Husky Havoc RRT - happy tails: Kodi the Malberian Shepard

Husky Havoc RRT

Happy Tails in New Homes:
Husky Havoc Success Stories

Kodi

Kodi - the Malberian Shepard (what we affectionately call the wolf-looking mix of Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and
German Shepard) - had a life that started off pretty good...he had a home, a yard, 2 other dogs to play with, a car to go on
rides in, and some basic obedience training. We don't know what went wrong, but when his original owners decided to pick
up and move away, they just left all three dogs in the backyard. They didn't even leave food or water or shelter for them.
The neighbors left food and water each night, thinking that the family must be coming back for the dogs at some point, but
they soon realized that these 3 beautiful friendly dogs had been abandoned. They wrangled the dogs and took them to the
Geauga County Dog Warden's shelter (with food, water, blankies, and a note). The other two dogs were rather quickly
adopted. But Kodi's very wolf-like appearance and his large size (he was 80 lbs when we pulled him, and he was skinny then
too) acted both as a deterrent and a false lure. Many people assumed he was a wolfdog, but there was nothing wolf like in his
behavior. He was a big, sweet, goofy, affectionate boy who had no concept of how big he is, and was in need of a pilot's
license for those giant ears. We got a call from the deputy dog warden asking us to take him; he'd been at the kennel for 2
months already. We immediately ran out to the shelter and pulled him.

Kodi had a rough time adjusting. He didn't ride well in the car (let's just say we learned not to feed him before a car ride) and
became so frantic when crated that he injured his own paws. We treated him for his anxiety (turned out to be crate-phobia)
and worked with him in obedience training. Thanks to his GSD heritage, he was bright and wanted to please, so learning was
a quick process. He also acted as a great guard dog and became very protective of Raven. He bonded well with the Husky
Havoc Trio, and we think Malkin was just happy to have another big friendly boy in the mix. Paikea and Neenah loved
chasing him around the yard, while he used them as hurdles. Kodi was the best of both worlds - looks like a wolf, acts like a
dog; plays like a husky, protects like a Shepard. We adored him, and nicknamed him our Mellow Moose.

So did a family in Cincinnati. With two teenage boys, a few fenced in acres, a couple miniature horses, and a Golden
Retriever, it was a perfect match for our Gentle Giant. Kodi took to them immediately, especially to Larry the dad. Last we
heard, Kodi was happily romping through the pasture with Charlie the golden and the boys (who can do whatever they like
to him and he happily joins in the fun), and making himself comfortable wherever he feels like. After needing some initial
convincing, he discovered his love for the family pool. He even likes going out on the boat on their family vacations
(wearing his giant size life jacket). Kodi knows he's home. We can't thank Larry and Karen and the boys enough for seeing
past Kodi's size to the sweet soul in those brown eyes. We'll always miss him (Raven misses him a lot), and wish him the best.

This was Raven's favorite photo of Kodi,
"helping" us rake leaves just before he went to
his forever home near Cinci.

Kodi curled up with his buddy, Charlie the Golden.

Yes, there is a dog under there. Kodi lives with two
wonderful teenage boys. The family told us that the
boys could do whatever they wanted to Kodi and
he'd happily join in. And this photo is proof.