Hi, Pet Buddies! Did you have a puppyhood hero? I did! Lassie! Wow, that pooch could do anything, and look good doing it!
So I was extra eager to meet Koda Godwin, a sable, AKC-registered Rough Collie. At the door, I was actually a little nervous. When Koda’s human mom, Denielle, opened the door, there he was, one majorly impressive dog. Long, flowing coat, a mane like a lion, big face, long nose. Just like Lassie. Fortunately, he was confident and outgoing, because I was standing there, staring like a doof.
“Hey, Bonzo,” he said pleasantly. I snapped out of my stare for the wag-and-sniff. “I’m very happy to finally meet you! I’m a fan of your work. Dogs deserve positive recognition. Good job!”
“Wow,” I thought. “He’s excited to meet ME.”
“Thanks,” I managed. He led the way into the living room. “I can’t wait to hear your story.”
“Actually, I was a rescue – the product of a broken home.”
“No woof! I never would’ve thought!”
“Yep,” he said. “I had four homes before my Forever Mom found me. I think people just didn’t realize all the work it takes to care for a big dog. My sisters and brother and I were born in Phoenix. Our dad, Lance, and our mom, Phoenix Rising, were big stuff at the kennel. We were going for, like, $3,000 per pup. My Kennel name was Titan. But our breeder got a divorce. So I ended up on Craig’s List.”
“Whoa!” I said.
“I KNOW! It was pretty crazy for a while but now I’ve got The Best family, Mom and Dad (Mitch), human sibs Spencer, 14, Hallie, 16, and Gabbie (she’s in college). And a Goldendoodle big sister, Maddie. I run every morning with my dad when he rides his bike. And I love to run beside Spencer when he’s on his skateboard. That’s a blast. And all my human sibs play guitar and sing. They’re really good, and I hang out and listen. I don’t sing but I do this cool thing. It’s how I got my new name.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, see, it’s this big sorta growly roar thing. Mom says it sounds like a Kodiak bear. I’ll show you.”
Right on cue, his mom said, “gimme a bear!”
All of a sudden he opened his mouth really wide and stretched out his big head and he gave this huge roar. Well, I jumped about three feet. He looked and sounded just like those scary bears on the Animal Channel that’ll eat your face off. It startled the dog biscuits out of me, no woof!
“Whoa, dude!” I said. He and his mom just laughed. “Anyway,” he explained, “they named me Koda for Kodiak, get it?”
“Yeah, I sure do,” I said, waiting for my heart to stop pounding. “That was amazing!”
“You know Collies are a very ancient breed, right? We weren’t fancy at all, just hardworking dogs, sheepherders, in the Scottish Highlands. Collie was probably from “coaly,” cuz the sheep all had black faces. Then Queen Victoria visited Scotland and fell in love with us, so we started hanging out with royalty. But we’re not snobby; we’re just herders at heart, and we love our humans better than anything. Sometimes I like to herd Spencer or Maddie,” he said, grinning. “Too fun! And Maddie does sorta look like a sheep. I also enjoy chasing birds. But Mom says I’m very good at being a couch potato.”
“What’s your daily routine?” I inquired.
“I get dry food once a day. NO table scraps! I get treats after my walks and an appetizer before dinner, but no grain, only protein. I do love to chew ice cubes. My mom brushes me every week – my coat’s really long and thick. And I get a bath about once a month in the outdoor shower, but I don’t like it at all. I don’t like WATER at all. I had this horrible experience as a pup.”
I leaned forward.
“It was when we lived in Utah. Our pool was frozen, and I was walking on it when the ice broke and I fell though. I totally panicked. I couldn’t get out. My whole puppyhood passed before my eyes. I knew I was a goner. But Maddie saved me. She barked and ran and got mom. They pulled me out and wrapped me in warm blankets. I still don’t like water.
“But you know, Bonzo, I firmly believe my most important job is to protect my family. I never go to bed until I know my brother and sisters are tucked in their beds. When I know they’re all safe and sound, I go up to my room.”
“Well, I’m sure no one would even think about hurting your family if you do that Bear thing,” I said.
“Good point, Bonzo. I may be good-natured, but I’m not gonna back down. You better believe I can stand up to a bully if I need to.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second,” I said sincerely. “It has been a real pleasure, Koda.”
“Likewise,” he said. “Come back any time.”
As I was leaving, I saw him in his front yard, prancing around like a show horse. Just like Lassie.
