Like all pet parents, we loved our little pup from the beginning.  Small enough to fit inside one square kitchen tile, Kodiak, our Bernese mountain dog, was a ball of love and enthusiasm with the enduring spirit of a survivor.  With tough medical challenges ahead of him, he would need a lot of support, and a little bit of luck, to make it through.

Just days after Nancy and I brought Kodiak home, he fell gravely ill with canine parvovirus.  It is an often-fatal disease, but we were determined to see him through, and he was just as determined to survive.  Thankfully, with exceptional veterinary care, he did.  Kodiak came home ready to tackle life with all the joy he could draw out of every day while giving it back to those around him.  It wouldn’t be the last or least expensive medical challenge he would face, but we were grateful we could afford it so we could watch this brave puppy grow into a happy, loyal family dog.

For those who know and love the breed, Berners, as they are sometimes called, are gentle giants and Kodiak was no exception.  We would foster tiny kittens until they were old enough to be adopted, but not before Kody would adopt them as his own. He was content to lay down and let the kittens climb all over him like a huge, furry jungle gym. He was a friend to all, trustworthy with even the smallest of creatures.  Never have I seen a more heartwarming exchange than when I watched a squirrel approach him, reach up and put his paws on Kodiak’s muzzle. He returned the affection with a curious sniff and a gentle nudge of his nose. That’s who he was, 100-pounds of unconditional love for all.