Standing at the Sink

August 3, 2026

I was sitting down outside having coffee this morning. It was a beautiful day in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Sundays are usually our day to take it a little easier, at least for a few hours in the morning. Our time to while the hours away while having coffee, reading, and enjoying our beautiful homestead in the mountains. And of course The Girls lay close by. Koda usually naps in the sun. Kloe is typically on alert with chin on the bottom of the deck railing looking across our property to the road below. In Kloe’s mind one never knows when a perpetrator (neighbor walking on the road) or intruder (squirrel, jack rabbit, or black tail deer) may present themselves. As the self-appointed protector of the Golden K, Kloe takes her job very seriously!

This Sunday morning, which is typical of me, I was not very good at whiling all the hours away and was only able to while the minutes away. 🤓 I decided it was time to begin my morning routine. As I opened the door to the kitchen to go back inside Koda hopped up and looked at me. I tell her I’ll be back soon to make breakfast (for me not her – she and Kloe have already eaten). Her eyes continue to fix on mine and I hold the door open for her and she follows me in.

I walked into the bathroom and as I stood at the sink I looked down at Koda lying down a few feet away, head on the ground, with relaxed breathing. I know she was there because I was. I was sitting outside – she was there. I came inside – she was there. At that moment I recalled the “early days” when she was so ~~out of control~~ challenging. We adopted Koda as a four month old pup. She was tenacious, ornery, and very vocal. She still is! She was excitable and suspicious. She still is. There was a point when Holly said that we needed to send her back to the rescue group. Holly was mostly serious but acquiesced saying that Koda needed to be with me as much as possible. So she was. In my mind there was never a chance we would send her back. We made a commitment to this puppy and we would hold up our end of the deal. Like they (used to) say when you get married: for better or worse. I know that down deep Holly felt the same way. About Koda and about me….😅

I remember a time in the early days of Koda I was commiserating with a fellow blogger who had a Rhodesian Ridgeback who consistently tested his patience and resolve. He told me that his pup had made him a better dog parent and person and that he had learned as much about himself as his pup. This was encouraging to me and I resolved to be more patient and understanding with Koda. I was. I resolved to work harder at understanding her motives and perspective. I did. I was hopeful that I too would learn to be a better dog parent and person. I did and I continue to grow on both counts.

So as I stood at the sink and looked down at Koda on just another Sunday morning recalled certain memorable events. Like the time she stole a hamburger bun off the dinner table on about day four of being with us. About a week later I came into the kitchen and found her on TOP of the table! It took me about a year to tell Holly about that one! I thought about Koda’s recall. She has the best recall of any of the Golden’s we’ve had. I can call her from any part of the property and she comes running directly to me and is at my service.

I thought about how Koda looked out for Kali as Kali got older and began slowing down and having issues with her legs. I thought specifically about the time we returned home from an outing and only Kloe was on the deck where The Girls usually hung out when we were gone. Where’s Kali? Where’s Koda we said to one another. Then Koda comes running up from another part of the property barking and doing the Timmy’s in the well kind of thing. (It’s a show from the fifties called Lassie. Look it up! 🙂) With her body language Koda asked us to follow her. We did and we found Kali stuck in a shallow hole unable to get up. Wow! Good thing we didn’t send Koda back right Holly!?

Koda is now older herself and at eight years is beginning to slow down. She’s getting a sugar face, sleeps more, and wait for it…. is calming down. Although a true and loyal member of the pack, she’s always been “my dog”. Like Kloe is “Holly’s dog”. Koda follows me from room to room sometimes looking at me as if to say, “Can we just stay her for a while?” The only time she chooses something over me is when her big Sissie Kloe (the aforementioned Protector Of The Golden K) sounds the alarm to announce trouble and calls for back ups. In that situation Koda will look at me and say, “I gotta go – Kloe needs me!”.

So as I stood there at the sink looking down at Koda I felt grateful for her and for our collective journey and I thought:

You have made me a better person Koda.

I’ve learned so much from you.

I always said I didn’t want you to change. Like people, our collective personalities traits makes us who we are and I’ve always liked who you are.

And through the years all you’ve ever asked of me is to be nearby – and I will. And to have you top of mind – I always do.

At your service dad!

Three years since Kali crossed the bridge

December 30, 2024

It’s been three years since Kali crossed the bridge.

It was the afternoon of January 1, 2022 when our vet and dear friend Tanya came to our home to administer to Kali and help us send her over the bridge with her angel wings. It was a very peaceful transition for Kali who was never in any pain as far as we could tell. But at about 12 or 13 years old her tank was empty, her legs were wobbly, her eyes were clouded, and at times she seemed confused. I will always treasure the memory of Kali laying down with her head in my hands as she took her last breath with Holly and Tanya sitting next to me and Kali on the carpeted floor.

As this third anniversary comes and goes, like every other day since, I will harken the imagery and fond memories I have of Kali. Her story has been told here in this blog since the day after she arrived from Taiwan – May 24, 2014.

The evolving tag line of this blog also chronicles major milestones in our life with Kali:

Originally the tagline was “Kali’s New Life in America”.
Then it became “Kali’s New Life In The Mountains” when we moved to the Sierra Nevada Foothills with Kali, and also with 9 week old Kloe.
When Kali crossed the bridge the tagline became, “Life At Th Golden K Without Kali”
And most recently it is “Life With The Red Girls“

From the moment we picked Kali up at SFO until the moment of her last breath Kali was easy going, did everything I asked of her, and was through mutual choice, always by my side. She was not destructive; she never chewed a shoe or furniture. She never had “accidents”, and always greeted visitors with a smile and wagging tail.

Besides being my ‘heart dog”, Kali was my friend. She was my confidant and knew my deepest secrets and fears. She calmed me with her presence and was always patient with me. Except at meal time! With Kali, all bets were off when it came to meal time. Meal time was her favorite time of the day, every day until the day she passed. Meal time was not negotiable with Kali. She fired laser beams from her eyes to my heart when meals weren’t prepared on time; or at the time she felt was THE time. When it came to food Kali did not have a sense of humor. “Feed me, feed me, feed me” she would chant until the bowl full of delicious was place under her nose.

The mythical Rainbow Bridge has various origins. One of the more popular origins is the “The Rainbow Bridge Poem” by an unknown author. I’ve always appreciated the concept and imagery of a place where pets go after they die. A place where they are restored to good health and run and play in the sun while they wait for us, their beloved pet parents, to join them. The last two paragraphs of that poem bring me peace when I think of my Golden Kali.

[The pets] “all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Golden Kali lounging in her domain and name sake, The Golden K

Bedtime Preparation

August 27, 2023

Being creatures of habit The Red Girls and I have many rituals and routines. Morning, mid-day, dinner time and bedtime. There are steps, dialogue and processes carried out in much the same way each time. One of those is bedtime preparation.

Bedtime preparation includes letting the girls outside to pee. There is more to this than just the action of peeing… Kloe is usually first out. As soon as she hears the door open she’s on her feet heading out for her nightly patrol of the property in order to”secure the perimeter”. Kloe is the protector of the Golden K and Koda, Holly, and I are lucky enough to be part of her pack. Some nights I have to go back out and look for her usually finding her perched high on the deck performing sentry duties. She’ll reluctantly follow me back in even though she’d prefer to stay on duty.

Koda usually needs some “encouragement” to go out. Typically she’s fast asleep with no interest in peeing or doing anything other than to stay where’s she’s at to slumber the night away. I call to her, “C’mon Koda, get busy!” Get busy is our term for “go pee”. “Come on, Koda. Time for bed. Get up. Go out and get busy”. Usually nothing changes. I try another tact, “Your sissy is outside patrolling. She may need some back up if she finds any intruders”. Koda asleep with thought bubble over her head: “Zzzzzz”. I walk to her and nudge her with my foot. She immediately rolls on her back in a prone position with all legs in the air. I stick my foot under her back; she pretends not to notice. Finally, she will pop up and comply. I’m not a fan of this part of the bedtime prep! And Koda is probably not either.

The girls eventually arrive back at one of the doors and ask to come in (unless I have to go get Kloe). They then retire to their mats set out next to our bed, or if hot, a cool spot on the laminate floor.

As they come in, and in an effort to discourage any lallygagging, I proclaim, “First come first serve. Sometimes just to mess with them I’ll say, “Last come last serve.” My humor is usually lost on them…

Cuddle Time

First come first serve refers to the first one on their mat gets to cuddle with me first. Cuddling usually involves me down on the floor next to them. I’ll pet them softly, hug them with my whole body, and whisper secrets and sweet nothing in their ears. Kloe, wide eyed, stares deeply into my eyes sometimes emitting small grunts to tell me she loves me too. Koda’s squirms a bit and tries to lick my face. In both cases both of them are usually content and glad to be left alone to go to sleep.

In her later years Kali would typically lay in the middle of the room, whether hot or cold, with plenty of space around her.

So now get ready for full disclosure….. Kali and I would spoon.

Me on the outside with her back pushed up against my chest. My arms and sometimes a leg would complete the spooning position and we’d lay there. I warned you – full disclosure! :). Sometimes we’d lay there quietly just breathing, usually in unison. Other times we talked softly to one another. Kali was a great listener! Occasionally I would fall asleep and wake up minutes later or longer, with a smile as I headed to my own bed.

Thinking of this the other day it hit me!

When I lay and cuddle with Kloe and Koda it’s for them. I’m protecting them, my babies. Of course I take great pleasure out of this 1:1 time, but my intentions are for them. To make them feel loved, safe, and protected. With Kali, our cuddle time was for me! Cuddling and spooning with Kali made me feel safe. It made me feel secure. My entire body would relax. If there was any stress in my day it would all seem to dissipate at once. Although I know Kali enjoyed our special time together I now realize that it was her giving to me. Not the other way around. What a gift! Who rescued who, right?

Even though Kali’s been gone for over a year and a half I continue to learn from her. I know our relationship before she crossed the bridge and now is not unique. But, my Golden Kali was about the most special gift one could ever hope for!

Kali in her later years

Nature versus Nurture

March 25, 2018

Its that nature versus nurture discussion. Is Kali who she is because of her genes or past experiences?

Her Loyal Highness

February 5, 2017

We arrived at the airport’s international terminal for arriving fights and waited to meet Kali who traveled with 23 other rescued Golden Retrievers from Taiwan to SFO. The crates were wheeled into the terminal and the adopting families found their pup, wheeled the crate outside to the designated parking area to take them out of their crates, greet them, and take them to their Forever Homes.

It was almost three years ago when I stood in the evening air of that parking lot and opened the crate and we welcomed Kali into our lives. It was a fourteen hour flight so she needed to pee real bad. I hooked her leash on to her collar. She she pulled me a few feet, squatted, peed, and everything that has happened since is documented in the archives of this Golden Kali blog site.

It was remarkable how quickly Kali assimilated to her new life. We bonded instantly and for the first few days she was constantly by my side day and night and for the most part has stayed there ever since that night.

A lot has happened since then. The tag line of this blog post changed earlier this year from Kali’s new life in America to Kali’s new life in the mountains. The biggest events have been our relocation from the SF Bay Area to the Sierra Nevada Foothills and we adopted nine-week old Kloe in May, two weeks before we moved. So a lot has changed for my Golden Kali and she has been there by my side, never complaining, always loving with unwavering loyalty.

Yesterday was the rare day that we would leave Kali and Kloe for the day. We would be gone to long to leave them home by themselves so we arranged to have them stay with Marty and Jen, our close friends who live nearby and who also have two dogs who are playmates with Kali and Kloe. We arrived at Marty and Jen’s around 8:30, drove into the property and the gate closed behind us. Kali and Kloe eagerly jumped out of the back of the Outback and began sniffing and running. Kali mostly sniffing and Kloe mostly running; Tazing actually in anticipation of a full day of play with her her buddy Jaynee, our friend’s three year old Queensland Shepard mix. We chatted briefly but needed to get on the road. I gave the girls a kiss and we began to drive off.

I’ve never observed any separation anxiety in Kali. We’ve been fortunate that I work mostly from home and Holly has worked off and on part time so there is almost always someone home. But there have been many times that we have left Kali, and now Kali and Kloe alone for a four or five hour stretch. Although they’re both very happy to see us arrive back home there is never any signs of distress or evidence of acting out in the house or the yard.

Holly tells me that when I leave the house for whatever reason Kali will lie down next to the door I left through. She’ll stay there for a long time (presumably waiting for my return) until finally moving to her bed or onto some other area of the house or yard. So there is clearly still that bond and desire from Kali to be next to me if she has the choice. Truth be told it’s the same for me with for her… So yesterday as Holly and I got in the car I told Kali to stay and she watched us drive down the gravel path towards the gate. She stayed back where I left her as I punched in the key code and the gate slowly opened. I looked back through the rear view mirror and Kali’s body language told me she realized I was leaving. She began trotting towards the car as we headed out the gate.

Kali looked beautiful and regal trotting after me. She was earnest and determined.

The gate is on a timer and I realized it wouldn’t have closed in time to keep Kali inside so I stopped the car and got out. I placed her a few feet back from the gate and again told her to stay. She knew what I wanted, and she really really tried to stay, but as I walked back to the car she followed. I started walking back up to the house. “Come on Kali” I called. “Let’s Go”. Kali eagerly followed me back to the front porch where Marty was holding onto Kloe. The irony here s that Kloe was not inclined to follow the car because a full day of Tazing with Jaynee is way better than just about anything else. Kali was the one who needed be held in order stay back. Marty grabbed her collar and she reluctantly watched as I jogged back to the car, open the gate, and drive off.

Kali has spent the day at Marty and Jen’s before. Both her and Kloe have stayed overnight there. So I know she is fine and I know she doesn’t have any anxiety. She just wants to be with me. It’s a very special bond we’ve had since that evening almost three years ago that I opened her crate at SFO brought Her Loyal Highness Kali home and into my life.

HER LOYAL HIGHNESS, GOLDEN KALI