Codi's Journey
An Inspiring and Heartwarming Story about an Amazing Best Friend
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About Codi's Journey
Codi, a purebred Border Collie, became an integral part of Jeff & Andrea Maziarek's family in June of 1992.
Jeff's book, Codi's Journey, slated for publication in 2010, is a unique book in the pet memoir category, because it presents Codi as much more than merely a source of entertainment and affection, but as an actual sentient being that has far deeper insight into the lives of "her humans" than commonly thought.
The case for this canine "sentience" is uniquely made via the transcription of three actual sessions Codi had with an animal communicator during her final year that yielded information very specific and highly relevant to Jeff's life. Any dog lover who has ever spoken about the humanness of their pet will be strongly drawn to this work.
Jeff is an inspirational speaker and author. His first book Spirituality Simplified provides an ideal starting point for anyone with a sincere desire to pursue a path of personal and/or spiritual growth. To contact Jeff via email please click here.Syndicate
CODIPUP.COM
Welcome to Codipup.com
(CLICK HERE to read a PDF file with two sample chapters from Codi's Journey.)
The best way to use this website as it grows is to refer to the Category Archives box to your left, as it provides a list of all subjects addressed on the site. If you wish to share any of your own experiences in loving and losing a cherished companion animal, or anything else about your past or current dog(s), please click on the Add Comment link at the bottom of any post. It is my sincere intention that Codipup.com becomes a forum for dog lovers worldwide to share stories and feelings about their beloved canines.
If you have any questions regarding a particular subject on this site, please feel free to send me an email by clicking here.
Critical Acclaim - A Touching Tribute
“For anyone who has experienced a spiritual canine connection, Codi's Journey is a must read. It’s a touching tribute to a man’s search for a very special pup and the heart-warming spiritual journey they shared.”
Eugenia Last, Renowned Internationally Syndicated Astrologist and Author
Eugenia Last, Renowned Internationally Syndicated Astrologist and Author
Critical Acclaim - A Story Told with Great Heart
“Codi’s story is one told with great heart; you will care about this dog as you
think about your own dogs. Anyone who has ever loved and lost
canine companions will definitely identify with this work.”
Steve Dale, host of the nationally syndicated "PetWorld"
on WLS Radio in Chicago and of the "Pet Minute"
Artfully Written and Lovingly Presented
His dog-tale is studded with humor, sensitivity, and most of all, the spirituality that his first book, Spirituality Simplified, demonstrated so beautifully. His joy and delight in Codi’s personality and "beingness" is intermingled with the tears and anguish that all of us feel when a loved one is in pain and we prepare for their passing. Artfully written and lovingly presented, Codi’s Journey is a gift for the soul."
Joyce Naylor, New Jersey
"Codi's Journey" is Awesome
Any book that can stir laughter as well as tears is a wonderful story. Codi’s Journey is awesome."
Terri Wernert, volunteer, Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue
Leaves an Imprint on Your Heart & Soul
Codi’s Journey will leave an imprint on your heart and soul long after you put the book down.”
Will Murtha, author of "Dying for a Change"
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Taken in by the Depth of Love and Honesty
Very Well-written Story
This book is very well-written and I am amazed at the level of detail the author recalls over a period of years. I highly recommend this book to those who have pets, and to those who would like to experience the years of joy (albeit eventually with some sorrow), that a pet can bring to a family.”
Todd Savitt, California
Unforgettable in Every Way
As I read I couldn’t help but remember a small French Poodle our family adopted when he was about 4 months old. My daughter promised to train him but who do you think was outside at night training Bon Bon? – Me of course! He turned out to be a very clever and affectionate dog. Back then we had a wall in front of our garden & another at the side. I trained him not to go over the walls. Sometimes he used to sit on the outside wall and look around to see if anyone was watching and jump over the wall. As soon as I shouted "Bon Bon come inside" he immediately returned to the garden. In summer I used to give him a bath and put him outside on a table. I used to say to him "wait there until I return." He always waited patiently. I then dried him with a hairdryer, which he loved.
I could go on and on about my beloved Bon Bon, but unfortunately the time came when we had to have him put down. My daughter and I attended, and when our veterinarian put the needle in his leg he quickly passed away. The vet, our great friend, took us in his arms and all three of us cried like babies.
Thanks for the opportunity to share this story, and, for all the love and effort you put into writing Codi’s Journey."
Babette Herman, South Africa
Let us all Hope We Are Remembered With Such Love
On top of it all "Codi's Journey" is a very good read. Let us all hope we are remembered with such love."
Susan Ross, England
I Loved Reading this Book
Mary Lou Meader, Washington
Book Excerpt: Introduction to "Codi's Journey"
If you’ve picked this book I can safely assume that at some point in your life you have had the pleasure of sharing your home and life with a dog (or dogs). Perhaps you’ve been close to dogs your whole life, or maybe it’s only recently you’ve discovered the joy of having canines around. Either way, it’s more than likely we share a deep and abiding affection for them.
In my case, the earliest recollection I have of interacting with dogs dates back to the spring of 1968, when my best friend’s dog had a litter of puppies. Even though I was 11-years old at the time, this was actually the first opportunity I ever had to see and play with such little pups. In the few weeks that followed that initial visit I would come to spend many hours there having fun with them, and just reveling in their love and attention. Eventually, I became fascinated with a particular black and white female who always paid me more mind than any of the others. She wound up joining our family in June of that year after my mother finally gave in to my constant begging.
Since that time nearly four decades ago, I’ve had one or more dogs sharing a home with me for nearly 35 of those years. Going forward, I can’t imagine living without one. While each of these dogs genuinely touched my heart, it was Codi, a certain feisty little Border Collie, who affected me most profoundly. Not only was she my “best friend” in every sense of the term, she also turned out to be an amazing spiritual teacher. While some might scoff at the idea that a dog could actually teach anything to an intellectually superior human being, the truth is intelligence is just one aspect of any creature’s abilities. The dog’s unwavering loyalty, its unique ability to live totally in the present, and its unmatched capacity to give unconditional love under the most challenging of circumstances truly makes it an ideal spiritual role model.
From early on in my relationship with Codi, I always felt that beneath the fur there was a very sentient being. And, in the last year of our time together some very mystical events ultimately transpired to completely confirm the accuracy of that feeling. Within this book I describe each of these events in some detail as elements of a larger narrative encompassing the final 12 months of Codi’s life. To give you even deeper insight into the story, I also share with you background on how she came to be a part of our family. Likewise, I provide you with many engaging anecdotes about her personality and some of Codi’s more memorable deeds over the years.
Within this book I have made a concerted effort to tell her story from my heart as opposed to my head, with my foremost intention being to impart information I sincerely hope will be of value to anyone who loves dogs.
In my case, the earliest recollection I have of interacting with dogs dates back to the spring of 1968, when my best friend’s dog had a litter of puppies. Even though I was 11-years old at the time, this was actually the first opportunity I ever had to see and play with such little pups. In the few weeks that followed that initial visit I would come to spend many hours there having fun with them, and just reveling in their love and attention. Eventually, I became fascinated with a particular black and white female who always paid me more mind than any of the others. She wound up joining our family in June of that year after my mother finally gave in to my constant begging.
From early on in my relationship with Codi, I always felt that beneath the fur there was a very sentient being. And, in the last year of our time together some very mystical events ultimately transpired to completely confirm the accuracy of that feeling. Within this book I describe each of these events in some detail as elements of a larger narrative encompassing the final 12 months of Codi’s life. To give you even deeper insight into the story, I also share with you background on how she came to be a part of our family. Likewise, I provide you with many engaging anecdotes about her personality and some of Codi’s more memorable deeds over the years.
Within this book I have made a concerted effort to tell her story from my heart as opposed to my head, with my foremost intention being to impart information I sincerely hope will be of value to anyone who loves dogs.
A Story of Love and Extraordinary Friendship
Based on some of the stories shared it’s very apparent that Codi’s "work" in life was to continually perfect the ability to chase, catch, and retrieve a Frisbee, and she was as determined as any good athlete in perfecting these skills. Even as she aged and her health deteriorated, she maintained this zest for life, and in the process taught her humans about the importance of getting the most out of life no matter what stage of it one is in.
If you ever have owned, loved and then lost a cherished animal friend, Codi's Journey will awaken memories and reminiscences of your animal companion and may bring on a few tears - happy tears for having owned and loved an animal that loved you back tenfold. You won't want to miss this story of love and extraordinary friendship."
Peter Cunningham, Florida
A "Must Read" for Dog Lovers
Codi's Journey is well-written, and a definite "must-read" for anyone who has ever loved or lost a canine friend."
Pete Koerner, author of "The Belief Formula"
A Compelling, Heartfelt Work
“Codi’s Journey” is a compelling, heartfelt work about the unquestionable love between man and dog. I loved the Codi conversations especially, although I loved every word. It truly is a love story. While the loss of such a dear friend is so much to bear, next to all the love we are given, it is little. What a labor of love this book was; I can imagine the tears that were shed in the writing."
Gloria Wendroff, author of Heavenletters"
Book Excerpt: Codi's Comedy
This wasn’t just a quick gallop from one end of the abode to the other and back again. No, this was a sustained burst of pent-up energy that included jumping on and off the couch, crawling on her belly under the cocktail table, rising up again and sprinting down the hall to the bedroom, leaping on and off the bed, circling a padded chair, then repeating the same process at least twice more until she finally got it out of her system. It essentially happened so fast that all we could do was stand back and laugh hysterically as this wild-eyed Border Collie treated our entire house like it was the setting for an agility competition!"
Written Straight from the Heart
It’s almost as if Codi herself wrote the book through the author so the rest of us “dog parents” can feel that it’s Ok to feel as nuts about our canine kids as we do. In fact, it’s perfectly normal to have such profound love for a four-legged being that we are willing to leave no stone unturned in order to keep them both happy and healthy.”
Kristen Damolaris, Illinois
Book Excerpt: Seeing Codi for the First Time
Book Excerpt: Codi's Focus on Frisbee
This was actually a very comical behavior to witness, as her body language effectively said, “Leave me alone, I’ve got work to do.” The person was typically taken aback by her response to their advance, and sometimes would ask if she was an unfriendly dog. Our response was always to politely explain that she was a working dog who just didn’t want to be bothered while on the job. We also let them know she always did the same thing to us in such situations. It wasn’t personal at all to Codi, it was just business.
The fact was her intensity made her appear aloof, or perhaps in some sense a bit arrogant. We just learned not to take it to heart. We knew she loved us. It just wasn’t her nature to express it the way dogs usually do. That love, however, was very evident whenever we’d return home from being out for a spell, as each time we were greeted by an aggressively wagging tail. And, sometimes, if we were very lucky, we even got a small lick on our chins!"
Book Excerpt: Do Dogs Have Souls?
For domesticated dogs and cats as well, is part of their life plan to be in service in a deep way to their “humans?” Do we choose them or do they choose us? For several minutes that evening these questions and others like them raced through my mind."
