K O D A H
2 / 1 2 – 9 / 1 8 / 2 3
The unofficial 4th member of the Forest Boyz Club
She was my constant companion… and the first female animal in my life. I grew up with 4 brothers, no sisters, and little feminine influence. Testosterone seemed to be what I knew best. I actually bought her as a companion for my older Dobie Lucas, who was very lonely after we lost our other male. I never wanted a female, but I was doing what I thought was best for Lucas. Tragically, Lucas died on the night before we picked her up from the airport. So the gift I purchased for him, became his final gift to me. I had to bury my friend in the morning, and pick up the puppy I bought for him in the afternoon. It was devastating.
From Day 1 she was a little HELLION. She actually reminded me a bit of myself when I was younger, and I discovered we had a lot in common. I remember what it was like to feel invincible, and I tried to get her to pace herself. But she was fearless, full-tilt and determined to outplay everyone and every thing. She chased birds, balls, planes and raced cars along the road, culminating in explosive 360° spins. She loved all her friends something fierce and she won us over! She was such a flirt and would wiggle and shake her booty like there was no tomorrow. She had some boyfriends who outweighed her by 30 lbs., and she was RUTHLESS with them. Especially poor Jagger, who she loved like no other. They had 5 years of good living together before Jagger died suddenly at 5. I remember thinking some wild animal was chewing on the shingles on the side of the house and ripping them off… and then one day I realized it was KODAH!!!
She was the only other girl in the Boyz Club and she grew up doing everything with them… eating, napping, and yipping at them to try and get them to throw the ball for her. And when she was at rest, she made sure she had her foot on the ball to maintain total control. She somehow knew that Menno was low man on the totem pole, and I often found her standing with him while he was eating.
She was raised on a raw diet and didn’t have a single vet visit her whole life until we noticed some changes as a senior. She was still chasing balls and birds, hanging out with the Boyz and bossing us around. We thought we had many more years with her, but she took her last breath in our home, shortly before we wakened. No signs of struggle or pain. I am so grateful for all the years of love, laugher and joy she brought us. I always prayed that God would give her a good ending when it was her time, and He answered that prayer… it just came too soon!
She had WINGS… and she finally flew away. Life is so much harder without her. Our hearts are CRUSHED!
