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| One day, a few short weeks ago, we were visiting our favorite shelter just to thank the staff for their daily efforts on the behalf of abandoned animals. A man came into the lobby trailing a dog who obviously was having some difficulty keeping up. The dog sank to the floor alongside of us and sighed deeply. If there ever was a creature who seemed to have lost all hope, this was one. |
| We listened as the man made the surrender arrangements, and heard the words, "too old", "no time" and "too busy". We asked the dog's name and age and the man replied "Kody, he's twelve". Even when advised by the kind young lady at the counter that there was little hope that the senior would be adopted, the man handed over the surrender fee, shook his head and quickly left. |
| We noticed that he avoided eye-contact with either us or the dog and never even reached down to pat the old dog's head when he departed. That all-too familiar lump appeared in our throat when the old dog turned his head to watch the man leave and tried to get to his feet and follow. For a few moments there was silence while the old dog struggled and we all glanced at each other in recognition of a scenario played out thousands of times daily in shelters across this country. |
| And then we did what any good Rescue does. We retrieved our canine body sling and helped the dignified old dog to his feet and signed the papers to take him with us. Because every living creature deserves the dignity of passing peacefully amongst friends, we decided that Kody would walk on some grass, see a sunset and smell some flowers and trees before he made his journey to Rainbow Bridge. |
Guess who has become an honorary
Husky since, folks?
And guess who walks proudly and
steadily alongside a Sibe companion
on his daily walks?
Who says that you can't put new
bounce in an old dog's step?
Husky since, folks?
And guess who walks proudly and
steadily alongside a Sibe companion
on his daily walks?
Who says that you can't put new
bounce in an old dog's step?
| Thank you APF for trusting us to care for him and thank you Kody for teaching us humility. |
| Tundra Spirits Siberian Husky Rescue |
| SAMA Senior Animal Medical Aid Fund |
| Kody last day here on earth was April 27th, 2009. I was told the day before that it would be Kody's last day. His body was giving out and he could barely walk. He needed to use the body sling in order to walk. I went to see him, Sunday, April 26th. I decided to have a Kody picnic. We were told he would not make it to the spring. Being he had, I wanted him to have one long day outside in the sun and the fresh air. It was a warm afternoon. I took a blanket and spread it out under the shade of a pine tree. I brought with me his favorite meal of sweet potatoes and Chicken and plenty of water. We spent the afternoon, there on that blanket, him and I. I combed him and petted him all afternoon. Daisy was there with us too. Twice she took her paw and tried to rouse him. She wanted him to get up. Usually we go for a walk together. Kody could not get up though. He did bark at me. It took a few barks to get his strength to bark, but bark he did. He ate his food with great relish, although not at great as usual, and was drinking well. Later I took him for a walk 3 times in the immediate area outside of his house. He did not want to go back to his bed. The third walk, I could see that he was tired, and I did take him back to his bed. I stay with him a long while a lay next to him on his bed stroking him. All day he kept giving me kisses and looking at me hard in the eye. When I got up to leave I let him know what a privilege it had been to know him and walk with him. I fed him a biscuit the way I always do before I leave and told him I would be back. For the first time ever, he did not bark when I left. He just looked at me long and hard in the eyes. I wish there was a way to make him whole and well again. I love Kody. He was an Alpha dog. He must have been a strong, fair and just leader in his day. You could tell how he was with each dog he ever met while I was present. Even sick, he held his head high and chest out. I miss him greatly!!! |
| My Last Day with Kody at our Picnic, April 26, 2009, Sunday, He was just 13 |
| A few other pictures from earlier times - We think he was a cross between a husky and a grey hound He was a wonderfully gentle dog, but with a very definite air of strength |
I love my Kody
| Kody, I MISS YOU!! |
