September 2018 – Golden Kali

Why this yearning for dogs?… Maybe it’s the endless feed of Golden Retriever puppy pictures served up in a Facebook group I belong to. Or perhaps it’s because of an Instagram account I follow that posts nothing but Golden Retriever puppy pictures. Or maybe, and most likely, it’s a life force that pulses through my body physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Something in me that guides me and defines me all at the same time. I joke that if I have the chance to hang out with people or dogs I choose dogs. I guess its not completely a joke. I gravitate towards dogs over people if there is a pup anywhere I am. I consider myself to be a very social person so it’s not that I shy away from people. I enjoy people. It’s just that if there is a dog around it usually commands my attention. If there is more than one dog more of my attention (and joy).

So I guess it was inevitable that we would eventually add a third dog to our pack. This morning I picked up “Koda” from True Love Rescue (TLR). TLR is a wonderful rescue group in Northern California. It’s the same group that brought us Kali and Kloe. And yeah, it’s a “K” thing with the girl’s names and we call our mountain home The Golden K where it’s mostly about the pups.

As with many things in our life Holly and I don’t hesitate once we’re ready to do something; buy a car, buy a house, move from the Bay Area to the mountains, and adopt another pup. It was just four days ago that we decided the time was right, especially when we learned that there were two pups remaining from a rescued litter. We called the organizer, told her we wanted to adopt “purple” (the color of the pup’s collar in the picture) and here we four days later with our new pup Koda. The big girls, Kali and Kloe, were very welcoming and there was no drama when I introduced them to Koda. Kali was mostly indifferent but polite and accepting. Kloe, as she is with most new dogs she meets of any age or size, immediately engaged with Koda, with puppy poses, and sniffs of all the usual body parts. Kloe followed Koda around as she explored her new surroundings and ultimately they engaged in some light play. Kloe restrained herself appropriately and was instinctively aware of the 60 pound size difference between her and Koda. I was proud of the the big girls and I know they’ll both be great role models and teachers for Koda in the weeks, months, and years to come.

So yes, number three was inevitable. I can only ignore the aforementioned life force and pulse in me for so long. As I end the post I reflect on some of the things I know about dogs in general and especially my girls. They can lower my blood pressure simply by being nearby. They can calm me after a difficult day or negative experience. They can lick my tears away when I cry, and make me laugh when I’m sad. Sure they can try my patience at times but their patience with me is unlimited. And the unconditional love they have for me is humbling and consistently challenges me to be a better person.

I look down and see that all three are now all asleep at my feet. And for this moment in time I am harmonized with the world, The Golden K, and my girls.

KODA

“Purple”

Day 1 at The Golden K

Kiss face with Kloe

Ready for the ride home to The Golden K

It’s always great fun when Smokey visits. Smokey is my daughter’s seven year old Morkie: half Maltese and half Yorkshire Terrier. He weighs 11 pounds.

Smokey met Kloe the first time after we moved to the mountains. Kloe was just a few months old but already four or five times the size of Smokey. Upon introduction Kloe became instantly enamored with Smokey. With puppy-pose in full force Kloe invited Smokey to run, play, wrestle and good old fashioned tug-o-war. Smokey played it cool, gave Kloe a sniff, and sauntered over to some bushes to leave some pee-mail.

Throughout that weekend Kloe would follow Smokey wherever he went. Kloe would initiate play, Smokey would give her some sniffs and a lick on the face, and then move along his way. When Smokey would jump on the couch to settle in for a nap Kloe would lay on the floor and stare at him. When Smokey went outside to do his business Kloe would follow in his tracks. Occasionally Smokey grew weary of Kloe’s attention and gave a snarl telling Kloe to back off. Kloe respected that and gave him his space. It was good that Smokey, this little miniature Ewok, established some ground rules for Kloe who is always eager and totally unaware of the size difference.

Fast forward a couple of years and things haven’t changed much. Kloe remains enamored with Smokey who is still just 11 pounds and still holds his own navigating in and around Kloe’s 80 pounds of energy and constant motion. Upon arriving for a visit the two of them greet one another with enthusiasm, some “kissy face” and both seem to enjoy the familiarity with one another

The Story of a man who had never seen a dog

A man had never seen a dog before arrived at our house a couple of weekends ago when Smokey was up for a visit This man thought Kloe and Smokey were two different species. The man said, “which one is the dog? And if one is a dog what is that other creature?” When I told him they were both dogs the man responded, “That can’t be true! One is barely 10 pounds, not much bigger than a squirrel, and looks like a fur ball in the wind. The other is 10 times that size, looks like a pony, and runs swiftly like a gazelle. No this can’t be so. They cannot both be dogs.” The man was puzzled and interested in understanding how these two creatures could both be dogs.

I explained how dogs come in many different sizes, have varied physical attributes, and come from many different walks of life. I told him that dogs have a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and qualities. I explained that although some dogs have been bred for specific purposes like hunting, or herding, or mousing they are all still dogs. I went on to say that in spite of these different qualities and experiences, and having come from all around the world, they are still all just dogs. Dogs who recognize each other as dogs. Not as a different breed. Not as a lesser or more superior beast. But as equals with a set of universal codes of communication, respect, and an natural ability to get along and co-exist in peace.

The man seemed less puzzled now and began to understand what I was saying. The man said, “So what you’ve told me is a lesson for dogs?”.

I said no, “What I told you is a lesson for men”.

*****