Kokie is my very special American Eskimo - I have 4 critters - 2 dogs and 2 cats, and although I love them all, Kokie will always be that very special pet that owns my heart.

When my husband I were getting married it was agreed that we would be getting a dog - he grew up with a Samoyed, and that was the only type of dog he would consider. I was fine with that - although my preference would have been for a Setter (I had an Irish & Gordon when growing up), but I knew a Setter wouldn't be the most practical choice of dog for a young working couple...

The thing my husband and I disagreed on was when we would get a dog. I thought that as soon as we had our house we should start looking - he thought we should wait a few months to get settled in, and then start looking...

Well, we got our house on the Tues, and on Saturday all the family came over. Late in that day I got a call from my sister-in-law saying she was bringing us a dog! She had gone to the Humane Society and looked around, and didn't see any dogs she considered where right for us, until she noticed this little white dog in a cage by itself off to the side. She asked what kind of dog she was, and was told she was an American Eskimo - basically just a smaller version of a Samoyed! Well, they took her out for a walk, and decided she was the dog for us. The only concern was that Dakota had a bad back leg. She had been bitten by one of her parents when she was very young, and it had never healed properly. She didn't have full use of that leg, but they thought it would slow her down enough so we wouldn't have to worry about her on the furniture.... Little did they know!!!

It took all of 2 seconds for her to steal my heart - hubby took a little longer, but the promise of a computer upgrade sealed the deal (he would have given in anyway, but this way he could say he also got what he wanted).

We have had her for 7 years now, and she is our little Princess. She has a very definite idea of how things should be, and isn't afraid to voice her opinion. She is too smart for her own good, and knows that she can twist me around her little paw, but I can't imagine life without her!

We kept her original name of Dakota, but it quickly morphed into Kokie (as well as many other names, - BRAT being one of the most often used!).

GREAT STORY!!!! I have nicknames for all my pups..Abraham waiting at rainbow bridge now) had the most...we called him A-B, Willa, Mr. President (he was born on Abe Lincolns B-day), Abe...

Alex...my 11 year old Tzu is also called Moocka (have no clue why) and Audrey (1 year old Tzu) is Miss piggy...I know why we call her that !!!

Well Kokie...nice to meet you and look forward to hearing more about your fur kids too.

Hi Sandra,

Tears came to my eyes when I read about Dakota... and I know the story!

Kokie is definitely a loving, and very mischevious pup. I think she will always be a puppy who never grows up. Anyone who has the privilege of meeting her had better love doggie kisses or know how to move with the speed of lightning!

Thanks for sharing with the group!

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God, please let me be the person my dog thinks I am.

Awww...sooo sweet!!

I was asked in another post about Kokie's leg, so I thought I would reply back here, to keep the story continuous...

She has never had full use of her back left leg, and never will. The people who bred her were obviously backyard breeders who only cared about the money. The injury caused her knee cap to be displaced to the side, and it then "healed" there... I think it is pretty obvious that they never took her to see a vet. My vet believe the injury could have been minimized with the right care at the start - she probably would always have a limp, but atleast she would have had more use of that leg...

Back in 2001? she also broke that leg... At the time I didn't have the backyard fully fenced (it was fenced, but not Kokie proof), so the two dogs had to go out on a rope. Morgan's rope got tangled around Kokie, and Morgan than took off at top speed, pulling Kokie off the deck....

The break was bad enough that she needed surgery and a metal plate was put along the bone. Since she didn't have full use of that leg, the vet wasn't sure whether it would be worth doing it, but we decided we didn't want her to loose even more use of the leg. The surgery was the best thing for her - it was 2 or 3 days before they could get a surgeon in who could do the proceedure, and during that time she was listless, and wouldn't move. We would have to pick her up, take her outside, set her down, she would do her business, and then just stand there.... When we picked her up from surgery she was back to her normal self - running around, bouncing all over the place... The vet was amazed!! He even commented that if he ever breaks his leg, he is having the same type of surgery.

As she has gotten older the leg is starting to bother her more, and her other legs are also starting to show signs of strain from having to take on more pressure. She isn't as active lately, so she has been putting on weight, which of course makes it worse.... She insists on being on the couch, but when she jumps off, she sometimes lands funny, and hurts her good back leg... She then looks really funny as she gets around on her bad leg - she can't extend it fully, so she has to run with her bum down close to the ground...

I now have her on metacam daily, and that is helping, but unfortunately she will never be 100%. I really wish I could find the idiots who breed her, and give them the same injury, and then leave it untreated! When we had the surgery for the broken leg, it set us back quite a bit (the full cost for all vet vists, initial cast, the surgery, and follow ups was about $2000), but neither my husband or I even questioned the cost - she needed it, so we would find the money....

Hi Sandra...Love your heart touched story....So sorry hearing about Kokie's Leg tho poor baby..We had a Samoyed when I was back home in the US...she was a sweetie..they are wonderful dogs...thank you for sharing your story with us

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SAVE THE EARTH, IT'S THE ONLY PLANET WITH CHOCOLATE!

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Congratulations Kokie!! Perfect choice for the Feature Creature... and I'm not just saying that because she's my grandpuppy!

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God, please let me be the person my dog thinks I am.

Well Kokie certainly got lucky when she adopted her parents. Lovely story.

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Cathryn
Zone 4

Injured animals always touch our hearts.....When Jack lived in AR. there was a three legged black Lab who was amazing..he got around just fine, was great with kids and other dogs, even enjoyed a good rousing dogfight once in awhile...never serious, just lots of noise and wagging tails..........he had fans all over town. Being an "independent bachelor", he got goodies from various families , and frequent handouts from the local butchers, and was promptly adopted when someone wanted him picked up and taken to the pound....