Entrant's First Name
Jodie

Animal Bio
Kobe began his life somewhere around 150 mile house, in BC. He was reportedly won in a poker game, and unfortunately spent the next 6 weeks of his life living outside, in the sparsely populated 150 mile wild, under a barbecue, sharing warmth with a cat, possibly eating bugs. I say possibly eating bugs, as I would still see him, on occasion, digging up the dirt with his nose and coming up chewing. Soon afterwards was when I went to look at a home for sale, near my sisters place in 150 mile, and ended up bringing a tiny pup back with me instead. I already had a dog, so Kobe wasn't initially going to be mine, and he wasn't going to be "Kobe" ... yet. He was going to go home with a very nice, dog loving couple, who were also out visiting relatives in 150 mile. However ... Kobe wasn't used to his new surroundings, or being around people, so he ventured off on his own, as this is what was normal for him. We all thought he was lost; we searched for him for HOURS. My guess is that Kobe wasn't used to people searching for him and had no idea he was supposed to come to our calls. What we didnt know, was that another neighbour (acres away) had already found him and brought him in their home. Before Kobe was found though, the nice, dog loving couple had to get back home (a six hour drive away), thus leaving Kobe behind. My niece was with me, visiting my sister, and of course she fell in love with Kobe and wanted to bring him home with her. My nieces Mom (my other sister) reluctantly agreed to keep Kobe. It was my niece and I who came up with Kobe's name, during OUR 6 hour drive home ... And then it happened!! As fate would have it, Kobe ended up being my second furry roomie. He was having trouble distinguishing where to relieve himself at my sisters place. I gave him April fools day as his birthday, and I happened to see a program, learning that he's a cairn terrier. I did my best to help him continue his life adventures. He's been swimming in lakes and rivers, but he isn't a fan. He's been camping, and out in a boat. He's been in shopping carts, in a few different stores, as well as in a stroller. He went on a ferry trip, and was up in the belly of a small plane. He's been up mountains, on 20 km hikes with me, and over to many friends homes, meeting what I'm sure has to be thousands of dogs. My other dog, Happie, taught Kobe well. And Kobe seemed to look to her for what to do next. It was hard for both of us to lose Happie (four years into Kobe's life) to Kushings disease. Kobe and I struggled for a bit, but more trips and adventures kept on coming! Kobe did develop some anxiety issues after Happie wasn't there to guide him. He doesn't care for air pressure changes when the rainy weather is on its way. He's afraid of thunder and fireworks, like alot of dogs I'm sure, and used to hide behind the toilet. And although it took him a while to warm to people, initially, he now has some separation anxiety as well. My sister looks after him while I'm at work, so Kobe gets to be with two other dogs and four other people when I'm not home. On weekends, I seem to plan my activities around whether or not I can bring my dog too. His life struggles continued in many ways as well. He broke a toe when my niece didn't see him in time and closed the car door on his foot. He has been sprayed by a skunk, on not one, but two occasions! He was hit by a taxi, going much too quick up our street. Luckily Kobe is a strong, stout little guy and he tucked and rolled after the hit - bolting at first, but "walking away from it" virtually unscathed. The emergency vet said that he punctured one of the lobes of his lung, so Kobe had some difficulty breathing for a bit. He surprised a raccoon, during the raccoons meal, and was attacked. I was also bit by the raccoon when I pulled it off of Kobe. He got lost in Chase, BC, while we were visiting my Mom. He has had 5 or 6 ticks pulled off of, and out of him. And last but not least, he and I had a bad car accident last December, when we rolled / flipped the car on highway 1 in the snow and ice. Apparently it flipped 3 times! VERY fortunately, he and I walked away from this too, although he now has a new stressor - riding in the car. And, as one person said to me ... E-B-OK (which is Kobe spelt backwards!) He's a smart little guy; the vet thinks so too. He has learnt from his "events" and picked up on things quite quickly. When we were out camping one time, he warned me that there was something wrong, and sure enough, there was a bear! He's very obedient and won't run after the ducks or cats, if I tell him to be nice. He likes to watch other animals on tv, but the downside is that he's quite vocal about it. On the plus side though, this is really the only time he's vocal, ... except when he sees another dog that he can't just run up and say hello to. Kobe is now 9 and I am so glad that he found his way into my heart. I think it was all meant to be, and I can't imagine my life without him!!