The Don

Coda plays at our neighborhood park every day. This is where he hangs with the Gambinos. You might think Coda’s the pack leader, but he’s actually the sidekick tripping over his paws. The real Godfather is Grandpa. Dogs run up to him, sit, and lick his ring finger. They know and respect Grandpa’s place. They also know Grandpa carries biscuits.

Grandpa is my father-in-law, and he loves Coda. Because Big G and Coda go for three walks a day, they know everyone in the neighborhood and everyone knows them. Still, only a few friends make up The Family.

Coda’s best amico is Mi (pronounced Me). They met when Coda was a year and Mi was just four months, but Coda was so gentle with his puppy playmate. He’d roll on his back and let Mi jump on his belly and bite his ears with those sharp baby teeth. If there was a yelp, it was from Coda. Today Mi’s all grown and the two of them ambush each other, pin each other by the throat, and knock into each other so hard there’s always yelping.

Capone (yes, Capone) is an Italian Mastiff. At 11 months he’s already 130 pounds! When he puts his giant paw on Coda, he pushes him right to the ground. Luckily, Capone is a sweetie who thinks Coda's a good pisan. Vienna (Black Lab) and Cocoa (Golden Retriever) are the ladies of the group. They’re usually up for a good game of chase but leave the wrestling to the boys.

And where is The Don in all of this? Grandpa sits alone in the gazebo, shadows hiding his face so you see only his eyes watching and waiting. When it’s time to leave, the Godfather signals.

Coda being Coda, when Grandpa calls for him Coda acts like he doesn’t understand English and continues playing. This could go on indefinitely but Grandpa knows the game and makes Coda an offer he can’t refuse. Leave the gun take the rawhide bone.

It’s great my father-in-law gets so much exercise and enjoys spending time with Coda. Plus getting to know our neighbors is an advantage of having such a friendly dog. One of the many disadvantages of Coda’s goofball enthusiasm is often seen when we take him anywhere else but a park – like, say, for example – an outdoor restaurant.