October 14, 2006 - November 6, 2015

Kodi was my choice, after eight weeks of watching and evaluating, to keep as my first show puppy.  I loved his head and his structure.  As he grew, I came to appreciate his movement and stamina.  Now, Kodi can go and go, gaiting the entire way.

When Kodi was nine months old, I took the bull by the horns and attended my first conformation class.  Two months later, we dove in feet first and went to our first dog show.  Everything I had ever heard or read advised against starting with a big show.  Unfortunately, I didn't have much in the way of options.  Kodi and I showed at the Rocky Mountain Cluster in Denver.  At Kodi's first show, he earned Best Puppy in Breed honors and compliments from one of the biggest names in the Mastiff breed.  Not ready to sit tight, Kodi and I forged on.  Our second show was a trip out of town to Ft. Worth.  Encouraged by the fact that we had managed to show without embarrassing ourselves, our next stop was the 2007 MCOA National Specialty in Houston.

Kodi was an incredibly good sport throughout my learning to show.  Kodi was not a dog that naturally enjoyed showing.  He did it only to make me happy and learned to enjoy it, slightly, along the way.  Because he had been so good about the crazy noise, the heat, the rain, the early morning car rides, the days spent crated at ringside, I was blessed to be allowed to learn about dog shows.  Kodi gave me my learner's permit.  Along the way, he made me incredibly proud.

Kodi's honors include earning his AKC Championship at the age of twenty eight months and his Grand Championship within months of the program's intitation. He was named "Best Bred By" at the 2008 MCOA National Specialty by the esteemed Mr. Edd Bivin, he earned selection into the top five dogs in the Tournament of Champions of the 2009 MCOA National Specialty, was invited to compete as a Bred By Champion at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships 2008 & 2009, received the honor of an invitation to the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England for 2009 & 2010, earned an Award of Merit at the Rocky Mountain Cluster 2009, and received recognition for multiple Best of Breed and Best of Opposite awards in the breed ring.  In addition to his AKC Championship titles and the multiple conformation awards, Kodi earned his CGC.

Although Kodi was successful in the conformation show ring, his greatest achievement was being by my side while helping to make my dreams come true.  I will forever be grateful to him for giving me the chance to learn and for being my friend, win or lose.

Once Kodi retired, he enjoyed the life of leisure that suited him best.  Although most people who met him through the conformation environment would never believe it, Kodi was a goof ball.  Those who got to see him settled and relaxed were rewarded by a cheerful dog with a silly sense of humor.  When out in our community, Kodi was a great ambassador for the breed.  He was confident that everyone he met was there just to say hello and give him a pat (and if he was lucky, a treat).

Kodi was a dog with a subtle but solid presence.  He was as sweet as any boy ever could be and he gave the best of hugs.  When I think of Kodi, I am always overcome with appreciation for his dedication to doing what I asked of him, whether he thought it sounded fun or not.  I will always be grateful for all of the amazing firsts that Kodi gave me and try to honor that gift.

                                                                                              Ch. Acorn Hill Uther Pendragon

                                                         Ch. Pegasus Southpaw Bear Rug

                                                                                              Ch. Ms Buffington Lady of Shadow

                        Chinafarm Tinwagon

                                                                                              Ch. Beauregard's Sweet Boy

                                                         Chinafarm Ms'Behavin

                                                                                              Ch. China Farm Poison Ivy

GCh Ch. Hancock's Kodiak Bear

                                                                                              Grandviews Amazin Royal

                                                         King George of Aurora

                                                                                              Brandy's Slobberchops Alexandr

                         Hancock's Bear Essentails                                         

                                                                                              Moonshines No Bull Dozer

                                                         Peppermint Patty

                                                                                              Quail Court's Chocolate Delight

Health Testing:  DNA Profile #V477449

                             Cystinuria – negative 5/08, 5/10

                             VonWillebrand factor trait (vWF:Ag) - Clear