August 27, 2004 Letter from Kodi's new family: 

Dear Susan and GRRF:

I wanted to let you know Kodiak and all the boys are doing wonderful.  How blessed

we are because of him.  He is so sweet natured and easy going in our crazy house.

  He plays fetch in our back yard for hours and loves to run and jump while catching

the ball.  He has had NO accidents at all in the house and has quickly learned his

toys from everyone else’s.  We have been working on the down command and he is

catching on quick.  Austin has even been willing to pick up the dog poop!! 

We love this little guy already.  Can't imagine our life without him now.  Our whole

neighborhood is so impressed with him.  I am sure you will be getting several calls

from those who live in my sub-division.  As I send this message Kodiak is laying at

my feet resting after a long walk and some games of fetch.  We are looking in to

starting “Obedience School” with him. 

The ride home from Fairbanks was wonderful.  I could not have imagined how great

it would be.  Kodiak settled in to the back of the Suburban like a pro and never

made a peep.  We stopped to let him out and give him some water but there were

no accidents and no issues.  He loves the car!  I think he may have done even better

than the kids!  At least I didn’t hear him ask “are we there yet” 1,000 times. 

We bought a wire crate like you recommended and he is great with that.  He has no

problem going in and settling in there when necessary.  He slept in it the first night

but I broke down and let him sleep with me the next.  Guess I have a new buddy to

share the bed with while Dad is deployed.  In the next week or so I will start getting

him used to sleeping with Austin and Justin in their room.  He does well in the crate

when we leave, though for the most part there is always someone home. 

Thank you so much for the amazing work you do with these dogs.  I feel so content

with Kodiak in our house.  I will send pictures soon and will keep you updated.

Thank you Susan.  It has been a pleasure and now a lifetime of joy!

 Kodiak's New Mom …

"May the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus." 

August 24, 2004: Cody went home today with his new human Mom and three of her

four boys.  They drove up from Wasilla after visiting with Cody's brother Copper (Pup Pup).  Copper's mom did a home visit for us and the family was going to drive

up the next weekend but came the next day.  Cody's name will be changed to

Kodiak (and Kodi for short).  His special needs 10yr old little boy Austin was a

natural dog trainer and Kodi listened very very well to him.  Austin has been caring

for his teacher's therapy assistance dog while at school and she thought it would be

great for Austin to have a dog of his own.  Kodi's littermate, Copper, is already

training for passing the Delta Society Therapy Dog Program so we know Kodi has it

in his genes.  Kodi's active-yet-calm demeanor should work well with a family of

active boys from ages 2 to 17 years of age.  Congradulations, Kodi!

Cody (center) playing with his foster brothers