Timothy Stark Raisbeck

Grizzly takes time out from chores on the ranch to enjoy the day and reflect on the meaning of Independence Day.

Kodiak was caught in the act today. I happened upon Kodiak on my way back from the house. It isn’t often I find Kodiak in the pool but today was different. This one image doesn’t do justice to “the moment”. It is actually just one image pulled from a short video that I took. Kodiak’s gaze didn’t shift from me the whole time I was shooting the video. He had the same solemn look the entire time the video was rolling and didn’t move a muscle. Kodiak is fiercely independent and never lacks the ways or the means to entertain himself.

Kodiak aka Grizzly joined up with The Place Looks Decent, Suits Me Fine Gang approximately a year ago. He is the only testosterone made up member of the gang. All other members are of the female variety. We don’t know where Kodiak originated from, how old he is, or how he happened to find us. When you own a farm animals tend to find their way to you one way or another. Some arrive in good condition, others arrive in deplorable shape. Kodiak tended to arrive in the latter state. He was not in the best of condition when he hit our doorstep. He was quite emaciated and extremely cautious of people, to the point of being scared and nervous. That told us right there that he was most likely beaten in his former home, if you could call it a home. Anyone that treats animals in that respect does not run a home and it makes you wonder how other family members are treated. Kodiak also had signs of a terrible skin condition that is otherwise known as mange, “a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inflammation and itching and loss of hair”. He was put on medication to help with the mange, and to this day still struggles with it.

Having said that, Kodiak is an absolute JOY. The four of us have become so fond of Kodiak. He always puts a smile on our faces and he never seems to quit amazing us. Kodiak has the most beautiful gaits, and whether in a trot or gallop, he is more fun to watch. I refer to it as “watching a gazelle run”. He not only runs with speed but also has the tendency to leap up in the air as he runs. Kodiak is extremely graceful, and I do not remember any other dogs in my past that fit this “run” tendency. A video will follow at a later date showcasing Kodiak’s running ability.

Given Kodiak’s arrival date here would lead you to believe that he is the “low dog on the totem pole”, the youngest member of the gang. Being the youngest can have its pitfalls but being the only male can out weigh the age factor. Kodiak tends to rule things in the hierarchy. Even Gracie takes a backseat to Kodiak in many cases.