Welcome to July’s multiple-dog edition of ZENFUL Dog of the Month featuring—Kola and Kai. Kola and Kai were adopted together by their loyal and loving pet-parent—Nancy.
Kola and Kai
Kola is 8 and Kai is 3
“I may have rescued them, but really they have rescued me. They give my life a purpose and complete my life.” -Nancy
Meet Kola and Kai: Kola and Kai are mini spaniels who are truly bonded to one another as they are reportedly mother and daughter. Nancy adopted them in North Bay from a rescue group who explained they had been rescued from a puppy farm. Nancy was not given much more information about the pups, other than they had both had multiple litters and had lived in cages in a garage before they were rescued. They had never had the opportunity, by that point, to just be normal dogs. Because of this, they did not know how to behave.
Nancy describes Kola as seemingly looking at each new day as an opportunity to meet people—she just wants to be loved, get treats and lie in Nancy’s lap. She gleefully accepts kisses but both Kola and Kai are thrilled just to be spoken to. They don’t even care what you are saying—they just love being around people who care about them.
Nancy describes Kola as a very intelligent, loyal, kind, and ‘soft’ dog. Her four grandchildren (10, 8, 6 and 18 months) visited for Mother’s Day and even the baby was able to hug Kola and pull on her ears while she remained happy and gentle.
Nancy explains that Kai still has a long way to go but believes that she has already come very far—she credits ZENFULdog Training for playing a large role in that positive change. Kai may not quite be ready to trust the world but she has learned to trust a select few. She stands taller, looks at people she trusts in the eyes and now seldom shakes when people visit Nancy’s home. Nancy thinks that Kai is even more intelligent than Kola because she is a quick learner who is amazed by being spoken to and tries to learn something new each day.
Meet Kola and Kai’s Family:
Nancy (their pet-parent)—Nancy is a widow (of 7 years) who lives on a large farm independently. She was pet parent to a Sharpei named Genghi for 14 years who passed away in 2020. Nancy feels that adopting Kola and Kai has given her more purpose in her daily life—they fill her life with joy and they make her laugh every day. They also have helped her feel safer in her home since Kola will bark when anyone drives down her laneway.
Willow (cat-sibling)—Willow is a 6-year-old Ragdoll cat brother to Kola and Kai. Willow was not thrilled at first with his sisters but now he will chase them to the door and out to their new outside run then hide in the grass or lie on steps daring them to pass him—(too funny)!
Natasha (their favourite dog walker)—Kola and Kai adore Natasha. Natasha is young and loves to take them exploring the barn and to different areas. They get very excited when Nancy says ‘going to get Natasha.’ They stand by the door until Nancy returns with Natasha. Nancy sometimes brings Natasha along with them to ZENFULdog Training so that they can all learn together.
Nancy Describes Their Personalities:
Kola: Kola loves to greet anyone new saying—‘Hi, I’m Kola. I’m cute, do you have a treat?’
Kai: Kai is very shy. She will glue herself to Nancy until she is sure the newcomer is friendly and not loud. Then, she will peek out from behind Nancy and look at them. This is progress for Kai as she used to remain behind Nancy on the couch when a visitor arrived and shake until the visitor would leave. Kai never takes initiative and waits for Kola’s approval before taking any action. She will not even decide to go outside for a pee unless Kola does so first.
Nancy Shares The Most Unique Things about Them:
Kola: Kola trusts easily and is a bit lazy which Nancy says she has earned. She is very protective of Nancy and their home. Nancy has only ever seen Kola get upset once and that was when another dog came into their home and went to Nancy for pats. That was the first and only time Nancy ever heard Kola growl.
Kai: Kai is painfully shy and trusts no one. She seems to see every person as a potential enemy. She is easily spooked and stressed—she needs to have eyes on Kola at all times. It even took Kai a while to trust Nancy and Natasha but once she does build trust—she is the sweetest, most innocent dog who loves just hearing the voices of the people she loves. She also loves kisses. Nancy views Kai’s reactions as demonstrative that being spoken to in a caring way and getting kisses is all new to her.
Their Favourite Treats/Foods:
They both enjoy chicken and rice food
Kola is on a bit of a diet so has half diet food mixed in (she does not like her diet)
Kola loves any treat given to her but loves chicken strip dog treats the most
Their Favourite Activities:
They have plenty of toys but don’t seem to have a clue about how to play with them
They have only very recently started to play with one another
Kola loves to sleep
Kai loves to lean on Nancy and watch television
How They Each Unwind:
Kola and Kai do not get wound-up so they don’t have the need to unwind
Nancy recently completed a dog run for them and they run out to it 6 or 7 times a day
They love trying to avoid Willow who crouches on the steps or in the grass daring them to pass him
If They Each had a Human Voice:
Nancy remarks that Kola is a lot like Garfield the cat eating lasagna while Kai is the scared mouse in the corner.
Their Training
Nancy Tells Us How Training has Shaped Kola and Kai:
ZENFULdog Training private sessions have given Kola, Kai and Nancy more confidence. Nancy had never had a rescue animal before and had never seen dogs so shut down and sad.
“Kendra is so patient and understanding and has given me such great advice on moving forward. She is never in a rush and takes the time to make them feel comfortable. They have blossomed under her care and knowledge.”
Nancy Describes Their Biggest Training Challenges:
The biggest challenges have been to help them to trust and make them feel safe. During the first week of training, Nancy never left their sides—then she slowly eased away. Nancy is trying to make them feel like dogs after they probably felt like things to be used. When first adopted, they destroyed her couch but now the most significant things they destroy are newspaper flyers—progress!
Nancy describes Their Biggest Training Success:
Kai: The biggest success with Kai has been seeing her start to have confidence. When Nancy first took her and Kola to ZENFULdog Training, Kai was low to the ground cowering in the corner and made no eye contact. She would follow Kola but not go anywhere or explore anything alone. Now, she runs, pays attention when spoken to and her biggest accomplishment is that she learned to sit! While it may sound simple, Nancy notes that nothing has been simple for them.
Kola: Kola is learning to listen and not to have to be leaning or lying on Nancy at all times. She is very friendly but she struggled to listen.
Their Most Rewarding Training Moments:
Nancy describes the most rewarding outcome from training as getting to witness how happy Kola and Kai are at ZENFULdog Training. She can tell that they feel free and like they are finally allowed to be dogs!
“Kendra makes the training into a game they can do and never expects too much from them. She doesn’t get frustrated when they can’t or won’t complete a task. I am so grateful to Kendra for her wisdom and patience with Kola, Kai and me!”
Kendra adds: “Nancy is such a beautiful and sweet person who took in two beautiful dogs in desperate need of a good forever home. Kola and Kai had endured a lot at their previous location. When Nancy first arrived at ZENFULdog Training with them, they were shaking all over and too fearful to do anything but cower. Their world had once been small and unkind. They didn't yet trust that the people around them would be gentle, patient and understanding.
We took our time to give them choices and space—their new pet-mom not caring about skill/obedience results but how best to help them build confidence. Seeing them broke my heart and made me angry for what people could put another sentient being through. Thankfully, seeing the love from Nancy gave me renewed hope that for every mean and cruel person there is an amazing person like her to make the world better—to give innocent dogs the lives they deserve.
Through their incredible journey so far, both Kola and Kai are happy, playful and much more confident! They have a loving home and support from both Nancy and their wonderful friend, Natasha, who helps with the dogs (I think helping them might help her in return). I am privileged to be a small part of their incredible journey.”
A very special “Thank You!” goes out to Nancy for providing so much of the content for this feature. Don’t forget that you can followZENFULdog Training on Facebook to stay connected to your like-minded, dog-loving community every day. Happy July!
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