Kumadog.com
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Welcome to Kuma's website
It was late one night, I was online and I saw a photo of a very cute puppy, who's sad brown eyes looked pleadingly into the camera lens seemingly asking ME to take him home. That weekend, I drove to the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter and met Kuma for the first time. At approximately 8 to 10 weeks old he already had a rough start to life. Living in a small kennel with larger, more aggressive puppies, I was able to observe that he wasn't able to get any food out of the small tin dish the kennel attendant tossed down. I watched him attempt to get to the food dish many times but each time he got close, the other six puppies would jump on him, biting him, and he would run yelping to the back on the kennel. I watched outside the kennel feeling helpless and so bad for this little puppy that seemed so starving. I went and got a kennel attendant, and he told me there was nothing he could do about it since they were so overcrowded. That's when I made a very important decision that would change the course of my life.
(The photo below is the first time I laid eyes on him!!)
It took me a few seconds to decide to bail him out of there. I paid the small adoption fee and with both nervousness and excitement I went to pick him up at the spay & neuter clinic a few days later. When the vet brought him out, she told me how skinny he was. He was all ribs and no meat. Poor baby. He was so skinny under all that fur, the vet guessed he hadn't eaten much in the week he was at the shelter. He had multiple bight wounds all over his small, furry little body. She told me that he needed a lot of TLC to repair both his heart and his wounds. I made this woman a promise that I would give him plenty of TLC. Little did either one of us know that Kuma would become my "soul" dog. You know, one of those special ones that lives in your heart for eternity.
Soon after his homecoming I realized a few import things about this puppy. First, was that he was extremely food aggressive. He ate food with such vigor, he guarded it like it was his last meal. To this day he still has issues with food. The second thing that I realized is that he was almost feral. He was a naughty little guy and would bight me, and he was very aloof. He wanted nothing to do with petting and cuddles. He just wasn't accustomed to being touched or handled. Fortunately his love for food and my love for him, helped him overcome this. Lastly I realized that I had just adopted a brilliant puppy. Smart doesn't even begin to describe his ability to learn behaviors and how quickly he gets things. Kuma learned his first trick in a mere few seconds, his second trick just minutes later -- his precision and quick learning ability blew me away!
For the next 6 years Kuma underwent consistent training, and through incredible teamwork he learned things rapidly and he taught me a ton! Today he knows over 65 behaviors, having mastered complex commands such as putting a coin in a piggy bank, recycling cans and plastic bottles, scratching a flea on cue, jumping through my arms and on my back, and working with actors on a film set, looking like he really belongs to them!
Although Kuma has yet to work on anything that is "high profile" his canine resume is very impressive! At two years old he landed his first job, working on a late night infomercial for Pawws Pet Vitamins and did several print shoots until he finally got his first big break being cast as "Cesar" on the Hallmark film Fielder's Choice. The director was so impressed with Kuma this led him to get cast as "Jesse" playing John Larroquette's dog for the Hallmark Mystery Series McBride.
To date, Kuma has almost 70 professional production credits! For a full list please take a look at his resume. Kuma lives to do studio work and loves working so much that sometimes I think he's a reincarnated "Cary Grant." When he is on set Kuma is truly in his element. As his owner / trainer it makes me so proud to see my boy shine. I feel so fortunate to be part of his life and since I feel he is an extraordinary canine, I wanted to share my special dog with the rest of the world through his studio jobs and also with this little website. :-)
When he is not on set Kuma enjoys being a regular dog. He lives with many other animals and likes to remind everyone that he is their mighty pack leader. Kuma is totally a momma's boy and everyone in his pack knows that he is my #1. He is bossy (and occasionally a tad naughty) to the other dogs in our family but also the most gentle animal you will ever see with other types of animal species. I can put baby chicks or baby bunnies all over Kuma and he would not harm a hair on their heads. He is totally trust-worthy. Kuma loves cats since he was raised with a litter of kittens. His favorite game is tug-o-war, he loves keep a look out for rogue squirrels and lizards. His favorite activity is going for an off leash hike, and most off all he enjoys EATING food! ANY FOOD!
Please enjoy sniffing around Kuma's website!!
Sincerely,
Kuma's Proud Mom,
Sarah J. Clifford
Sincerely,
Kuma's Proud Mom,
Sarah J. Clifford
