Kuma

Kuma (also called Kumasan, which means “little bear” in Japanese) is a 6-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who likes nothing better than placing her head on a warm lap. She loves the special attention she gets at Elmwood Lodge, a housing facility for women of all ages.  She knows when it’s time to go for our visits: I pull out her bandana, special leash and my badge and she runs up to me, tail wagging, eager to go!   

When visiting the Lodge, Kuma’s favourite activity is curling up on the couch, between some of the residents, to be petted.  She likes to roll over on her back on the floor, swinging her tail and feet back and forth, while the ladies take turns rubbing her belly.  Kuma also thinks it’s great if she can sit beside them while they hold her leash – that way she can reach up and give them kisses and hear them giggle. 

Kuma is an “old soul.”  She is a sweet, friendly and outgoing dog with love to spare.  Kuma is very active: she loves to retrieve sticks on land or in water (and will do it forever if you let her) and also loves hiking, swimming and cross-country skiing.   

She has her Canadian Good Neighbour (GCN) certification, her first level of competitive obedience (CD) and is working on her second level (CDX).  Kuma is also a working gun dog and earned her first retrieving title (WC) in the summer of 2011.  

We have been with OTD for almost a year now and enjoy it so much that we hope to be with them for a very long time!