation A familiar foundation that really works to save all forms of wildlife worldwide.
UF Wildlife Ecology Their mission is to foster education, expand knowledge, and reward scholarships, using multi-disciplinary approaches, for the purpose of understanding, managing, and conserving biological resources.
Florida Wildlife Federation Affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation, their goals are to help the wildlife of Florida.
The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast - my local Humane Society Shelter.
Orphie G's Emporium Buy butterfly plants and seeds for your butterfly garden. This is my ebay store.

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Integrated Pest Management Information on how to control the pests in your lawn and garden, limiting the use of pesticides.
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