Kobe Biba
Gold Ribbon Rescue #07-106
We are sad to report that our friend, Kobe is gone.
Kobe was a South Austin stray. When we first saw his surrender photo, he
had the biggest, brightest smile you've ever seen. He had been recently
shaved, and he was as rotund as a watermelon. One look at Kobe, and you had
to laugh. We fostered Kobe, helping him diet; battling skin & severe ear
infections which took months to cure. Through it all, he made many friends &
was a delight.
When Kobe was finally proclaimed healthy enough for adoption, he made other
plans. Late at night, Kobe & I were in the living room. He burst off the
floor, ran 10 feet, and dropped -- he had a seizure. Instead of being
worried (a normal response), I burst out laughing, "Oh Kobe, you don't need
to do that. You can stay with us forever." I firmly believe that Kobe's
soul orchestrated that episode in order to stay, especially because he never
had another seizure.
Kobe's eyes were mesmerizing; he would gaze intently at us & was never the
first to look away. He loved the Nightly 5:00 Dog Drive; 7 Goldens in the
back of the Explorer, riding slowly to the mail box & around the
neighborhood. Kobe plaintively yodeled when we prepared supper: "Hurry! I
am starving! Please, please hurry!" He was Gary's little pal, helping him
shop at Home Depot -- no time to chat; he was in search of light bulbs &
fence posts. Stocky little Kobe loved walks through the neighborhood. Gary
teamed him with McCarthy, and the 2 dogs were a sight, Kobe trotting to keep
up with the long legged Komondor.
Kobe's normally cheery demeanor faded over the last several months. He grew
quieter & spent more time alone, resting. Tests found lymphosarcoma, a form
of cancer. On Saturday night, 05/09/09, we rushed him to the emergency vet,
but his body shut down. We were with him at the end.
Farewell, Kobe. We miss you.
Gary & Margo
Kobe is the happiest little fellow you'll ever run across...sunshiny & optimistic...we really, really like him. Just now, Kobe stopped by my chair to say hello. He likes to check in, saying how pleased he is to be a house dog & out of the animal shelter...He is very grateful, we can tell.
Kobe fits right in with our canine crew...no small feat, considering he is one of eight big dogs! When Milly, age 15, barks, "Don't step on me, you whippersnapper!", Kobe responds, "So sorry." When Zeppo, age 1, tears through the yard after a butterfly, Kobe trots after him. When it’s time for lunch, Kobe & Willie, age 4, zip to their respective crates. You might think Kobe would be ravenous, since he's chubby & on a diet—but in fact he is fairly particular about what he'll eat: he wants a dab of canned food stirred into the dry food... he'll eat bites of chicken liver, but not toast... strawberries were firmly rejected!
Kobe was shaved prior coming to rescue, and his fur is growing back nicely. We are giving him antibiotics, ear cleanings & baths, and his skin & ears are much improved already. He can't hear much, if anything; but he gets along fine by making eye contact and watching us, & it’s not an issue. When we're gone, sometimes we crate him, but more often he is baby gated in the front room... that works fine.
The family who found Kobe reports that he is very tolerant of children, and I'm not surprised. At our house, he is a definite pacifist...he gets along with everyone!
We just love Kobe, and you will too.