#331 BRODY/KODA (Keeshond X) Aurora, NE - Merchantville, NJ
BRODY, renamed KODA, a Keeshond mix, about 18 months, 50# male began his trip in Aurora with Driver Susan M. Arriving to pick him up, Susan was surprised to be met not only by the shipper, Judy H, but also by a reporter and photographer from the Aurora newspaper seeking pictures and an interview.
Susan's two little traveling companions, Kelly and Tinky, joyfully welcomed Koda on board with excited barking (talking). All was well until the second night when Koda slipped out of his harness when taken out for a walk at a rest area in preparation for going to bed.
He stayed in the area but neither Susan, two other drivers, nor could a state trooper entice Koda into grabbing range. The officer even opened up the back door of her squad car hoping he would jump in. No luck. They even enticed him to the door of the building with food but he stopped with his paws on the doorsill and wouldn’t move. Susan attempted to grab Koda’s fur at this point but he shied away.
Having already called the receiver, Sandra C, and Operation Roger, Sue W, about the situation, Susan was feeling heartsick. Unable to sleep well knowing Koda was outside, she awoke when her own pets let her know he was near the truck. Slipping on her wet shoes and clothes, she got out. This morning Koda was hungry and responded to the food in Susan’s hand. He finally came close enough for her to grab him and get the leash and harness back on him. Susan said Brody's body language was "Ok. Game's over." We learned later Brody/Koda had a history of slippiing his harness. Something we had not been told to be on the alert for.
Operation Roger Driver Susan M pu 1/31/09 del 2/2/09
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The following report is from Susan, the driver, and is found on myyango.com under Aunt Susan's Blog:
Friday, February 6, 2009
The one that "ALMOST" got away!!
I picked up Brody aka Koda in Nebraska last week. He is a Chow/Shepherd/Keeshon mix, about a year and half old. He is a rescue dog. His new adopted family lives in New Jersey and were eagerly awaiting his arrival. One dark night, I stopped at a rest area, after driving over 600 miles that day. I took him out for his nightly walk, and he slipped his harness and got away from me. There was snow on the grounds, and it was very cold out. He was all happy and excited and ran all around the rest area. Every time I got closer, he jumped away. Playing with me. He thought this was fun. Other drivers tried to help me catch him. I even brought out Kelly on her leash to lure him in closer so I can grab him, and it didn't work. He played with Kelly happily, but wouldn't let me get close enough to him to grab him. I tried throughout the night to catch him. I didn't want to give up on him. I didn't want to drive away and leave him there. I had a job to do, I had to get to my delivery in New Jersey for my trucking job. I called Sue, the founder of Operation Roger and left her a message. And I called Koda's new family in New Jersey, and Sandra just said she would pray for us she said I should try and get some sleep. I laid down for a few hours but couldn't really sleep. I heard my dogs Kelly & Tinky barking at him, as he ran and played around people that tried catching him too. He had his collar on with his tag for his new owners.
Finally, at 5:30am I put my shoes on, jacket, hat, and grabbed his leash and bucket of food to try and catch him again. This time I tried a different tactic. I put food in my right hand, squatted down like a baseball catcher, and had the leash in my left pocket, and had my left hand open. I swung my hands around in a windmill type motion, around and around, and he loved that. He would put his mouth trying to catch my hand with the food in it. He was getting a bit tired and hungry also. He got close enough and I grabbed his collar!! Victory!! His demeanor when I grabbed him was.... "Game Over" and he relented. I grabbed his bucket of food and started walking him back to my truck. Again, he started going backwards and wanting out of his collar. I grabbed him with both arms, lifted him (he weighed about 50lbs), and put him in my truck. He was not going to get loose from me again. That was a nightmare. I was so afraid that he would run into the interstate and get ran over and killed. He stayed in the rest area and knew that I was there, in my truck.
After he was back in the truck, he drank alot of water. He was very thirsty. He then layed down on the floor and slept soundly for a few hours. I was so relieved, that I could finally lay down and relax and try and get some sleep before I had to hit the road, for another 600 mile day!!. Sandra and I made arrangements for them to pick up Koda that evening, superbowl sunday, in Carlise, Pa. They drove about 3hrs to get there, and I drove all day and we met at about 11:00 pm. I listened to the Superbowl game on my satellite radio as I drove through the mountains in Pennsylvania. It helped keep me company and keep me awake. Sue, founder of Operation Roger, also said some prayers to keep me awake after that long, dark, dog chasing, then catching, night!! The following day, monday, I delivered to the customer in New Jersey for my trucking job. Before I went to get my next load, I had breakfast with Sandra at the truck stop in New Jersey. We had a nice chat. It was fun. And that is the story of Koda, the one that "almost" got away!!
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This email was received:
Monday, March 9, 2009 3:07 PM
From: To: "Operation Roger, operationroger01"
Dear Everyone at Operation Roger,
First let me extend my sincere apology for the very late thank you. I am writing about how you have helped create one big happy family! Our new pet is Koda (known to you as Brody). We found him on petfinders but he was in Nebraska and we are in New Jersey. I especially became discouraged as I checked into the air freight charges to bring him to us. After several googles on transporting pets, all of a sudden I found you, an answer to our prayers.
Koda arrived Super Bowl Sunday in Harrisburg Pa. We originally were going to meet in Swedesboro NJ, however Koda's wonderful driver had a rather harrowing experience with him in Jolliet, Ill and we both agreed she needed to no longer worry about him getting away and she also needed a good night's sleep. Harrisburg is a quick 2 hr. trip for us and we were anxious to repay Sue (his driver) for the awful evening she had with him the first night.
About Sue, what a wonderful new friend we have. We are in phone and email contact and will most likely remain lifelong friends. So not only did we find the new pet of our dreams, but we made a great new friend as well.
How can I ever express my gratitude for what you gave us and for what all of you do. I will be signing up for the monthly donation but it will not be until end of April, when I get my part time job back. Who writes the success stories? It appears the drivers do that? We have some very cute pics as well. Sue took several when she picked Koda up and also when we met him. I am certain you would enjoy them. I imagine Sue has also told you about the local newspaper doing an article about Operation Roger taking Koda to NJ. They took a cute pic as well.
Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Words simply can not adequately express my family's gratitude. Koda is a 47 lb lap dog who was apparently abused at some point demonstrated by terror any time someone lifts their hand in the air with an object such as back scratcher or grocery flier rolled up and lifted out of a bag. He is also afraid of coming in doors, and is often carried in by one of us. But little by little and day by day we can see the trust building. With four of us to love him all day and night it won't take long.
I hope there is a way that this thanks can be extended to all of your volunteers. There are so many unsung heros in this world and they need to know they are appreciated.
Have a blessed day and let me know what if anything I can send about Koda.
Love,
Sandy, Ariana, Adam and Koda!
ps we are seriously thinking about applying to transport for you. And hopefully after our two dogs are out of puppyhood and settled in a bit I would love to consider the layover help.
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