Hearts in Hawai'i
A Tribute to Kimo (2012)
3/21/2025
These entries (and the ones on following blog entries) are mostly pulled from Facebook posts I made at that time.
Friday, July 27
Heading over to Ashland tomorrow to look at a new potential family member (dog). I want something that eats disruptive people. Patty seems to be more flexible.
Saturday, July 28
Harold (note: this was Kimo's name before we adopted him) is interesting. Pretty mellow once he's away from the other dogs (especially Fred, the next door border collie who seems to enjoy making him a little nutso), medium size, won't get much bigger. Very smart, will do well with obedience training. Patty loves him. I think he'll do well with us but will need some time acclimating to our house. Oh, a little "messy" as they described him. Someone previously expressed interest so we'll see what happens with that.
When we arrived, he was running alongside an edge of an outside kennel he was in. On the other side of the cage was a Border Collie named Fred. Staffers at CHA couldn't get Kimo's attention long enough to retrieve him from the kennel because he was so distracted by Fred. So they decided to remove Fred--when they did, Kimo lunged at the cage, getting his snout through the cage and biting Fred! Fred yelped and I immediately thought "Good God, what kind of devil dog are we looking at here?" 
But he was fine after we got him on a leash and took him for a walk on one of the paths they had outside the facility. He knew "sit" already and didn't pull (much) on the leash while I was walking him. A very pretty dog who is being advertised as a "lab/husky" mix. But we knew there was some Pit Bull there and also come Chow Chow from the purple/black patches on his tongue. There was little doubt he'd be a handful if we wanted him and they approved our adoption application.
Monday, July 30
Our application has been approved, and Harold has been offered to us. After some discussion and questions, we've decided it's a go. We pick him up Saturday. To say Patty is geeked is an understatement of epic proportions.
Tuesday, July 31
Up to Walmart and Petco tonight to get supplied up for Kimo's (The Dog Formerly Known As Harold) arrival on Saturday. Cage, treats, collar, leash and other essentials.
Saturday, August 4
Having arrived at CHA early this afternoon, we paid the fee, signed forms which stated we would be committed to taking care of him, would take him to the vet as needed and then we took Harold/Kimo for his final walk on the trails to settle him down a little bit. He said goodbye to the staff, and then took one final walk through the inside area, stopping to look inside each kennel as if he was saying goodbye. And then it was up into the back seat (he wasn't exactly sure how to get up there at first but eventually figured it out). Patty sat in the back seat with him and we were on our way back to Duluth and Kimo's new life!
We had to stop on the way back to get out and stretch our legs, so Kimo took the opportunity to crap. It seems that's all he did on his first day with us! He crapped first thing when we got home and then three or four more times during the late afternoon into the evening. He reminded me of Parker the Pooper, who Patty used to walk back in her dog walking days when the Animal Shelter was down by the WLSSD plant. He did seem to really like the area up by the mailboxes and it turned out to be “his spot” for the first several weeks we had him.
Patty and I had gone to Petco the previous week and purchased a metal dog kennel for keeping Kimo in—we didn’t feel comfortable leaving a puppy loose in a house he wasn't familiar with while we were away running chores or going to work. On the first night, he walked right into his cage, laid down and went to sleep. So far, so good, we thought.
We and Kimo wore ourselves out today! A lot of stress for him being relocated, but he handled it extremely well. That dog is a tank! Funniest part was when he taunted me with his nylon bone, tearing ass back and forth. He loves chasing tennis balls but isn't crazy about giving it back yet. He's crashed in his kennel, so Patty and I get some time alone.
Looking at one of Patty's potted plants, no doubt wondering if it's tasty!
Sunday, August 5
Kimo's first night in his kennel was perfect. Not a bark. Not a whine. Slept straight through. Patty woke him early this morning to go outside. I got up, fed him, then got into a spirited tug of war with his pull toy. Now he's tired again! I had forgot how much puppies like to sleep.
Wednesday, August 8
Kimo update: After coming home from work to find him fast asleep, took him for a walk in the rain. After toweling him off and playing in the garage, guess what? We both smell like Kimo! Although he may have a different take on this.
Satan, the Dog Formerly Known As Kimo...well, you get the picture on how he is tonight. Obedience classes can't come quick enough for the sweet, lovable little shit
Showing off with one of his toys, probably daring me to try and take it!
Thursday, August 9
Kimo update: Came home from shopping, let him out of his kennel. He usually goes a little nuts at the sniff of freedom. Today, he came over and sat next to the couch where I was sitting. Scratched his back and behind his ears, and he kicked back, content in doing nothing but enjoying the touch. Stayed like that for ten minutes. Then Patty came into the living room and quiet time was over. Not blaming her. Just sayin'.
Friday, August 10
Now given access to the upstairs; wasn't sure what to make of us on the bed taking a nap. Jumped up but wanted to play so was told to get down. Got to explore my office, seems to like being in there with me. Especially when I'm eating toast.
Saturday, August 11
Kimo update: That harness we bought from Petco which allegedly works with a car seat belt doesn't work. We need the extension device. Which is an extra $10, of course. Thanks, Petco!
Learned something today; to get Kimo to lie down in his cage, all I have to do is stand next to the cage and look down at him. He goes from stand to sit to lay in about five seconds. Interesting...
He loves the Western Waterfront Trail, with tons of new smells to investigate. I'm learning that other people walking their dogs are fearful of Kimo. Being a 40 lb monster, you know (shaking head)
Kimo and me taking a quick break on the trail
Sunday, August 12
Kimo update: He weighs 42.6 lbs! Hard to tell if he's grown in the eight days since we got him. Very little if any, it seems. He got to meet five new humans and a new dog today, with predictable results (good with human, not so with dog).
I've noticed three distinct barks he has (yes, he's barking now but not much). His Intruder Alert bark is his lowest bark. Higher when he wants to play, in-between when he sees people and dogs from the car.
Speaking of the car, he likes his new seat belt harness and is getting comfortable riding with us. Thought he wouldn't like being alone in the back, but he's just fine with it.
He still won't crap with Patty. Just me. Oh, goody.
Tuesday, August 14
Daily Kimo update: He's pooping with Patty now! She's not exactly overjoyed with this particular development, but suffice to say I'm satisfied. He barked at his reflection in the mirror tonight. He's getting better at minding me. With Patty? Not so much. He seems to think the pack order is 1) Me 2) Him 3) Patty. We'll need to work on that.
Man, I love coming home to him at the end of the workday.
Wednesday, August 15
Kimo update: To the vet today! Got examined and microchipped. It took three people to hold him on the table, and he screamed when he got chipped. The vet says "There's no sign of meanness in him. He's a good boy, just a wild child". Pretty much sums it up.
Stressful day for Kimo. He crashed out next to the dining room table while we were eating. Now that's relaxed.
Friday, August 17
Kimo update: Ran out of his kennel this morning, then rolled over on his back for some belly scratching from Mom. First time he has done this! He is bonding strongly with Patty nowadays. He also knows he can stretch the limits of allowed behavior with her when I'm not in the room.
Saturday, August 18
"Whatcha got up there, Mom?"
Monday, August 20
Had him out of the cage tonight, I laid on the floor and he was sitting next to me enjoying being petted and scratched. After about ten minutes, he got up and went back into his cage where he crashed out. It was the first time he's gone in there on his own. Nice!
His leaping ability and speed are impressive. Agility dog potential?
Wednesday, August 22
I brought Kimo downtown to meet some of my co-workers at the Government Services Building. Upon seeing him, one lady said “What a little sweetie!” as he went back and forth getting attention from everybody. He certainly enjoyed the attention but was quite the handful on the leash that afternoon.
Saturday, August 25
Apparently, Patty thought it would be good for Kimo to charge upstairs, jump on the bed and wake me up at 5:00 this morning. Nothing like a wet dog tongue invading your ear canal to start off the day. He's cute, tho!
Sunday, August 26
He was being a little jerk, so he got to visit his kennel. I was lecturing him and he fell asleep mid-lecture. I mean, what the hell???
We found something that keeps him from jumping up on us and biting; a quick water squirt. No idea how long this will work. It may eventually take a Super Soaker
Monday, August 27
It started off as a normal "play session" with Kimo in the garage. First, we played a quick game of fetch with his tennis ball. While he enjoys this, he tends to lose interest after running the ball down several times. Besides, he's already looking forward to what is next--tug of war! We go back and forth across the garage with his favorite rope toy. The final act consists of me relinquishing the rope, where I then chase him around the garage while he plays keepaway with the rope. This seems to be his favorite part.
Normally both cars are pulled out of the garage so as to maximize space for the session. Tonight I decided to leave Patty's car in the garage; while it still left us with plenty of space, it did cut down on the available area. And this fed into what was to happen.
At one point, he tore ass around the back end of the car, running between the car and the garage wall. I ran up toward the front of the car, intent on intercepting him when he appeared around the front end. He came around the front end faster than I had anticipated. Instead of dodging around my legs, he ran right through them! At this point, simple physics took over. If you have a person in motion and you stop his feet, the rest of him will continue forward. In my case, head first onto the concrete garage floor, doing an imperfect three point landing; right wrist, chest, forehead!
The fall didn't knock me out, it knocked me surprised. The next thing I was aware of was holding my hand out on the garage floor, catching the blood which was drip, drip, dripping from the gash on my eyebrow. And Kimo trying to lick my face, of course.
This cut wasn't going to stop bleeding on its own, and made worse by the fact I'm taking Plavex (a blood-thinner), Patty had to drive me to Essentia's Urgent Care. It was three hours before they got around to stitching me up. Three hours! I was actually slightly relieved by this, as they apparently thought I wasn't in too bad shape. So they left me there to soak towel after towel with blood as I waited.
Eventually, the cut required five stitches.
Kimo? He was fine, of course. A bit bummed, probably not because I got hurt but because he had to spend those three hours in his kennel until his humans returned home.
Here is how it looked when I got home:
Wednesday, August 29
Quiet time after eating a new dish (Mexican Lasagna). Patty has Kimo out for a walk. We're defining some new rules for him, including no access to the upstairs. We think all that space up there was making him a little crazy, since that's how he acted every time he got up there. Also, no playing except in the garage. Since we all know how well that's worked out for me so far.
One month before he starts obedience school.
Thursday, August 30
Greeting by a co-worker this morning; "So, how's it going....Rocky?". Heh.
Saturday, September 1
He got his second bath today! Kimo wasn't too stinky as he doesn't go in the woods, doesn't roll around in his own shit, etc. But his paws were getting a little...ripe. He didn't like it much other than the opportunity to shake himself off, getting me even wetter. Patty and I need some "us time" so we're off to the Duluth Grill, Menards and Petco.
Sunday, September 2
Getting ready to head out on a walk with Patty on a gorgeous early Autumn day!
Monday, September 3
Kimo is up three lbs in the past three weeks, to 45.6. He got bored watching us eating our Teriyaki Sirloins, so fell asleep. Man, he can be mellow sometimes, and then BOOM. Goes from 0 to psycho in 1.2 seconds.
Tuesday, September 4
Kimo got his first garage play session since the "incident". We both loved it. He wasn't too interested in playing fetch and wanted to go straight to the tug-of-war. Damn, he's strong and agile...
Friday, September 21
Kimo disappeared into the kitchen last night; Patty heard a rustling sound, got up to investigate and found Kimo nosing into her jacket pocket. Before she could get to him, he got to the tasty biscuit inside the pocket. Crunch, crunch, crunch. I thought she should be grateful he didn't eat her jacket, too.
Saturday, October 6
He's now "doing his business" right by the house. You might think that a small gain, but it'll be big on those -10 January mornings not having to walk a block to his former favorite spot!
He now also sits and waits (not exactly patiently) for his food dish to be put down. Upon hearing "go get it!" he pounces and woofs down his meal.
Gotta work on that jumping up on people. The dog obedience classes, starting next Monday, will help.
Sunday, October 7
I need to find Kimo's meth dealer....this boing-boing-boing gets old some days. And I tackle like a Tennessee defender trying to stop Percy Harvin. Damn
Monday, October 8
First obedience class went fairly well. He was a little nutso at the start, but then settled down (once he realized we weren't going to let him sniff every dog's butt). Did the sit and stay well. The training collar (choke chain) is a godsend. By class end, he was walking alongside me at a decent speed with little correction needed, and going to a sit position with just a slight tug on the chain.
They sent us home with homework. Heh.
Wednesday, October 10
Got his nails trimmed today and he screamed bloody murder. What a wimp. Oh, he was much better after the lady at Bark Avenue (love that name) gave him treats! He did great on the training collar today.
Oh, there were two other dogs at Bark Avenue, standard poodles. Kimo paid them no attention. That's a first for him. I think he's getting used to dogs to the point of "What, you have no treats? Screw you."
Most everyone who meets Kimo has the same basic sentiment; "What a cute face!". Which he has, in that "innocent until your back is turned" sort of way. He's turning out to be smarter than I had earlier suspected and studies *everything*. He's also very strong willed which can be a pain at times.
Friday, October 12
Here is your Cute Kimo pic of the day!
Saturday, October 13
When serving his food today, he went and sat without being told, and waited (somewhat) patiently until I told him "ok, get it!". No "sit", no "stay". Pretty good just six days into training.
He'll also sit on one end of the room after the sit and stay commands, waiting for me to crouch down on the other side of the room, clap my hands twice and say "C'mere!". And then he charges and barrels into me. Oh, well. One step at a time.
He's up to 50 lbs, gaining 2.2 in the last 23 days. 50 lbs of furious tank
Just goofing off!
Monday, October 15
Tonight's dog training class was stressful. But he did find time to "mark his territory" After they mopped it up, we carried on. At least he didn't crap like one dog did.
This is hard work! I worked up a decent sweat. We thought Kimo was exhausted but he still had enough energy to tear around the coffee table with his nylon bone after we got home.
He needs a *ton* of practice on the "drop" command. He's still way too focused on what the other dogs were doing, also
Wednesday, October 17
Ever have one of those where your dog runs into you so hard you go "Oh, that's gonna leave a mark"? That just happened. Should be a beaut of a bruise on my shin bone in a couple days.
Thursday, October 18
Just as Patty finished dumping freshly dried clothes back into the laundry basket, Kimo decided to jump into the basket. No idea why it was inviting to him other than the warmth. Strange dog.
The "experiment" of leaving him alone for ten minutes while I went upstairs resulted in one Chap Stick tube gnawed on. And he apparently thinks the couch is his when we're not looking as that was where I found him.
There is always something new to work on with him, I guess
Monday, October 22
Week three of Kimo's dog training. We'll see what horrors they inflict upon us trainers tonight. He needs a new training collar, as he is in-between sizes, so the traditional metal one won't work. They have leather ones which are supposedly easier to use. For a price, of course!
He did fairly well tonight, equipped with a new training collar which the trainer likened to "power steering". He grew tired and distracted toward the end, and then zonked out in the car on the way home. Tons of stuff to remember, trivial stuff you'd think wasn't important. But the trainers think this stuff is all important so we do these things the way they tell us.
Saturday, October 27
Patty didn't secure his case properly before leaving and he found his way out while we were out to dinner. Crapped in the master bedroom, tore apart the garbage can in my office. No other damage we can see. I'm not pissed at Kimo; he wasn't the one who left his case partially open.
Okay, I thought that was all he did until I went to bed, and realized my pillow was damp and smelled like corn chips! Kimo peed on my pillow! Fine, message received
There is a website pertaining to "dog shaming" where they are featured along with a note of their offense. Here is Kimo's contribution
Monday, October 29
Class went well tonight. They upgraded him (again) to a better training collar as the previous ones weren't working with his strength. This one has metal spikes in it. It's not as bad as it sounds. It doesn't cut him, but it makes correcting him very easy with little effort. Once he was used to it, he did great. Other than whining all damn hour, that is. He wanted to be with mom who was watching from just outside the training area.
In general, it was his best session so far. Encountered a neighbor dog, sat on command and just watched as the other dog went a little gonzo from a distance. Still needs some work on the stand/stay command, but he's getting there.
His reaction to me putting on my gorilla mask was predictable; he went ballistic, trying to jump up and bite my ape face. It took a little time to bring him back below the red line.
Wednesday, October 31
Kimo on bug patrol tonight; saw a bug, jumped it, stomped it, bit it in half, then rolled on it. Yes, I know....we're easily amused here
Saturday, November 3
It's bath night! (Yep, we sure party on Saturdays,
don't we?). Having a garage with drainage is huge when the alternative is bathing your dog outside on a 37 degree evening. Kimo is now freshly washed and all three of us are freshly wet.
Monday, November 5
Session five of Kimo's training tonight; we've worked hard this past week on things he's learned so far. We'll see how tonight goes. Hopefully he won't whine all hour. Whatababy.
Kimo thought pitching a fit at training tonight would help. It did not.
Other than that (happened near the end of class, and he was tired of being a good dog, I think), he did pretty well. He did surprisingly well at walking alongside me without benefit of the leash. Struggled with the stand/stay, but that's nothing new for him. Whined the last twenty minutes of class. At least it wasn't the entire class this time!
He's zonked out in his kennel. Probably dreaming of putting his training collar on me and yanking it around a little....heh heh.
Tuesday, November 6
When one of us is upstairs & the other downstairs, Kimo now had free rein to roam both levels. The only exception is access to the master bedroom is still denied. Too much stuff in there (stuffed animals) for him to happily destroy.
It's been interesting watching him move between the floors according to his excitement or boredom level.
Friday, November 9
Kimo acted like a little b**** today. He got kenneled twice. Some days he just doesn't listen. Damn kids today :)
Monday, November 12
Kimo had a full day, starting off with attacking the snow outside which had fallen on his favorite "spot". Then he managed to take a nap on the bed with Patty and I, and actually slept! (This was a first) He's off to session #6 of dog training in an hour. I'm thankful for days like this when he sheds his Demon Dog outfit
Tuesday, November 13
A few minutes ago Kimo walked upstairs, into my office, and crashed on the floor. Maybe he's just trying to avoid being put into the kennel tonight. You know, "But Dad, I can lay here and be good on my own! Really!!"
Yeah, until we're asleep and he ravages my office. Again.
Friday, November 16
A long walk today up to the newly paved Kirkus Street; it's still closed to traffic so was the perfect spot to stop and do some training!
But he pushed my buttons by escaping from his cage tonight while Patty and I were out. The latch wasn't completely closed so he was able to somehow get it open and free himself where he savaged a bag of chips and Patty's "book barrel". It's days like this I sort of regret adopting him. And then there are days....
Saturday, November 17
Probably relocating the Wild Child's cage upstairs to Patty's sewing room. Limited amount of damage he can do there should he break through the door now secured with TWO locks! And now he's earned two new nicknames; Houdini and Escape Artist.
Sunday, November 18
After I left for Perkins tonight, Patty said Kimo paced back and forth and whined. He tried to jump up on my spot on the couch. He looked up the stairs and whimpered. Cute. We don't call him LBK (Little Baby Kimo) for nothing
Tuesday, November 20
Kimo has figured out how to flip the latch up and out, allowing him to squeeze through the other part of the cage. I didn't think it possible until he thundered upstairs to join me in the office a few minutes ago. I was impressed! Two locks on the cage solve his little Houdini act, however
Thursday, November 22
Opened up the garage door to let Kimo out and encountered a big snow drift right in front of the door! He blasted through it. Then went running around the driveway like he was in training for the John Beargrease.
He's sleeping in our bedroom tonight; it should be interesting to see how this goes.
Friday, November 23
Kimo is one year old today! Gave him a present (a rubbery bone wrapped in newspaper), which he was thankful to receive. He's hanging out up in my office while Patty is at the Fitness Center. Damn, it's cold and snowy out there today!
Friday, November 30
Kimo fell out of bed last night! Literally. We were awakened by a loud THUD sound; apparently he was sleeping too close to the edge of the bed and rolled right out. After a little coaxing, he jumped back up where he spent the remainder of the night planted firmly in the middle between us.
If he had his own Facebook page, he'd be all "Guys, I was having this great dream last night about an unlimited biscuit buffet, and all of a sudden my ass was bouncing off the floor! And then my humans laughed! Oh, the indignity".
Poor little guy. He gets an extra treat in his Kong this morning.
Friday, December 7
Now upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning, from 6 pm Saturday through midnight on Sunday. 8+ inches of snow expected. After they plow our driveway (probably on Monday morning), I'll be clearing out Kimo's favorite area where he "does his business". Maybe I'll fashion a tiered area of snow, one to poop, one to pee.
Nah, he's not spoiled. Not spoiled at all.
Got his nails clipped again today. He screamed bloody murder. That was before she started clipping, heh. What a wuss.
Tuesday, December 11
Outside play time with Kimo today got a little.....snowy. Especially when I jumped into the snowdrift with him. I need a ratty parka for these events so he doesn't slobber all over my nice one!
Friday, December 14
Kimo's favorite activity, by far, is romping in the snow. He attacks it. He scoops up piles of it in his mouth. He rolls in it. He loves me tossing him into it and then getting tackled in it. We were both white from head to toe by the time we were finished.
Sunday, December 23
Woke up at 2 a.m. to the sound of yips. Kimo was laying on the floor, having a bad dream. Rescued him from his nightmare and got him up on the bed between us. Man, he dreams a lot!
Tuesday, December 25
How can he see around that thing?!
Previous: 3/20/2025--A Tribute To Kimo--preface
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