Friday, December 19, 2008
Husky Snowfall
We started our morning with school being closed, so Kodi and I took advantage of the early morning and lack of traffic and went for our walk before the snow started to fall.
We played in the yard a bit before coming inside. Once inside, I did a little housework and parked my power chair to charge it.
My son came out and told me it was snowing and I was shocked to see that the grass was already covered.
When Kodi let me know he needed to go outside, I bundled up and went out to shovel a path around the deck, down the ramp into the yard. He was a bit hesitant at first, but when we got to the bottom of the ramp, he sat down, tail wagging and let me put him on his 'tie-out cable'. When I let go, off he went like a shot.
He ran all over the yard, bouncing, jumping, shoveling the snow with his nose. We stayed outside for about a half hour while he played, as the snow fell hard.
Once back inside, it was hard to occupy Kodi's mind. He kept looking at the door, restless. When he began to whimper, I bundled back up and out we went to shovel once again. He played in the yard again, tossing his tuggy around, jumping on it, eating snow.
We went back out again to shovel and play in the yard. I tried to shovel the front sidewalk, but was gasping for breath, winter asthma stealing the air from my lungs as I slowly maneuvered the steps one at a time, using the shovel as a support.
Inside, my son took my coat and hung it up for me as I collapsed into my recliner. Kodi heard me breathing hard, wheezing and came right to me, standing up with his paws on my shoulders, forcing me back into the chair as he licked my face, ears, eyes, chin and mouth, nibbling on my nose. He rubbed the side of his face against my cheek as he licked my ear.
We later, went back out again to shovel and play in the yard right before my husband was due home from work. When he pulled into the driveway Kodi ran to the truck, jumping in the snow.
They played, chasing one another around the yard, Kodi dodging my husband's snow balls, grabbing his gloves and tugging on them.
It's pretty clear we're going to have trouble keeping him inside this winter.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Rushed to the Hospital
I called Kodi over and gave him the 'paws up' command. He put both feet on my lap and it was obvious, the toenail on his left front dew claw was injured. There was a lot of blood and the toenail was sticking straight out of the side of his foot.
He hadn't yelped or limped or shown any sign of injury, but there it was. Apparently he got it caught either on his airline cable, in the yard or on my husband's jacket when they were rough housing.
We took him in the house, got our ID and everything we needed to rush him to the Veterinary Hospital.
When we got there, they said dew claw toenail injuries are common and happen often. They took him in the back and brought him back a few minutes later. He had a light blue bandage on his left front foot and they informed me he had partially torn his toenail off. They removed it and wrapped it to keep it clean. They prescribed antibiotics.
My sweet puppy wanted a lot of attention and cuddling when we got home. Walking out to the yard to go 'potty' he wouldn't walk more than a foot in front of me and kept stopping and turning back to make sure I was coming. I had to go out into the yard with him to get him to go 'potty'.
Later, in the evening, he got up on the recliner with me, laying his body on top of mine, resting his wrapped paw in my hand and his head on my shoulder and chest. He proceeded to slip peacefully into a deep sleep, where he stayed for some time.
We've taken a couple of walks, as the Vet indicated he could still go for walks and we shouldn't restrict his activity. He's limping a bit, but seems more uncomfortable than in pain.
We are staying close together, aware of where each other is, how we are feeling and what one another needs. He's so much more than 'just a pet'.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Those Darn Squirrels!
I find myself looking up into the branches of the trees around us where I've seen a variety of critters, mostly squirrels and birds.
When we're walking and I see him looking up, I'll stop, so he can investigate and I find myself looking up with him, trying to see what he's seeing, trying to see it through his eyes.
He has the same love for Butterflies that Echo had, though he has no interest in caterpillars, which fascinated her. She was interested in squirrels but not in chasing them, mostly watching them, but Kodi wants to chase them and get close to them. He is fascinated by birds flying over head.
This tree he's standing against is an old tree, that hangs down over the sidewalk, like a canopy. It is in the block before our house, so we walk under it often. There are squirrels that seem to almost tease him, staying close to or on the ground, until he's near, then shooting up into the tree, just out of reach as he nears.
Every walk with Kodi is a wonderment, a relaxing venture into appreciation of nature, taking the time to see, hear and smell the world around me.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Leaves Crunching Under Husky Paws
Sunday, September 14, 2008
He Never Ceases To Amaze Me
Monday, September 1, 2008
Assistance Dog Training
I've read where an owner trained their assistance dog to unload grocery bags. That might be something I teach Kodi later on, as they usually end up on the floor when brought into the house because I don't have enough strength when sitting in the chair to lift them onto the counter and I can't lean out of my chair far enough to reach them safely.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Kodi Talking & Sylvester Having the Last Word
Kodi had something important to say...
Sylvester had the last word!
There's never a dull moment in our home, thanks to our furry friends. The cats loved and got along so well with Echo, they aren't sure how to handle Kodi, as he's such a puppy still. He's loud, clumsy, energetic and loves to tease and chase.
I sometimes think we live in a three ring circus!
Walking With Kodi
He's a strong and energetic dog, as you can imagine from the picture. Still being a puppy, he's encountering new things all the time.
He was born in December, so he's never seen Autumn leaves, Canadian Geese flying overhead, fuzzy caterpillers or so many squirrels playing and storing their acorns for the winter.
He's often frightened by new things we encounter, such as little children (my son is 17) who are loud and quick, skateboards or bicycles. Even strangers approaching us on the street can make him anxious.
Yesterday morning we had to pass some 'orange barrels' along the roadside. He was terrified of them, until we walked close enough and stopped, so he could give them a hearty 'sniff' and check them out. At times he's frightened and at other times he seems to be trying to protect me.
Our walks have been a bit harrowing, as we have been charged by a young pit bull, an adult german shepherd and an adult german shepherd mix. There are far too many dogs left unattended and off leash in our neighborhood.
Kodi has some neighborhood friends too, a Siberian Husky named Dodger who came over for a play date, a Siberian Husky named Jarrett and an Alaskan Malamute named Phason whom we visit when we walk. Our neighbor has a Lemon Beagle named Maggie whom Kodi has a bit of a crush on.
Maggie's brother Jack lived with her until a couple of months ago, when he jumped against and knocked down the new baby. He was quickly whisked off to live with another of their litter mates at a friend's house, leaving Maggie alone in the yard.She often sits outside crying at the back door which inspires Kodi to howl for her and to cry with her, while keeping a watchful eye on her.
Tonight, we went for our walk around 7:30 and it was dark before we got home. That was a new experience for Kodi, walking in the dark. He discovered everything looks different.
I'm looking forward to walks through fall leaves, the sights, smells and sounds of Autumn, as they will all be new to Kodi. I am grateful for the chance to see our world anew, through the eyes of my Husky companion, the wonderment and joy he demonstrates is a joy to share.