Saturday Evening Stroll

It was such a beautiful spring evening Kozmo and I hiked our favorite trail.

Traipsing Through the Woods

Saturday morning Kozzy and I met up with some of our dog park pals for a nice walk in the woods. Since it was spring gobbler season we were lucky enough to have a human who got us permission to walk on this private land. We had 4 humans, 8 dogs, lots of sunshine and smiles.

Happiness is a pack of dogs enjoying off leash time (photo by Lexy's Human)

Kozmo and Sunny love to play together. Lexy's human got the best capture. She clicked the shutter at the exact instant where Kozmo is both smiling and looking crazy. 

Krazy eyed Kozmo & Sunny (photo by Lexy's Human)

Luke and Kozmo finally meet

Since Kozmo came into my life my good friend has been enjoying Kozmo stories and can't believe that my first dog ended up being so full of energy. A very sweet coonhound named Luke has come into her life and before I had Kozzy's DNA tested my friend would often comment on the similarities of energy, intelligence and quirkiness between Luke and Kozmo. 

Our schedules are so busy and different that it took a while for these two dogs to meet. We finally had a sunny spring Sunday and decided to take the dogs for a long walk through the state game lands. It should be no surprise that as soon as both Kozmo and Luke were allowed off leash they found the grossest, smelliest water and jumped right in.

Gross dogs

Luke's human was a little worried to leave him off leash so Luke kept his leash on and before long had gathered up a large stick in his leash. We decided to leave it, figuring that the extra weight would help burn off some excess energy. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog. It didn't take long for Kozmo to see this stick as a toy and a very funny game of tug began.

Kozmo tugging on Luke

Luke pulling Kozmo

After a several mile walk we returned to my friends deck for the humans to sit down and enjoy some beverages and snacks. As you can see from the video below, Luke and Kozmo were not even close to being tired and are perfectly matched in terms of size, energy, and playfulness. It was a good day.

Indestructible Toy - NOT!

I'm not sure how dog toy manufacturers test dog toys, but I am certain they don't have dogs like Kozmo on staff. Koz could have a very successful career testing toys. Because of his strong chewing tendencies I'm always skeptical when dog toys claim to be indestructible. I found this canvas and rope toy on sale and decided to give it a try. 

In less than 3 minutes the so called "indestructible" toy was destroyed and Kozmo was quite proud of himself. We are back to frozen Kong's and nylabones....

Happy pup with a new toy

In a few short minutes he chewed through the indestructible toy

It's still fun to chew while the squeaker still works

Kozmo is so proud of his "kill"

Friends

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself. -- Jim Morrison

Recently I've been thinking a lot about friendships of all sorts. For those of you who know me you know that I don't make new friends easily. When I started this blog I named it "Kozmo and Friends" without giving much thought to the meaning of a friend.

Until now the "friends" mentioned in the blog have been the other dogs Kozmo has had the opportunity to play with. The more I think about Kozmo and friends I am realizing that simply by having this cute shelter dog enter my life both Kozmo and I have made some very special friends. Usually I try very hard not to humanize dogs. I realize many people may think dogs can't have friendships in the same way humans can. I agree, Kozmo can't call his friends to ask about their day or make plans. But he does recognize certain humans and dogs. Kozmo doesn't react the same way to everyone he meets.

Kozmo has always been friendly and curious but he was leery of letting new people pet him. When I first took him to day care he lacked proper dog socialization and tried to greet all new dogs by biting their necks. I was determined to have a well socialized dog so that he would eventually be welcome to go with me to visit family and  friends, go to the lake, hiking, and any other dog friendly ventures. When I set out to socialize Kozmo I had no idea we would both make real friends.

Kozmo recognizes his dog friends when we arrive at the park and agility class. Perhaps dogs recognizing each other and wanting to engage in play doesn't qualify as a friend. What is a friend? I think we have all sorts of different friends. It seems to me that we are all blessed with a variety of friends. We have many types of friends; old friends, new friends, work friends, friends from high school, college friends, and although they are all different and the relationships maybe different, I think they are all friends.

Kozmo is friends with several dogs, but the friendship that I find the most fascinating is the one between a human named Matt and Kozmo. We met Matt when we first started attending dog socialization. Matt is one of the nicest, most polite and genuine teens I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He truly has a gift with animals. Matt was the first person other than me who could get Kozmo to play fetch. Kozmo was slow to trust but curious enough he wanted to get to know Matt. It took a lot of patience from Matt but eventually Kozmo was playing and after a few weeks at dog socialization Kozmo allowed Matt to pet him and rub his belly. (Scroll to the bottom of this old post to see one of the special moments where Kozmo finally allowed Matt to pet him.  http://kozmoandfriends.blogspot.com/2013/02/dog-socialization.html)

I love to watch Kozmo and Matt together. I believe they are friends.

Matt & Kozmo at the dog park

Matt has Kozmo's full attention

Matt and Kozmo share a connection. This week in agility class Kozmo decided once again to be the class clown, grab a cone and run around the room. I tried to get him to drop the cone and come to me. Both trainers tried to get his attention. Ultimately the only person Kozmo would listen to was Matt. As frustrated as I was with Kozmo's antics I truly enjoyed watching Kozmo respond to his friend, Matt.

At the end of class we were all lucky enough to watch Matt with another friend, Sunny. Matt has learned a lot watching each agility class. His family's dog, Kaylee Jane, is very attached to Matt's mom and would never let another person lead her through a course. To give Matt a chance to try agility Sunny's human agreed to let Matt and Sunny try the course. When you watch this video keep in mind Sunny is not Matt's dog and this is Matt's very first time on an agility course.

(For those of you who are reading the blog via email subscription you will need to click to the website to view the video clip. It's worth it. )

Matt and Sunny did a second run so that they could try the teeter. Below are a few phone photos. As I left agility class I was smiling thinking about friends. Sunny's human and Matt's mom and I have become friends. We started off having our dogs and the weekly socialization classes in common. We quickly discovered that we all have rescue dogs, use the same trainer, enjoy agility, and have a passion for photography. It didn't take long for friendships to form. I never thought my first dog would help me make friends or that my dog would make friends of his own but I've seen it happen and know I'm very lucky to have so many wonderful friends and Kozmo. He has changed my life and we are looking forward to many adventures with our new friends.

Sunny focuses on Matt at the start line

And they are off....

Matt & Sunny have a perfect finish

Easter Miracle

Before Kozmo came into my life my cat Sparky had never seen a dog. I found Sparky as a stray when he was a very young kitten. Since I brought Sparky home he has been an indoor only cat and spent the first 8 years of his life with Ace, the coolest cat ever. Even though I got Sparky when he was young he had enough life experiences and imprints that he has always been slow to trust and leery of new situations.

Introducing Kozmo to Sparky has been a very gradual process. From day one I wanted Sparky to know that he was still safe in his own home and wasn't being replaced. I also wanted Kozmo to respect the cat. I implemented several safe zones for the cat. I read books. I kept Kozmo on a leash for brief introductions. I exercised more patience than I thought possible. I waited.

Eventually Sparky stopped hiding all of the time and gradually gained the confidence to be in the same room as Kozmo. Sometimes Kozmo gets too close and Sparky has had to use his claws to remind Kozmo he needs a healthy respect for cats.

I was so happy the first time Sparky was brave enough to come into the room with and jump on my lap. I've seen the cat tease the dog. The progress has been slow.

On New Year's I made a goal that in 2013 I would get a photo of Kozmo and Sparky together.

Today is Easter. I went to visit my family and took Kozmo with me. Sparky had the house to himself. He must have enjoyed being home alone without the dog. When Kozmo and I returned from our travels Sparky was on Kozmo's loveseat. I only call it Kozmo's loveseat because it's the only piece of furniture where Kozmo is allowed and this is the same piece of furniture Kozmo has chewed several times.

Kozmo was pretty mellow from his big adventure. I kept him on his leash and used a treat to lure him onto the loveseat. Sparky was calm enough not to move and just observed the dog getting this close.

Ok, so this isn't a prize winning photo. Kozmo was on a leash and I did have to use treats but this crappy iphone photo represents a LOT of patience and work to get these two very different creatures this close together without drama. I was proud. Immediately I had to share this photo with my inner circle claiming it was an Easter miracle.

Kozmo showed no interest in antagonizing the cat. He curled up at his end of the couch. I really was witnessing an Easter Miracle. I got brave and removed the leash. Within a few minutes Kozmo and Sparky were peacefully coexisting without any interference from me. I was beaming with pride.

I was overjoyed simply watching my two furry family members hang out together. I was witnessing history. I actually had a photo of my dog and cat together. (The photo is only with my iphone and the perfectionist in me won't be satisfied until I get a better, more professional looking photo) I didn't want to move and disturb this magic. I sat in the chair with my coat on and just quietly watched. If these two could find a way to lay on the same couch together anything is possible.

I sat quietly observing my small victory and before long both Kozmo and Sparky fell sound asleep. I was no longer using a leash or treats. Sparky felt safe enough to fall asleep with Kozmo only a few feet away and Kozmo chose sleep over chasing the cat. It was a beautiful moment.

Happy Easter!!! Miracles are possible.

Muddy dogs are happier

Kozmo and I are very lucky. Through dog socialization classess we attended this winter both of us made some wonderful friends. Kozmo was invited to meet six of his doggy friends Sunday morning as a bonus, the humans also got to visit.

After 2 hours of non-stop play we all had very muddy, tired and happy dogs. It was decided that muddy dogs are happier dogs. 

 

Marcy & Sunny

Kaylee Jane is such a sweet lady

Happy Kozmo

Cash & Kozzy

Marcy & Kozmo

Rosco retrieves & Sunny sniffs

Cash won "muddiest dog"

Timid Lexy finally allowed me to take her photo