Q: What is your dog's name, breed and age?
A: Kore, Nova Scotia Duck Toller Retriever/Poodle mix, 6 years old.
Q: How did you decide that you wanted to bring a dog into your family? How did you find Kore and why did you select her?
A: My husband and I had a golden retriever when we first met, and Jake unfortunately passed away in March of 2019. I have always grown up with at least one dog, and we wanted our children to have that same bond.
We had been on the waitlist for a service dog, but they have strict rules about no other dogs in the house so we knew we could not get another dog until we found out if we were accepted into the program. We were very low on the list, and we decided to research service dogs that had been trained, but not yet certified.
At the time we had three young boys (a 6-year-old and two 3-year-olds), one with epilepsy and one who is blind/deaf and has PKS. We knew we could not train a puppy, so we found Dogs Downtown in Chantilly and met with them regarding our needs.
We tested with a few dogs to see how they reacted to my son’s wheelchair and his talking device. Kore tested the best and so we started the process.
Q: Why did you select Kore over a different type of dog?
A: Kore had a great disposition and did not have any anxiety about the three little kids and all our extras. She instead just carefully stood up and gave me a hug, and we knew she was the right one.
Q: Kore is the sweetest, most gentle dog with a great disposition for grooming. But you lovingly describe Kore as a "failed" therapy dog. Why?
A: After we brought Kore into the house, we found it very challenging to stick to the strict schedule of her working vs. not working. We preferred to keep her out of her crate instead of in her crate to rest when she was not working. Kore could have been trained to sense seizures on my oldest son or as a mobility assistant for Andy [one of the twins]. There were so many possibilities, and we could not decide which she would be best suited [for].
She has now found her niche as the best bed tester. She is a bed hopper. She will start in one bed and after they [the boys] wake up she goes to the next and then to the next. She will go into each bed each night until she finds the one that fits her the best for that moment. She has her own dog beds on each floor of the house. Sometimes she blends into all the stuff animals on the beds.
Q: Kore is a curly coated dog. When came into your life, was there any aspect of taking care of her coat that you found surprising? Confusing? Difficult or easy?
A: Yes, our golden retriever was a huge furry teddy bear that was a shed monster. Jake did not require as frequent grooming and did not have all the layers like Kore. Kore had some pretty bad haircuts until we found Erin who knew how to cut and groom our curly haired girl. Kore gets her hair done more than anyone in the house-every four weeks!
Q: How do you take care of Kore's coat at home between professional grooming sessions?
A: I use a dematting comb to get the deeper hair and then a slick brush to poof her up. It is a challenge because she is always getting into things.
Q: How has your relationship with Kore enriched your life?
A: She has been a huge support. As mentioned, she may not be a therapy dog anymore, but she still knows when anyone needs comfort even neighbors who come over. She will sit right in front of them and allow them to pet her and they all comment on how calm it makes them feel.
Q: And I notice there are lots of visitors to your home! Does Kore take this in stride?
A: Kore definitely takes it all in stride. Our house is always full of people and she embraces all of them. […] One of her names is party girl!
Q: When I think of Kore and your family, a welcoming home and sense of community comes to mind. How does Kore fit into this?
A: She greets everyone at the door with a gentle hug and then sits next to them for a pet. We have not met a person yet that does not feel her gentleness [… ] Kore is always smiling and some call her a boujee poodle or her other nickname is CoCo as in CoCo Chanel.
Q: Yes, Kore is a welcoming pup, and she usually wears a flower or bow collar. Is this part of her Coco Chanel style?
A: We tried to wear bandanas on her for holidays and different dress up occasions but she would bite and eat them until they would come off. I found the bows and flowers online and she leaves them completely alone. I think it is definitely more her style and personality. She probably had at least 10 bows or flowers. We change them for the different seasons and holidays.
Q: Speaking of holidays, what daily and seasonal activities do you engage in that foster this sense of community in your home and neighborhood? What is Kore’s role in this?
A: Our neighbor across the street says that she [Kore] loves watching and it makes her feel comfortable when she sees her [Kore] in the window watching the street. Kore is also always part of our family Halloween costume ensemble, and everyone gets enjoyment out of seeing all of us together.
Q: I’m hearing creativity and celebration is important. Can you speak more about that?
A: Since [having] our boys we have a better perspective on life, and we celebrate all moments even the small ones because those are just as important. Kore is always part of our celebrations, birthday parties, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, Christmas matching pajamas.
Q: What are some of Kore’s other favorite activities?
A: […]She also loves running after the boys and playing any sports. Her favorite activity may be hunting peanut butter and chocolate!
Q: What is her favorite sport?
A: Football. She loves trying to intercept the passes.
Q: What are some favorite activities you like to do with Kore?
A: Snuggle
Q: Yes, I recall you once saying that your children like to lay next to Kore for comfort or when not feeling well, and that you wanted Kore to help with your own emotional support. Can you describe how Kore brings comfort?
A: Kore gets wild and runs around with the boys, but she senses when she needs to be calm and comfort. Recently I had surgery and she laid right near me on the couch. Very gentle, never putting her weight on me but allowing me to pet her head for hours. She is very good at reading the room and acting as necessary.
Q: Yes, she is a very socially attuned pup. Let’s chat about her wild side. As you mentioned earlier, she has developed the nickname "Party Girl". Why?
A: Kore loves to go back to Dogs Downtown for boarding and they are the ones that gave her that name. They said that she runs with the poodle gang and she is the life of the party. Also, she comes back with some crazy hair, so we are not sure what all goes on when boarded. It is kind of like Vegas. What happens there stays there.
Q: During the holidays, I look forward to the chocolates and treat gifts that I receive from Kore and your family. Who makes these tasty treats?
A: We have been sourcing gifts from local businesses who provide employment for people of all abilities. It is obviously close to our hearts, and we hope that positions like these will be available when our son is ready or able to work and have a social opportunity. Some of our favorite companies are:
Cameron’s Chocolates https://www.every1canwork.com
Jake’s Ice Cream and Jake’s Popcorn https://www.jakesgourmetpopcorn.com
Echo Bakery for dog treats https://echobarkery.org
Q: You mentioned that this past winter Kore played a humorous role in the continuing love story of you and your husband. The story has an international Parisian twist. What happened? How does having Kore in the family enrich the connections and love between you and your husband and children?
A: Kore has very different sides. She can act quiet, gentle and demure not getting dirty and then can flip to a crazy barking dirty dog running in the yard with the boys. She also has refined tastes and standards. She won’t eat off the floor or clean up after the boys. She will eat off the table or counter surf [… ] I will always remember the first time I got Kore a Starbucks pup-cup and she didn’t know what to do with it. She looked at me like I was crazy thinking she going to lick it out of the cup like a dog, she required a spoon.
One recent time was my husband had a milestone birthday, and we left the kids for the first time and flew to Paris for three days. We thought ahead and brought plastic bags and bought the boys croissants and macarons so we could tell them [our boys] that they were freshly baked that morning in Paris.
Kore obviously could tell the delicacy and when we returned downstairs from bathing them [the kids], she had eaten all of them!
Q: Kore certainly brings a sense of surprise and novelty to your family life. What did your family say when Kore ate all the treats from Paris? Did you forgive her? If so, why?
A: We definitely forgave her. It was not the worst thing she has ever eaten and it definitely added to her boujee personality. She had never ate store bought croissants, but freshly baked from Paris were a different story.
Q : How is the way you move through life with Kore, and your perspective about connection and community grounded in your family history, culture, or spiritual beliefs?
A: Respect and love. We were taught to be kind to everyone regardless of difference. Kore loves all people regardless of their differences or abilities.
12. What tip would you share with people interested in finding a gentle family-oriented dog? Lots of training and love
Q: .What is one additional insight or observation from your life with Kore that you would like to share?
A: She may not have been the breed of dog that we would have chosen, but she was and is exactly what we needed. She knew before we did.
Q: Thank you for sharing the story of Kore and your family Jola!
“KORE A Mood” collage created by Jola & family