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The ongoing photo journal of Katoba Dobermans' 2009 "Miss & Mister" Litter ~ DPCA Futurity Nominated for 2010

Today's featured puppy:
K atoba's Miss Priss

Playtime was cut short after breakfast today. I do not mind having them play in the rain ... as a matter of fact I think it is a VERY good idea for them to relate rain with "FUN".
But, this morning, the chill in the air WITH the rain was enough to make them actually shiver ... and that is just not good - they burn through their food to keep warm and it
can really make them feel aweful. Even though they seems miserable, I had to force them to come in from the "back forty". I cannot believe how adventuresome they are - I
had to actually pick a few of the mud monsters up and MAKE them come in. Sheesh - nevertheless, I was cutting the "Morning Storm Party" short. After all were in and
"de-mud-ified", they were actually ready for a nap in the 'sleeping pen'. I have an extra heater in the dog room so they warm up quickly and dry off.
As I took these photos I realized just how big the babies have gotten; they barely appear to be little pups anymore;they have crossed over ~ now they are "mini-dogs".
I have already expanded the Sleeping Pen once, (from 6' x 6' to 9' x 9'), which is the norm for my transition from whelping box of 4' x 4'). But it appears as though it will be
time to expand to 9' x 12' or 12' x 12'. I started off with 2 400-series Vari-kennels, but they quickly outgrew those, so I switched those out for the 500-series Vari-kennels.
Because the insides were getting so dirty with the rain and mud and yuck, I kept them "halved" (see below) for cleaning purposes. They have all traveled and gone on fields
trips in Varikennels and have all done exceptionally well. Some vocalize their desire to be up front with me in the car, but each time are denied and they quickly resolve to the
fact that their safety is more important than their fun where that is concerned. I am very proud of their ability to adapt and adjust and just "deal with things".
Since the ears are being cropped next week, I will be putting 400-series crates back into the sleeping pen - but this time 3 or 4 of them, with the tops on them. This is when I
begin night time crate training prep for when they go to their homes. By now they are very comfortable in the crates- with or without tops, soft or hard crates. Braun is
already FULLY crater trained - hard in the car and soft in the house ... even a daily nap! He had little choice in the matter following his surgery. The others still need a bit
more work ... maybe a few days at most. I like to have them down to 2 pups per crate for several nights (interchanging who sleeps with whom), then down to one per crate for
a couple nights before they actually leave Camp Katoba. Each goes home with a "scent blanket" ... I feel that gives them a sense of familiarity when they are suddenly away
from everyone and everything they know. I suggest to everyone that they have a Vari-kennel for their house (night and unsupervised sleeping),and for traveling in the
vehicle; and I suggest a soft crate to be kept in a secondary place in the house - the soft crates can also be used at dog show or going places to visit. They are
EXTREMELY and easy to manage. Please see Saturday and Sunday's journals for a list(s) of equipment, needs, nutritional plan, and toy suggestions and necessitites. Many
of these things will be necessary for you to have when your puppy comes home ... in about 3 weeks.
Oh my gosh ... it just hit me ~ ear cropping is right around the corner - that means I only get to have the complete brood for another couple weeks ...
... buckets of tears, BUCKETS of tears!

Just about the time they all bedded down for a long nap ... it was "that time" again ... yes, it was time to go back out to play. Thankfully, the rain had stopped and the
ground was drying in the very welcomed sun. Braun was a part of the pack again and was quite pleased to have canine-playmates again. They all terrorized the yard,
scouted around in the back forty, ventured into the "i-used-to-be-a-garden area", and then looped it a second and third time as well.

The Pelton's were unable to come see Louie this week. Tammy was sick and couldn't visit Soleil. Will is in Australia so he couldn't visit Rhyme. Elaine lives in TX - too far to drive :)
But, David and Margret Truax finally got over their colds and were able to come and see Braun for the first time in a few weeks - they had not come to see him throughout the
surgery adventure. When they arrived, I opened the door slowly and Braun knew, immediately, who they were ... his stubby tail a-wagging, he nearly leaped out of my arms.
David & Margret were THRILLED with Braun's progress - "he looks great", "he is doing so good", and "wow, look at him go", were mantra-ed, in between all the smiles and puppy
hugs. They were also pleased to see that he is potty and crate trained. :) I was informed that the final "Braun-mobile" decision was made ~ and I was told it IS Braun's new rig ...
... the lucky dog will be traveling in style in his new black Mercedes LM. Good Lord, can I be a dog in that house ... PLEASE!
Anyway, we showed it to him, and he approves ~ and I am very happy for .... uh ... Braun :)

"VIOLET"
This black beauty has been a stand out since she was born. All who have done 'official' evaluations feels she is definitely the pick conformation bitch, followed very closely by
her sister, Breeze. I so wanted a red bitch from this litter, but Violet is such a stand out in so many ways. All of the girls in this brood are so beautiful it is so hard to choose -
and the longer they are here, the more emotionally difficult it becomes. But todays feature is about Violet. If you remember reading the story of the day the puppies whelped,
you may recall that she was the first born, and she came about literally kicking and clawing her way to daylight ... in the middle of my kitchen. I remember Misty looking up at
me as if to say, "what the heck IS going on back there?" The entire event being a total surprise on that day ... but what a lovely babe Misty;s first born turned out to be. Before
Cathy (Ceely) left my house that day, she asked to see 'purple collar'. I picked her up to show, and she said, 'purple collar ... you always keep purple collar'. She was right.
She was such an affectionate puppy with a prim, proper, prissy attitude, that I named her Miss Priss. She went through several call names, (Zsa Zsa - everyone hated that;
Prada - only woman friends liked that; I even considered Bella - but that needs to be held in grand memory of the late Teresa Douglas), before I found the right one. PURPLE
ribbons await her future ... so, what better way to pave the way than to be named Violet. She is, after all, as pretty as a flower. Violet's conformation has not faded since
birth. She is strong, nice bone, great angles, holds herself with confidence, has a gorgeous face, and moves like a floating freight train. I think she will be a fun bitch to show
as she has a sweetness that melts hearts, and a structure that can't be denied. She may also train in obedience with me. Yes, I think the decision has been made ~ I am
keeping Violet, right?!
I am even fairly certain I know who she will be bred to ... in the future ... if all works out in areas of health and timing. This is one tender, precious, cuddly, funny girl.