Cody is one smart cookie! She will bark if she needs something, and then when you ask her what she needs, she'll show you - she'll roll on her back if she needs tummy rubs, nudge her waterbowl if she needs water, go to the door if she needs to go outside, or excitedly wait at her dish if she thinks it MUST be time to eat. When I tell her to sit for her dinner, she twirls instead - I think she wants to keep me guessing. The meds that she has been on to clear up her skin condition have had the added benefit of making movement easier on her. After we taper her off these meds, we will introduce better long term meds to manage both her skin allergies and arthritis. It feels great to have watched her go from itchy and in pain to playful and happy. Cody is house-trained, up- to-date on shots, doesn't get on furniture, doesn't require a lot of exercise, and greets you at the door with a happy face. I'll let her say a few words ....

BARK BARK BARK - Hi, I am Cody. I am an extremely smart girl, and I am looking for a new home with people who will take me for car rides, buy me dog beds, and rub my tummy. While I wait, I continue to formulate my plan for a hostile takeover of my fosterhome from the evil cat who is now in charge, but keep that to yourself. I will admit, however, that my fear of said cat is impeding my progress, and my co-conspirators (Jack the deaf dog, and Selena the nervous cat) seem equally afraid. As practice, I tried to spook the vet the other day with my "I am a big intimidating dog with a BIG bark" bark, but foster mom rolled her eyes at me and told me to stop trying to be scary, because she knows I am all talk - then she cuddled with me, which spoiled the whole 'big scary dog' image I was going for (I did manage to make the vet tech jump tho). While I ponder what to do next, I will continue to enjoy my newfound love of dog beds. I'll be interviewing for new homes, so if you're interested, email placement@ragom.org.

Cody will be attending the seniors only event on Saturday.

We've discovered something new; Cody doesn't like crowds, and Cody doesn't like strangers reaching out and touching her in crowds. When Cody was surrendered, she didn't want me touching her at first either. I could give her treats, but she didn't want me to pet her. I gave her time as I talked with her surrendering owners, and what ultimately made her comfortable with me the day of her surrender, was taking her for a walk in the backyard. Once we'd walked together, she decided I was OK. Since that day, Cody has been accomodating to the few people who have visited her fosterhome, and enjoys affection. At the Maple Grove Petco event this past weekend however, Cody never grew comfortable enough in the space for her to allow people to touch her, and with all the hands reaching out, I needed to remove her from the environment. Prospective adopters will need to have patience with her - she may need time to warm up to you. While I think Cody has adjusted really well to her foster home, when working with a dog that has been removed from the place she has always known, you need to carefully watch for signals of stress, and act accordingly. It may be that Cody's personality is such that crowds will never be comfortable.

I am recommending a home without kids for Cody, although I think older kids would be fine. As few steps as possible would make an ideal space for her, but she is currently managing 4 steps out to the yard, and can go up and down the carpeted full flight in the house. She enjoys the company of other dogs, but it isn't required, and an energetic young dog would not be a good match. Cody is good with cats, and is gate respecting. Cody will need to consistently be on the following, an antihistamine, fish oil, food for dogs with allergies, Cosequin, and an arthritic pain management med. Cody will do best in a quiet home, but she also loves her short daily walk, and to follow her person around the house. Once you're her person, Cody will approach with affection, love tummy rubs, and engage in play with you with or without toys.

I apologize for not updating Cody's page lately. Life gets busy! Cody's skin issues are back, so she is back on a steroid and antibiotic, as well as the antihistamine and fish oil. It was suggested that frequent baths may help her, so we will be trying that out as well. Cody wouldn't do well at a groomer, so in-house baths are the ticket for her. We also now have her on a 'steroid compatible' pain med for her bad knees. You can tell Cody's back legs give her trouble, but she actually manages quite well. Cody has a couple of non-threatening cysts that we have had the vet drain, and which will likely need to be drained from time to time. She also has a growth on her nose that doesn't seem to bother her, so we are just leaving be. Although we haven't seen the optometrist yet, the vet and I feel that Cody has lost the vision in her right eye. It may even be that Cody's wariness of people has much to do with this loss of vision. Cody startles when things suddenly pop into her left line of sight, and the way she balances and turns all seem to lead to this conclusion. Cody also has a newly discovered ear infection, so we are treating that. She likes to take her meds with peanut butter, and never gives me any grief when I am looking in her ears or mouth or feeling for bumps.

Now that I have all the medical stuff out of the way, let me really tell you about Cody. She has the prettiest expressive face, and she has the funniest way of managing us. Cody communicates with a hearty bark, and usually its pretty clear what she wants. Unfortunately, the cats apparently haven't learned Cody's dogspeak (or they don't care what she's saying), so when Cody barks at them to move out of her walking path, or asks them to stop drinking her water because its her turn, they ignore her, and she keeps barking. If someone comes home in the afternoon, Cody decides that it must be dinnertime, and barks for her dinner. If its 2:30, dinner is a long way off, but Cody may continue to bark helpful reminders. Cody should therefore be kept busy in the afternoons with Chewies and Kongs, and other toys if any humans are present. Cody got to be the first animal to ride in our new dog-friendly SUV, and the first to try out the new dog ramp - she was so brave! She very much likes car rides, and immediately makes herself a comfortable spot to lay down. Despite her back legs, Cody also likes walks - we just keep them short. She isn't a velcro dog, but she does like to keep me in her line of sight, and greets me with enthusiasm every day.

Cody here, writing from fosterland. The girls here just last week pulled a tree out of the ground and brought it into the dining room. I thought that was a little strange, but Jack told me it was normal this time of year. When no one was looking, he pee'd on it. That's just how Jack is - boys are so rude! One day he tried to take my chewie away - I tried to tell him he didn't have any teeth anyway, so to just leave me be, but he gets a little jealous when I get something he doesn't get.

I really like all the fresh snow that we have been getting - it's my favorite thing to go outside and eat snow. Sometimes my paws get snow stuck between the pads though, and I don't like that. I taught fostermom a new trick - If I refuse to come inside, she will go in and get a treat and then lead me up the steps into the porch before she'll let me eat it. I am doing a pretty good job of training her. I've also got her soaking my food a bit before she feeds me - which makes it easier for me to eat. She was hand-feeding me for awhile, but then I felt a little guilty and decided softer food would work well enough. Fostermom says next week is bath week, and Christmas. I am hoping all that is fun stuff! Happy Holidays!

Cody checking in. Life is good. Fostermom is giving me fewer pills these days - she says my skin is better, and my ears are nice and clean. I've lost a few pounds since I came to stay here, and fostermom says that's good, and might be helping me have an easier time walking. I continue to train fostermom to give me treats so that I'll come in from outside. Sometimes she says I am manipulative - that must be good, right? If I don't see/smell a treat, I give her a 'let's try again' look, and go back in the yard to sit and wait for her to get it right. I've got a good system going, and don't plan on giving up on it now! I've been feeling so good lately, that sometimes I do the 'hopping, I am so happy to see you' dance for fostermom when she comes home, which always makes her smile. I would also like to send out a 'happy dance' to my sponsor - thank you for helping to make sure that I am pain-free and comfortable!

Cody is recovering this week from having a few teeth extracted - her teeth were really in horrible shape. She is strongly recommending that all pet owners remember dental care - it can save your pet heaps of pain!  She is also back on steroids for her itchy skin, and obviously feeling the relief. 

But most of all, Cody wants to share some most excellent news - she has found a forever home!  I had been worried with Cody's tendency to be wary of strangers, that any prospective adopters would be scared off ... but not Cody's new mom!  She was patient, and by the end of the meet and greet, Cody was asking her to rub her tummy!  By the time you read this, Cody will be checking out her new digs, soaking up the attention of her new mom, and figuring out how to communicate with her new cat friends.  Way to go, Cody! 

I know Cody would send out a hearty thanks to RAGOM, for being there for her, and to her sponser Carolyn.  Dog kisses all around!