Humans in Training
Kodei Takes Mike and Cheryl Under His Wing
Cheryl and Mike weren't looking for a dog, but Kodei knew they had potential. He could tell right away that with proper training, they would make good parents. How he came to live with them isn't important, but Kodei has definitely taken over Mike and Cheryl's household. Kodei is training his new parents to cater to his every whim, and Mike and Cheryl are catching on quickly.
At first, Mike installed Kodei in an old doghouse that had belonged to another dog. Some plywood and tarp (applied at 1:00 am in a driving rainstorm) kept the new tenant dry. Still, Kodei made clear his preference for a real house with real people. Kodei explained that Mike and Cheryl needed someone to protect them during the night. What if a burglar broke in?
Mike fixed up a doggie door and a small place inside for Kodei to sleep. Kodei quickly realized what Mike didn't -- that he wouldn't be able to fight off intruders if he was confined to a pen. So, he ate his way through the heavy-duty walls Mike had built, and soon he had the full run of the house. Now Kodei shares a room with his sister Tasha, and together they keep their home safe from burglars.
Kodei really had his paws full those first few days. He also had to teach Cheryl a few things about dog food. First of all, real dog food doesn't come in cans or bags. REAL dog food is just like people food. It wasn't long before Kodei had Cheryl cooking and preparing food for a week at a time. Ingredients consisted of mackerel, turkey, hamburger, carrots, peas, string beans, broccoli, squash, spinach, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, pasta, tomatoes, apples, and raisins. Cheryl cooked, and Mike put the food up in heat-sealed packages.
Playtime involved some give and take. Kodei taught Cheryl to play tug-toy with him by agreeing to wear a silly birthday hat. He taught Mike that a little kiss on the nose was the signal to scratch behind Kodei's ear. Eye contact was worth a pat on the head. A few woo woos got him a cookie, which he'd usually save for later. In the yard, Kodei taught Mike to fill in holes that Kodei had dug so he could dig them again.
It's a good thing Mike and Cheryl don't have any human children. They're wonderful, loving parents, but Kodei says they're a handful. He's not quite sure he's ready to train their human children, too. A husky can do just so much, you know.