Kodiak's Memorial Service

Today we had the Memorial Service for DeltaBluez Kodiak, "KODI".

 

My mom and Aunt Kimiko came over to do the ceremony. They LOVED Kodi and Kodi would leap the fence and follow them everywhere when they would come over. Mom would get a HUGE bag of soft, chewy, organic dog treats and feed him all the of the bag. He would take each piece gently from her hands and look deep into her eyes.

 

So Kimiko was in charge of the ceremony. She and my mom are Buddhist and wanted to incense burning in his honor. Kimiko got some lavender incense for Kodi.

 

They also got some balloon for him and tied a rock to them on top of his grave. I put a maple leaf down on his grave for him. Nelson will plant a tree on his grave later this fall. 

 The balloon are like Kodi, a free spirit.

Tess had to say good-bye.

  

Aunt Kimiko lighting the incense. It is a tradition for all deaths, whether it be human or an animal. It is the way to honor the dead.

 

Saying a prayer which blesses the spirit that goes to heaven and is in peace. There was a lot more but I had a hard time with the translation.

Kimiko and my Mom, saying that Kodi is with God now. I gave him a prayer too and felt his breathe on my face. I know his spirit is still here. 

 

This is where he would lie down and watch the barn and pasture. Plus, he had a view of the front porch as well. I am going to get a nice stone for a marker.

Rest in Peace, beloved Kodi. Protector of the sheep. Guardian of my heart. You are a part of the farm and a piece of you lives in each and everyone of us.

Be with God and protect his sheep.

More Signs

I guess I am lazy today and as a resort, you get some more signs. Not dog related at all except for one sign.

 

Did Bozo got there?

 

Can you name all the Bills? 

I kant speell!

 

 

 What if I can't break dance?

At my house!

 

The Crane looks very dangerous.

It is against the law.

 

Signs are us!

Here is some fun signs for you to read. I still have to process the photos from the Finals as well as other tials and an was behind in everything else. 

 

 Wonder how many fell for this. I bet they only did it once!

I loved this one!

 

 

Typical mom

Well, that explain it all now to me!

 

Someone has a good sense of humor.

Must be an engineer who did the steps.

 Should use Google Chrome.

 I am in heaven now!

 

 

Tess and Arm update

I have been remiss on Tess's update as well as my right fractured arm update. Tess went had her x-ray today as well as blood work. We will get the results of the blood work back tomorrow.  Her heart is still enlarged but has not gotten any bigger. Unfortunately it is pressing against her trachea. What I could see, it is smashing about 80% of it down, which causes her to cough and pant and not get air to her lungs. We increased her meds to hope to draw more water out of her system so it is not pressing against it so much. if that doesn't work, then I don't know what Plan B will be. The rest of her x-ray looked the same from April so that is good. The vet guessed at that time 3-6 months but now maybe it maybe up to a year, if we are lucky and the heart shrinks. The main issues is the heart pressing against the trachea and that need to be shrunk. She pants and  coughs then is fine. So, she gets a recheck-up this weekend. I will be happy for what time she has with us, however much more it will be.

 

Tonight she just had to help me put the chickens away.  Rainey had  issues when the chickens would scatter and not flock. Tess was trying to climb over the gate so I let her in. She grabbed a wayward hen (gently) and brought her to me. Then she quickly started to gather the flock. Rainey covered one side and Tess the other. They did it record time which was good as it began to rain. As soon as we were done, Tess ran to the tack room for her treat. She has me trained. She got her treat and then an extra one because I worship the ground she walks on!

 

Tess has recovered totally from the Vestibular Attack. Her head tilt is gone, the wobbling is non-existent and she runs at full speed. It took about six weeks but it slowly went away. It stalled for about two weeks then finally went away. I am thankful it did! Again, thanks to Cheryl Necochea at the LaCamas Sheepdog Trail when Tess had her attack. She also helped me at the Finals with Tess as well as blogging.

 

I went to the Ortho doc. The fracture in the wrist is healing well and no cause for concern. The U shape fracture is starting to separate and the Doc was concerned. If it continues, he will pin it. He told me to take it easy and not use it so I am very careful now. The other long straight fracture bisects the U fracture also. Both are slowly start to fill in and he think they will finish filling in and be fine BUT the U shape fracture can be cause for concern. If I don't drive, lift, push, push or toss for the next three week, it will be fine. I go back for another visit in two weeks. I don't know if drinking milk helps but am drinking a glass a day.  Typing for more than 15-30 minutes really hurts.

 

On the bright side, although the husband may not agree, I get out of a lot of housework. I can load the dishwasher but not empty it. Now, I have learned to wash dishes with my left hand.  Can't do the heavy housework or ones that require two hands. Did you know that mopping the floor requires two hands? I would say something about vacuuming but Getty does that anyways.

 

So by the first of November (IF  I don't screw it up), I should be back to normal. That will be so nice as I am tired of being sick or hurt. I think after the Doc gives me the "green light", I will sit down and have a glass of wine to be on the path of goodness and wellness.

 

However, I am sending the demon spawns young Border Collies to Scott for the winter. I sure hope he is quicker on his feet than me. I think I will tell Jen to stay in the house when Ben is loose. Ben was the dog who knocked me down!

 

 

R.I. P DeltaBluez Kodiak (Aug 23, 2000-Oct 17, 2012)

Today we lost a cherished member of our family. He arrived twelve years ago in October, a fat, wee, polar bear of a puppy. He came from Kerry Woods in Ellensburg. His parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents all worked on a sheep farm. I told Kerry to pick out a good natured pup as I didn't care what color or sex but wanted one that was sweet. She picked Kodiak and the day he arrived, the farm was never the same. He surveyed the farm, settled in with the ewes and soon became part of them. He grew up quite serious but had a fun side to him. He knew his name and would came (most) of the time. If he knew he was getting some meds, he would gleefully gallop out of range. Otherwise, the rest of the time he would come and snuggle. He was good on leash as sometimes I would have to take him to the vet and never fussed. He had a great heart for love and not only took care of his flock but us as well.

 

If a stranger would drive up, he would bark. If Code Enforcement would show up, he would leap the fence and not let them out of the car. Only one Code Enforcement person (Brenda) was allowed to roam. If friends would show up, he would greet them. Now if my mom would show up, he would leap the fence and follow her to the front door. She would feed him tons of soft meaty treats and he adored her.

 

He was great at protection. Eagles would try to circle and snag a lamb. On his watch, the eagles decided to leave the farm and try their luck elsewhere. Coyotes soon found that looking at his sheep, meant a full charge and in one case, death to the dominate male coyote. They soon would give a wide berth to the farm. We have bears and cougars and they kept away.

 

Additionally, the poultry would be safe, One wild mallard would raise her brood and bring her babies near him and he would stand charge while the eagle circled about. After the eagle would leave, she would march her brood back to the pond. She did this several times while the ducklings would mill around his feet.

 

When the lambs would be born, he would stand guard and if he didn't think mama did a good enough job in cleaning the lamb, he would lick it clean. The ewe would stand there and watch. Most of the ewes have been raised by him and often he would be laying among them, cleaning out their ears and face. Some would sleep with their heads on his side. They knew he was their protector and they would run to him.

 

He loved the snow.

 

What he thought of me taking a photo!

 

 See the wise old eyes.

Nap time.

 

 One of the lambs he raised. Victoria and Kodi.  (by Bonnie Block)

 

 Taking care of the lambs

His best friend, Rigby.  They used to play chase all the time and then take a nap together.

 

He is about 6 in this photo. (by Bonnie Block)

 

 Quick to check out anything that was new. 

A grand old man.

 

He would watch us work the dogs. When we would use our whistles. he would sing along. 

He loved the Border Collie puppies too.

 

In 2006, we had a huge barn fire. The barn was burned down but he took the sheep out of the stalls and saved them He got the LGD AWARD of the year for his bravery. It was all in a day's work for him.

 

The link to the STORY

 

Kodi has not been doing well the last few days. Jeff and I had discussed about the farm vet coming out this winter so we could make his passing peacefully. He made the decision for us and was found dead in his beloved pasture.

Kodiak has been buried next to the house pond where he used to lay and watch his farm. We will plant a tree on his grave to honor him.

 

We will miss him. As I write this, I am crying. He has taken a huge part of our hearts away. He has been part of the farm and with his passing, life will go on, our hearts will heal, but we still miss him and love him.

 

Good-Bye my dear friend. I love you very much. Rest in Peace and I know your spirit is here still.