Koda the shy Mastiff

Have you ever spent time with a Mastiff? I hadn't. It's one breed of dog I am not familiar with. I went to Alex and Sara's for dinner last night, to see them and my grandson Gabe and to let the kids play together. I knew they had a big dog. I've seen her on Face Book, but, every time I go there, they shut her in a bedroom. She never makes a sound. I figured it was because she's aggressive to strangers. I love dogs, as you know. Big and aggressive doesn't bother me. I also wanted to start putting my dog friends on here and telling a little about them. They are all so different.

I asked Sara, when am I going to meet this dog you have? She laughed and said, okay then. So, last night she let the dog out of their bedroom and here she comes. Holy shit. Mastiff's are massive! The muscle structure is unreal. They also have a droopy face and droopy eyes, which like St. Bernards, can be comical or menacing. You really have to read their mood, unless they smile. Koda was not smiling. I couldn't get a pic of the real Koda, but, I will. I found a pic that looks similar. Koda is mottled like that, in those colors. Her head is mottled too and she's taller than that dog. She's very big and muscular for a female...anything, actually. I couldn't get her pic, because it would have freaked her out for a week.

When Sara let her come into the living room with all of us, she warned me, do not look at her, don't call her, don't look in her eyes, just ignore her. Hmm, strange, but, I take my que from a dog's owner. As soon as Koda saw me sitting there with the kids, she gave a startled yelp and backed up. All of a sudden, I got her. I read her head, you know? She wasn't aggressive, she was scared. Seriously terrified of a new person. I avoided her eyes and eventually she cautiously walked past me to the patio, as far away as she could get. But, we had to go out. I needed a smoke and we don't smoke in their house. Plus, Gabe wanted me to go on the trampoline. Outside, the dog stayed on the opposite side of the patio, but, I could feel her checking me out intensely. I didn't look at her. After about twenty minutes, she got up the nerve to come sniff my foot. I said, 'Hi, Koda", real soft, but, it freaked her right out. She jumped high and gave a sharp bark. Then she stumbled over her own big feet and almost fell getting away from me. Then she streaked like a Greyhound down to the back yard, not looking back. It was funny and sad at the same time. Sara just laughed and shook her head.

I went down the deck stairs to the big backyard where the trampoline is set up. I had to use both railings to steady myself. It's high and steep. When I was halfway down, Koda came back. The way the deck is built she couldn't see me until she rounded a corner. She spotted me, blocking the deck entrance, and flipped the fuck out again. She lowered her gigantic head and barked and growled and did a nervous dance. With her size and droopy features, you could have easily mistaken it for a threat. She would have been scary as hell to some people. But, I had her number, so I just kept coming. She ran in circles about two feet from me and barked and growled. It seemed like she was telling me off. Sara must be used to people's fear, she came to the top of the deck and said, 'She just wants past you." I looked up and grinned and said, "I know, I got that. It's cool." Sara went back in, she knew I read her dog right. As soon as I gave the dog her path, she took it, lickety split, to get the hell away from me. I went out and let the kids bounce me silly on that damn trampoline. I told Lis she's a frickin' Amazon and Gabe is her flying Monkey. That thing is all netted, but, it's dangerous for old ladies. Those kids were outweighing me and using me like a nerf ball. I went back inside.

We had dinner and Koda doesn't beg. She's a very well behaved house dog, but, man, how does a dog that big live in your house, really? She sleeps in their bed. They must have a huge bed. I lived for 13 years with a St. Bernard, but, she hated being in the house. Anyway, after dinner, Koda cuddled up on the huge sofas with Sara and both the kids, but, to get there she had to walk past me. I didn't look at her. It took her three tries to get up the nerve. She did come over once and sniffed my flip flops again. Sara said, see? She'll get there. We both looked away and didn't say her name. You can't let her know you're taking about her. She's smart. Koda is one of the biggest dogs I have ever met, but also the shyest and most afraid. She's just terrified of everything and everyone but her own people. Sara has had her since she was a tiny pup, she's never been hit or abused. It's just her personality. It's weird as hell, isn't it? I'll get there with her eventually. (And get a photo of us.) You can't rush it or push it with an animal like Koda. They said it took a long time for her to warm up to Lissa, but, she did and now they're friends. She was scared to death of Lis. I wonder what makes some animals so afraid and nervous? I don't know if I could live with a dog like that, as sweet as she is. I'd feel sorry for her all the time. It would get on my nerves, I think. But, they're both real patient people and kind. And she is sweet as all get out.

Have you ever had an animal that was this shy and wouldn't get over it? What did you do? Did you just live with it?

See? The suckers get huge. Koda is ginormous. And they come close and size you up with those droopy red eyes. It's intimidating. What is the red eye thing about? I need to read up on this breed. I also wonder what makes someone deliberately choose a Mastiff, or any dog this big. I spent 13 years with a St. Bernard, and I even bought a farm because of her, but, I certainly didn't choose her. That is a whole nother story. I was actually so constantly cautious of my dog, her aggression and her size, that removing her from any public was necessary to my mental health. Being responsible for these huge dogs can be nerve wracking. Sara and Alex are lucky Koda is so non agressive. She may scare someone, but, she would never bite. Geez, that dog is so skittish if she saw her own reflection, she might die of fright though. Have any of you ever lived with a giant dog?