Life with Koda Monday, July 23, 2007
This is my dog Koda. I got Koda as a puppy not too long after my dog Pepper died. Pepper was one of those one-in-a-million dogs. She lived to please, she was good with kids (loved to play soccer with them), I could trust her off leash, and she made friends with whomever she met. Sure, she had her faults - the worst was her nasty habit of rolling in animal poop - but she couldn’t help herself. She was mostly border collie and it was her favorite perfume.
I’m close to being an empty nester. Did I really need another dog? Most people might say no. But who would walk with me? Who would make me feel safe walking in the woods. My kids would rather run. My husband would rather play tennis. My friends who like to walk are all very busy. They can’t always walk when I can. And I didn’t think our wild woods was a place I wanted to go by myself. I mean, there are coyote, bobcats, bear and moose in these woods. I have another dog, but he turns into Cujo dog when he sees another canine and he has a bum leg. He’s a great at-home dog. He loves people and he makes me feel safe knowing he’s guarding the house. But he had two strikes against him as a hiking companion.
So, I set out to do my research and find a dog with the traits Pepper had. I almost got a Shetland Sheepdog until I was told they bark a lot. So, I settled on an Australian Shepherd. I love the herding breeds, I guess. Aussies are like border collies. Not quite as smart, but almost, and supposedly less high-strung. I was told they were border collies with an “off” switch. I also heard them called “velcro” dogs, because they love to be by your side. Perfect!
So, here I am, one year later, with a dog that is nothing like Pepper. Where Pepper was naturally submissive, this dog is naturally dominant. Where Pepper would come when called, this dog comes if she feels like it. Where Pepper basically trained herself, this dog has been one huge training challenge. She talks back to me when I correct her. She tries to bite the leash and play when I try and walk her. I took her to puppy classes. Never intended to, but I needed help. I’ve tried choke collars, gentle leaders and a persuasive harness. She jumps on people (which at 57 pounds is not cute anymore), tries to herd them, and just gets too excited to control herself. The only thing that keeps me sane is the fact that I can see day-to-day improvement. It sure is slower than I’d like it to be, but I’ll take the hope that it inspires.
As challenging as this dog has been, though, I just love her to pieces. She has a huge personality and has turned out to be a true “velcro” dog. She loves to be with you wherever you are. She loves people, which will be wonderful once she settles into adulthood and leaves behind the frenetic energy that meeting (or re-meeting) a new person creates in her. She makes me see the woods a whole new way, noticing squirrels, toads that blend into their surroundings and the sights and sounds and smells that capture her attention. She bounds and plays while I walk and watch. Occasionally, she’ll calm down a bit and walk like a regular dog and I’ll get a chance to lose myself in my thoughts. The woods with Koda by my side are a place to explore and enjoy. Our walks are good for both of us. They help us both find calm.
So, ultimately, although I think I’ve discovered that an Australian Shepherd is maybe a little too energetic of a dog for this 47 year old version of me, Koda is ultimately good for me. She keeps me walking, she keeps me company, and she keeps me from taking life too seriously. She is sweet, loving, beautiful, and as her name means in Native American, she is my friend.