Welcome Kuma McCoy!

We got Kuma March 17, 2007 from C.A.A.W.A. at the Pet Depot in Cullman-the same place we got Jessie back in June of 2006

He was 5 months old, he was found at the landfill with 2 siblings. He is part border collie and part Belgian sheep dog. He was already neutered when we picked him up. He weighed 35 pounds.

He had almost no personality when we got him, but he was docile without looking deviant and Jessie loved him right off.

It took a couple of days for him to warm to us, but he quickly learned his new name-he was 'Paws' in his former life as a foster puppy. Kuma means 'bear' in Japanese and his middle name is after Dr. McCoy from Star Trek only because I wanted to name him 'Bones' but no one else did and 'Kuma Bones' sounds like a line of dog treats.

Kuma is very bright and is quick to learn.

He and Jessie are best buddies, running all over the yard and pasture and playing in the creek all day long.

He stayed in his kennel for the first 3 nights, but since then has slept with Jessie on the floor in our room.

He has proven to be worth the initial effort of working with him, he is very quick to learn and responsive-with us. Everyone from close friends to total strangers have mentioned he does not look like 'there is anyone home'. I think he is just happy with the pack he has and is not looking to expand it. There are days when I can relate to that.

Kuma at 11 months
65 pounds

At a little over a year old, Kuma is proving to be a good dog. He is valiant in his efforts to keep our house and yard protected. Often, I look out the back window to see Jessie sacked out snoring and Kuma, alert and watching. He is first up to investigate a noise, he herds the kids in if they get further than he thinks they should go and if I move from one room to another, so does he.

He will never be a 'people' dog. He does not run to be petted on by visitors-he wants to get a good whiff of them and then decide how to react. His manner is abrupt, like a person who answers the phone with "Who is this?" instead of 'hello'. We all MEAN 'who is this' but are usually too polite to just say it. Not Kumzie. "Who are you, what are you, what is your business here, stop there."
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At 18 months, Kuma is just shy of 80 pounds and as his puppy ways are slowly replaced with a bit more restraint and decorum, he is becoming a wonderful dog. 

Werewolf!
Kuma LOVES the snow.  We hope next winter will bring more snow!

Kumzie at 19 months and 80 pounds.  He is full-grown now-I hope!
He is a bit bigger than Jess, but submits to her without question.  They are an excellent pair, I doubt I could have looked for months and found a better-suited set of dogs that were not litter mates.

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At 4, Kuma is the best dog, he is well mannered and obedient, he is protective of the house and kids, he has developed his personality and it is wonderful. I am so glad we chose him and stuck with him. He has turned out to be a sweet and loving puppy.

Kuma is 5 now! He's such a good boy, I am sad to see the grey coming in around his muzzle. It's going too quickly!