Happy Anniversary, Kodak!!!

Good morning! It's a beautiful, chilly Spring morning in Los Angeles. The birds are just waking up outside the window. Kodak, my yellow Labradorable Guide Dog, is snuggled up in a nest of blankets on my side of the bed, with his head buried in my pilows, occasionally opening one sleepy eye to babysit me. every now and then, he twitches an ear at me when I ruffle his fur, but heaven forbid you wake up Kodak on a Sunday morning for anything less than breakfast or a walk! He'll just steal your covers and grumble something naughty in dog until you let him go back to sleep. I've never figured out how he knows which day is Sunday, but Sundays are the one day when Kodak sleeps in (much to my dismay, since I have to be up early to practice for Church.)

Today Kodak and I are celebrating our three-year anniversary. Sounds weird, I know, but I really do celebrate anniversaries with my Guide Dogs.

Kodak is my second Guide Dog. Arlin, my first Guide, was a giant black Labrador we fondly call the "king of the Guide Dogs." He is a noble monster, with a huge blocky head, big golden eyes, jowls big enough to shelter the state of Texas, and the demeanor of a king. He is an old soul. He has these yellow-amber eyes that look right into the middle of your heart. Most people say they feel like he knows everything about them. When Arlin gives you the look, you feel about three inches tall, and as if you're communing with some ancient being instead of a big stinky drooly black Lab.

Arlin was born knowing how to guide. He's a great thinker, but age caught up with him, and his mind started to wander late in his career. Twenty feet in front of an obstacle, he'd already have his chosen path around it plotted out in his head. He never hesitated, never had to think, and rarely asked for my imput, other than to take general directions. And he was hardly ever wrong. He was an honest, hard worker who really taught me the meaning of dedication and unflagging loyalty. I look up to Arlin's example every day. He was not only a great partner, but a wonderful teacher, and a very good friend.

Arlin is ten now, and lives in Phoenix with my dear friend, Wendy, since I'm not home enough to attend to him as he deserves. I do still see him, and I know he has a wonderful home with Wendy. I miss him desperately, though.

Kodak and I partnered up on March 22, 2006. Arlin had fully entered retirement the month before. If Arlin is the commander in Chief of the Guide Dogs, Kodak is the eager Private First Class--the guy who is the first to yell "Yessir, Drill Sergeant!" He's so excited about life in general, and every time I pick up his harness, you see him quiver all over, as though he's still soooo proud and excited to put on that uniform and go to work!

My dogs are night and day from one another, and yet they are both amazing guides and friends. Kodak lives to work and play, always ready to bounce up and go wherever you say. He's a dilligent worker, quick to try to figure out any problem in front of him, but he is cautious, careful and a team player when we work together, whereas Arlin guided by the seat of his canine pants, figuring everything out by himself on the fly. Kodak is an unstoppable flirt and charmer. Kids adore him, women would do anything for the chance to gaze into those sweet brown eyes and kiss that cute nose, and guys can't help but grin when they see Kodak taking down a tree to get to a squirrel!

Some of my favorite Kodak moments:
1. Kodak has flown the US Airways Airbus a320 simulator for a perfect landing at Seatac Airport
2. Kodak has visited the flight-deck of two southwest planes, and while working for US Airways, had his picture taken wearing the cap of a Southwest Captain
3. Kodak's favorite treat is a bite of your apple, and he'll do any trick to get it, including playing peekaboo, shaking hands, barking on command, and giving hugs.
4. Kodak still is trying to figure out how to get up that tree to eat the squirrel that always sits there on the corner of our street and laughs at us when we walk by every morning.
5. I have a picture of Kodak with an Easter basket stuck on his nose, looking for all the world like Pooh with the honey jar. Kodak always has to investigate everything, whether or not he's supposed to. He's insatiably curious.
6. Kodak holds the record for high-jumping somersaulting, spinning-while-airborne, falling-over-backwards-because-he's-so-excited Labrador.
7. Every dog who meets Kodak tries to be the boss of him, except for Buster. buster, my Aunt and Uncle's cocapoo, is just the perfect size for kodak to boss around. Buster is Kodak's favorite giant squeaky toy.
8. Kodak hates hospitals, but he's been in more of them than any Guide Dog I know, and he loves the chance to curl up on the foot of the hospital bed and snuggle with you, should you be sick and lonely. Nothing cures you better than a big dose of Kodybear cuteness. It's not just me he's helped, either.
9. Kodak's favorite spot in the recording studio is at the window of the control room with his wet nose pressed against the glass to the studio proper so he can see everything going on in there. He's fascinated by recording musicians for some strange reason... like dog, like owner?
10. One of the best Kodak moments: When I first met Gavin DeGraw, Kodak walked right up to him and stuck his nose right in Gavin's crotch. Gavin laughed it off, but wow, was i ever embarrassed!!!

Kodak's nicknames include but are not limited to (mine and everyone else's):
Kody, Kodybear, Bear-bear, Kodman, Kodificus, Kodydog, Guide-worm, Tigger, Little yellow man, Mr. Ko D. Bear, the Magnificent Mr. Spinny, Captain Kody, Koderama, Shmodo... others...


Kodak is the best partner, but he's also an amazing friend. He's the first to leap off the ground with all four feet and do spinnys around the room when he sees me come home from the hospital. He hates hospitals, but time and again, he goes, and sits, and loves. He even gets the doctors and nurses to play with him and it's a running joke that he's the staff therapy dog when I'm in the hospital. He's high energy and loves to play, but there's no one more ready and willing to curl up with me and read a good book or listen to some music when I need to unwind. The Kids in Sunday School climb all over him, and the babies think he's another toy to play with, and Kodak loves every minute of it.

Kodak and I have had so much fun together. even when life gets scary, Kodak can make me laugh, and remind me why life is so wonderful. I'm very lucky to have such an amazing teammate to guide me through life. The amount of love, patience and courage Kodak must have in order to put up with life with me... wow, you go, Kodybear!

So here's to the best yellow teammate ever! Kodak, you rock! I love you, little yellow man! Here's to years and years of more Kodak Moments with you, Kodybear!