The midi playing is "Old Time Rock and Roll", that is what Kota did for my life and soul!
He is A.K.C. Rottweiler in true form.
When I first went to look at his litter they were one week old, small, furry, bundles of joy.
He was the biggest, I was looking for more. I held each squirming puppy one by one.
The biggest one immediately snuggled into the crook of my neck licking my chin.
After holding the fifth one I started over. I held four pups without one snuggling
or licking me, they just struggled to get down. I looked for the appealing snuggly one,
he was no where to be seen. Something moved on my foot.
I picked him up, again he snuggled in my neck and licked my chin.
That is how "Diamond Dakota's Bluff" came into my life, he picked me,
I didn't pick him.
It had been over 6 years since a puppy had been in this house. You forget
how much time and care they are, let alone how much trouble
they can get into. Soon the eat and sleep days were gone,
he was raising havoc wherever he was! If something didn't eat him first, he ate it!
Or he was trying to hang on another pets' tail or someone's shoe.
Pulling on electric cords was fun, as was tackling throw rugs.
I swear he was on the go constantly while awake.
Outside was curiosity multiplied, something everywhere to investigate. He ran from
object to object, sniffing, barking, until he found out if it moved
or attacked. By the time he was three months old the lawn mower
was getting tuned for it's summer duties.
Hubby left it parked in the yard to come inside. Kota charged it,
putting on the brakes with hair standing on end, cocking his head.
He circled the riding mower acting scared, barking at this strange thing at the top of his lungs!
No amount of persuasion could convince him it was safe.
To this day if something different appears in our or a neighbors yard he acts the same
until he is use to it.
Bowser, our old mixed breed dog was upset with Kota from the start.
He had gotten used to having Bodie here even though he didn't
appreciate the fact. But I had REALLY done it this time in
Bowser's eyes. He stayed as far away from Kota as he could get.
It didn't help that Kota was fascinated by Bowser's indifference.
At first Bowser was safe on our bed upstairs, Kota
couldn't get up there. After many unsuccessful tries
he made it up the stairs. Bowser figured out
what was happening and passed Kota with flying colors!
This didn't deter Kota, only made matters worse. He would
manage to grab Bowser's tail and hang on.
That caused considerable trouble with Bowser turning into his protective
nature and grabbing Kota by the neck while shaking him.
Not wanting Bowser to hurt a small puppy kept
me on guard at all times.
Min was not pleased either. She was somewhat tolerant of him,
but not much. It was a continuing battle to keep
each dog in their perspective place. After many months,
Kota got accustomed to respecting their privileges to a degree.
Kota loves kids, especially our oldest grandson. They rough house
for hours, as long as one wants to play so does the other.
Our house has a big open circle connecting four rooms.
A favorite game is chasing each other around the circle. Outside,
Kota loves to chase our grandson when he rides his motorized car,
barking up a storm. The lawn up back is a great
place for them to run side by side.
They curl up together when finished and just chill, totally exhausted!
Kota is an avid TV fan! He watches movies with a certain
curiosity that has to be seen to appreciate. If an animal
is on a show he gets spastic, running close to the screen and showering it
with wet, sloppy kisses! Ever tried cleaning a TV screen plastered with tongue prints?
My Dad lets the dogs out when we go away for the day, they share a mutual bond.
Dad came to see Kota one day then left in his truck with Kota running behind it. Dad never noticed
Kota, but the neighbors did. They were all out in their yards yelling, "Way down, way down!"
waving in that direction as I ran after him. I watched with horror as Dad stopped at the stop sign
at the main road with Kota jumping up on the window on the driver's side. Dad saw him
for the first time, then tried to get him in the truck on his side. Kota ran
into the main road as cars came to a screeching halt. Terrified, Kota ran to the pasanger side
as Dad came around opening the door and lifting him into the truck. Being closer to home,
I headed there with my heart pounding. Dad got out of his truck looking like he had suffered
a massive coronary! I knew how he felt, believe me! Kota refused to get out of his truck
until Dad left the passanger door open and came inside with me. To this day when Dad leaves
Kota stays inside sadly watching him drive away.
Our son-in-law came on his four wheeler one day. When he left,
Kota ran after him, running safely behind with this look of total enjoyment
on his face. Knowing not to go in the road,
he turned around and came home with a sheepish look on his face.
The snowplow is one thing I still can't convince him he can not chase! I think it is the noise
the plow makes as it scrapes the pavement. I have to wait until the plow is done before
letting him out in the morning. He's better at listening but has a fascination with the snowplow.
This winter I have to curb that for his safety!
I have a fishpond in my yard with goldfish and blue gills in it.
Kota lays beside the pond watching the fish and frogs. Suddenly he pokes his whole head
under water trying to catch those silly fish. Of course
they are too fast, thank goodness. The squirrels and birds
I feed are another of his favorites. They have it all figured out,
listening for him to come charging out the door, tags on his collar jingling.
Inside he lays his head on the window sill watching them
with a mournful moan coming from his soul!
Showering is a feat if I leave the bathroom door open.
A big, black, wet nose comes bounding through the shower curtain
to catch the water from the shower hose! I'm fine with his silly game,
Hubby not so!
Kota is fifteen months old now and never growls at anyone.
He hears someone in the driveway or at the door, meeting them with nubby wags,
butt wiggling with anticipation. They are bombarded with licks
from head to toe as they come through the door. If a burgler
came in? He would probably knock him down trying to lick him.
I understand protecting what is his is a Rottweiler's nature, but I wonder
if Kota will ever know that!
From the beginning we noticed Kota had a noticeable limp. At eight
months of age, he was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia. This is a malformation
of the hip joint caused from heredity or rapid growth.
We took him to the same specialist that did Bodie's surgery. He agreed
with the diagnosis telling us it would have to be corrected surgically
when he reached a fuller potential of his growth, and explained
the options. I was devastated! Acquiring another dog after losing Bodie
was hard enough, let alone convincing my hubby. Now this...
When Kota was one year old, we made the appointment for his surgery.
I had carefully weighed all the options selecting a
FHO, Femoral Head Osteoectomy. Part of the ball in the joint is removed, it is safer
due to chances of infection are slimmer. Infection can only set in when the surgery is performed,
not all through life as in a total hip replacement. The surgery was done,
he did fine, much to my relief. He will always limp, but won't have pain like before,
and the arthritis is gone due to not having a joint. Scar tissue will form in the ball
between the socket providing a cushion. A limp is a small price to pay as far as I am concerned.
I am just thankful I have Kota, not someone who would never have done the surgery
to eliminate his pain. Having him neutered at five months solved the possiblity of ever passing it on.
His other hip is fine showing no signs of dysplasia, making the vet think it was an injury
in the birth canal. He's perfect in my heart and eyes!
Kota has a new past time, licking Hubby's bare feet as he reclines barefoot in his recliner.
Nothing has ever woke up Hubby when he sleeps, Kota fixed that!
Everyone I knew cautioned me about buying a Rottweiler. There are many myths about this breed,
they have been labeled as "vicious". I believe that no animal is mean unless made to be.
If they are treated with love and respect, a Rott will be lovable and respectful.
Rotts need a great amount of attention, they are "people dogs".
Exercise is of great importance to the breed. They are an intelligent animal
able to understand their owner's words and voice. If trained properly they listen well.
This takes time and patience, for they have a stubborn manner. Rotts are not for everyone,
you have to be devoted to them, give them time, love, and respect.
A Rott who is left tied to a dog coup isn't a happy Rott. Rotts need to be
with the ones they love, treated as one of the family. I have spent considerable
time and energy socializing Kota. Do I trust him around my grandsons? Yes, I do.
Kota would never harm those boys in any way. My grandsons also have been taught
to treat Kota nicely, respecting his rights.
The last two years have been rough for me, losing three much loved pets in that period.
Kota is the answer to my sadness, the cause for my joy.
He is an animal of great power, but knows his place. He sleeps beside me
at night, follows me during the day. He eats what I eat without question.
He understands and respects my moods as I do his. Kota gives me the love
and trust I need, the answer to my prayers, filling a much needed void after losing Bodie.
He's not Bodie, he's Kota! That's all I ever want or ask of him.
Kota fills my heart with love!
Bodie's Song
Bowser's Fever
Pet Ownership and Credits
Rottweiler Graphics Copyrighted by Peggy Rose
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