Cody-II

William F. Cody Would Be Proud

The legendary William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) has a Minnesota namesake.
And this namesake, “Cody-II”, is out to make the old buffalo hunter proud. Not proud of being a buffalo hunter…no way!

Rather...just famous and legendary like Buffalo Bill.

You see Cody-II is only four years old but he is already a national personality. I’m quite sure that if you have watched any television this summer, you’ve seen Cody II doing his thing.
Much like Buffalo Bill standing proud in his “leathers” on the prairies of the old west, Cody II is doing the same thing in his television premiere. You see him posed on a western plain that stretches to the horizon behind him. Cody-II is also wearing leather.
Yes sirrreeee, Cody-II is holding his head high and proud as he primps and prances for the camera. He is about as happy as he can get.

But it wasn’t always that way.

For some time Cody-II felt like a second class beast to his cousin “Cody The First”, who grabbed the spotlight at every chance and left Cody-II in the shadows and out of public view.
Cody-II never got any opportunities for doing events or photo opportunities or television commercials because his big cousin was the star. His cousin stole the spotlight from Cody-II to star in productions like "Dances with Wolves", "Radio Flyer", Subway, Energizer, KFC commercials, on Public TV and National Geographic documentaries, Mall of America, REMAX at the Denver Convention Center, in Playboy Magazine and one of his last performances was as a representative for the US Mint as the ambassador for unveiling of the new Buffalo Nickel.
Cody-II didn’t have a chance competing with his cousin.

But all that has changed for the Houston, Minnesota native. Cody-II has hit the big time and the future is bright.
Cody-II's spirits and attitude perked up when told of his Taco Johns video debut and trip to California.

( Valerie, Cody and Mike)

He watched owners and trainers, Valerie Shannon (Buffalo Gal) and Mike Fogel, preparing his trailer as Cody-II anxiously paced along his private corral near Houston, Minnesota. He watched as they loaded his show tack, all the best grooming aids, hair spray and combs. Hey, you gotta look good when you’re a t-v star.
Fresh hay and bags of feed were made ready as well. I guess you could say Cody-II was chomping at the bit to get in the trailer hit the road to Hollywood…well, near Hollywood.

Valerie and Cody-II ended up at a 40,000 acre ranch in the Canyons outside LA. The premise of the Taco John commercial was to be the character TJ the DJ trying to pull and push Cody into his DJ Van. TJ plays Taco Johns biggest fan and he wanted to get Cody-II in the van to ride with him. Cody definitely surprises TJ when he climbs right in next to him in the van.

( TJ and Cody)

Oh there were moments. I guess you could say that every star gets a little temper mental from time and needs some time alone to collect their thoughts or get into character…although Cody-II really doesn’t have any problem staying in character.
To be honest, Cody did run off when one of the prop guys tried to change out his lead rope. I guess you could say there was a "Prop Malfunction" and Cody took off across the prairie but made sure he didn't stay too far ahead of Buffalo Gal and the crew that was pleading for him to come back to the “shoot”. Valerie believes Cody-II was actually smirking as he was running. She said she had Cody-II by his tail at one point and he let her hold on for a time and then he sped up just enough to make her let go. Hey, maybe he was thinking that he wasn't getting enough make-up and hair attention. Buffalo Gal confesses that Cody-II does demand a touch up after every photo taken. When he does special events for photo opportunities he looks to Valerie, to fix the little wild hair he has just above his eyes on his forehead. Cody-II also gets his horns shined up with some black shoe polish and the same goes for his hooves. He is also partial to a little glitter if he doing a parade and of course his signature Native American Feather adornments on his halter.

Cody-II is now a genuine American television star. But you know something even better? Cody-II has been a star to thousands of people even before the “small screen” beckoned.
On a daily basis he is doted on. Buffalo Gal says he likes his big eyes rubbed, and he likes to give her a big lick on the face.
To exercise Cody-II, Valerie used to run with him but as he has gotten bigger and faster and now she rides the 4 wheeler alongside his arena - he follows it while jumping, kicking and spinning at each turn.
Valerie says many times during an event as the day wears on and Cody-II has posed for 300+ photos with adoring fans, he gets up and wants to take a break and hops in his mobile trailer.

(Little Admirer)

Cody-II is Minnesota’s latest star. And when he is not on the road to entertain his public, you can find him happy and content at the Money Creek Buffalo Ranch near Houston, Minnesota...or check him out on-line at  www.buffalogal.com .

Stop by. Ask for an autograph.

cj

Posted by: cjjohnso on July 17, 2009 at 11:36 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink