Kota's Story

Going to training school was good. I did good, the trainer girl said so. She was pretty and she smelled like flowers and dogs. I stayed all day with her and other dogs and trainer people. The lady I stayed with during the night was okay. She smelled like burning sticks and drink, but she said I was a good boy and handsome and gave me pets. She bought me those treats that are like salmon - the kind in the bag. After training I didn’t see the trainer girl anymore. I was with the people at the house. I had a kennel and was in there a lot, it was okay. My collar kept me safe so I could go outside, that was good. Sometimes after she had lots of drink the lady left me outside until all the lights went off. I got scared because I didn’t think I could protect the people all by myself and I heard strange noises in the dark. I barked, but the other dogs didn’t bark back, they were inside with their people.

I thought the boy would play with me all the time because he did at first, but then there were all sorts of kids almost everyday. They ran in and out all day. Two boys were mean to me. They yelled in my face, and pinched me. I tried to stay away from them, but they found me. The lady had a new baby, too. Lots of times it was just the baby and me in the house. I was in my kennel and the girl child cried and cried in her chair. Sometimes the lady had me sit by the baby, other times she slapped me for sitting by her. The best times were when the man came home. He liked me and we rode in his truck sometimes. Wish he didn't stay gone so much. Him and the lady yelled at each other a lot, so the house was still loud.

Then there were times when all the people in the house went away. I stayed in my kennel for a long time in the days, it was quiet - that was okay. The next door lady came to let me out. She smelled like flowers and pumpkin and stuff. She would sit next to me and read to me and show me pictures, it was good. I was always a good boy, she told me so. The next door dad and sons came to let me out, too. I got to have my collar on and be outside. The son would throw the ball for me. They were nice. They never hit me or yelled at me.

When the people in the house came back they were happy to see me at first, then they put me outside alone or gave me treats to go in the kennel. The house and the kids were always going and going. The boys kept after me. One of them hit me and hurt me - I nipped at him. He yelled at me and cried and kept yelling. The lady got so mad at me when she found out. She punched me in the snout a whole bunch and put me in the kennel. She had lots of drink and kept yelling swears at me. I was so sad and scared. After that, the lady didn’t let the kids come inside and I was in my kennel all the time. I heard the people talk about getting rid of me. They didn’t love me anymore. I was always sad.

Soon, the boy was in some kind of trouble. The lady punched him and yelled swears at him, too. After that night, the lady had drink all the time and was always mad or crying. Then, the man came home sooner than other times. He was very mad at the boy. The boy sat with me those days and was always sad and in trouble. I was sad for him. The next door lady came over more, it helped them be calm. One time, promise, she smelled like bacon. The people started having the things taken out of the house. I still had my bowl, collar, and kennel. They had all of the things put in a big, fancy trailer - no dogs allowed. The next door people helped.

Then, it happened. They told the next door people they were rehoming me. The next door lady petted me and said I was such a good boy that I would get a home soon. The people said I would have to go to the pound if they couldn’t find a place for me before they left. Oh no! I tried to be a good boy, I really did. I sat, came, kenneled, and layed down every time. My trainer girl taught me how. The next door son heard the people. He was always a quiet man, but he spoke up so the people could hear him. He said, “I’ll take him. Kota can live with me.” He smiled so caring to me - he was a good boy. The next door dad and mom were worried about their grandson, what if I nipped at him? They had a girl dog that got old and went to doggy Heaven a while ago. They loved her a lot and she was the son’s best friend. Then, the dad said if the son pooper-scooped and other stuff he could have me. The son promised to take care of me, but if I ever hurt the little boy I would have to go. And so, I went to live with him right then.

The people took my collar off and I crossed the road for the first time. We went to the son’s place. There was enough room for him and me. He said, “I’m Zack, you will live here with me now.” He sat down and I sat beside him. It was quiet and it smelled like him, sort of like outside and stuff. It was good. The boy came to see me a lot over the next days. He wanted me to go play with him, but Zack said I should stay. I had to get used to it. I was glad. I stayed right by Zack in the place. The mom lady asked me to come out and visit her, but I stayed with the son. I had to get used to it, you know. After the people moved away we went out for a long hike on the property. The next door people had a nice house and they were kind to me. The mom lady made me sweet potatoes - best treats ever. Zack’s place was a little ways from the house. There were lots of shade trees and a big creek out in the backyard.

Zack had the little boy with him a lot. He was a good boy, but he got very close sometimes and it made me scared he might hurt me. I wasn’t sure if it was okay and let Zack know - I nipped a tiny bit. He made the boy leave, but he was mad at me. The mom lady was scared, too. She told Zack to keep the little boy away…I needed more time to rehome, the other people let kids treat me bad. Me and Zack had lots of time together. He cared for everything about me, he hugged me all the time. I got to ride in the whole back seat of his car. The mom lady and the dad helped Zack know about being a good owner. At home, my collar had to be set up for safety and we couldn’t go anywhere without a harness and leash.

Nowadays, the little boy comes anytime to be with us. They taught him how to stay away from my face and be gentle. He smells like bananas and stuff. We go to Walmart, the folks always say I’m handsome and give pets and smiles. When Zack goes to work I stay in the house with the mom lady, to protect her. She never makes me stay outside alone. I get sweet potatoes. After work, the dad gives me meat for treats and stuff. Sometimes it’s loud, that’s because there’s music and talking and laughing.

Zack is the best friend ever. Before, I didn’t get to go to the lake or river or creek. Now, we go all the time. Sometimes we just sit and listen to the water and the birds and stuff. He even lets me sleep on the bed and makes me eggs - he’s a good boy. I would lay down my life for him and our people. Every day we take care of each other and everyday I am loved. It is the best ever.