27/12/2025
On the 23rd, our farm lost a special soul to suspected hemangiosarcoma. A loss that has me struggling to figure out what life without him looks like. I had other dogs before him, but Kodah Bear was the first dog my husband purchased for me, really "our" first dog as a family and without a doubt my heart dog.
He was a small 5 pound pup when we brought him home, sickly and needing so much extra TLC. We were inseparable, anyone who has had an anxious German Shepherd can understand this 😅.
That experience formed a lasting relationship with this dog, that has carried me in some of the most awful times in my life. As he got older, and especially when we settled into life on our current farm, he channeled his energy into working with me, wherever I was he was close behind.
For ten years, you have a shadow carefully watching your every step. You come to think of that Shadow as an extension of yourself. From herding the goats, to fighting off a raccoon, to raising TEN other dogs in our home and helping to shape each of them into good faithful companions, Kodah was a respected and treasured farm hand and best friend.
I suppose if I look for him, I will see a bit of him in every animal on this farm, especially the dogs he helped train. I think he put a little extra into the last pup he raised, Kylo, our Australian Shepherd. He has been a great comfort the last few days.
Ten years can go in the blink of an eye. Go on the adventures, enjoy the little moments, throw the stick one more time.
Thank you, Kodah Bear, for being the co-worker of a lifetime, and my most treasured friend 💙
