100909

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

Friday, October 9, 2009

Since I do not know what type of "dog van" I will be getting, I thought leasing SUV's for a weekend at a time would be a good way of deciding what direction to go.
"Ear Crop Weekend" being a fairly long drive, (with a LOT of pups and GEAR), would be a great time to begin this process.
So, I called Enterprise and told them what I was wanting ... at last minute, they contacted me to let me know they did not have in stock what I was wanting, but they said they
WOULD get me an SUV that was comparable, and at the same price ~ I agreed, because it was, after all, the "last minute".
When I got to the dealer, I literally giggled when they pulled my rental around and referred to the cute little Dodge Journey as an "SUV".
I told them I would make it work, but THIS was indeed NOT an SUV ... nor was it even remotely close to the large van I had originally set up for. :)
We were packed from stem to stern ~ three 400-series Vari-kennels, a cooler, an overnight bag and backpack, laptop, and a laundry basket full oof stuff for the puppies ...
... I ALWAYS over-pack, but then I did spend 10 minutes figuring out where and what everything inside the "journey" was.
Once the dogs were in the crates, we had to GO before the entire rig exploded :)

Left: Soleil, Braun, Violet
Middle: Louis, Mischief, Breeze
Right: Erica, Zzzen, Rhyme

Next stop ... Camp Northstar.
A visit to the Carnes' home is always a treat ~ last time I was there was for the breeding of Misty to Mr. B ...
... and now I was taking the NINE puppies that were the result of that wonderful breeding.
I was anxious and excited to find out what the sire owner, Lisa Carnes, and her associates, thought of my Mr. B babies.
Upon arrival, we were all treated like royalty ~ the puppies were given their own kennel run & expanded indoor x-pen area, which opened via dog door to a HUGE grassy run.
I was thrilled for the pups having such a great place to play ... it is a state of the art, gorgeous kennel building I jokingly refer to as the "Canine Taj Mahal".

... they took over the "jog-a-dog" ...

... they ran and played in the open kennel area ...

... they volleyed for the "hammock-throne" ...

... and then they were out for the night ...

While I will admit, I thoroughly enjoyed my first night of DEEP and uninterrupted sleep at the "LaQuinta", (while Auntie Lisa & Uncle John spoiled MY puppies back at the
kennel), next time, I would be perfectly happy pitching a cot in the NorthStar kennel for myself. It is even beautifully equipped with all the amenities one could hope for.
Those NorthStar Dobermans are VERRRRRRYYYYYYYY lucky, very well loved, wonderfully cared for ... and downright spoiled ~ just as it should be, right ?!