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Today is starting out wonderfully already.
Cahill, while he is just fine ... did not "crow" at 4:20am like he usually does ... he slept in until 6:30am, at which time he and Zzzen were BOTH crowing ... for a potty run.
THIS I can handle just fine :).
I started by letting all the pups out for a freeze-run-pee-bark-play and then back in for a treat and wait for me to make their breakfasts.
With the downstairs off limits for housing or play right now, it is strictly "rotational living" ... for ALL of us ... for the next few days.
So, as each group of dogs came back inside, they ate breakfast. Then after they had all made the morning constitution run and had finished breakfast, we started the
outdoor run and play rotation all over again. until finally it was time for the late morning nap.
Yes, mostly for me, but they could use a post-breakfast settle as well.
I have called several contractors who will be coming out to give estimates on the repair of the downstairs walls.
It needs to be done as quickly as possible before mold begins to develop and spread.
The tile floor downstairs is feeling fairly dry ... but will end up fully saturated again to get it disinfected post flood and CLEAN after the contractors repairs ...

I know I have said it before but i will share yet again: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST tile & grout flooring.
Even though carpeting or hardwoods would have been ruined with this mess, I would still NEVER choose tile - yuck dusty porous dirty smelly cracking YUCK !!!!
It is not often that a flood or this type of damage occurs, so it is not likely to have to see flooring be ruined. That said ... tile is just plain GROSS.
Okay, I won't mention my hatred of the tile again :)

So, now you know about the puppies experience with the flood adventure and the clean up and the freeze ...
and in all of that, I did tell of the temporary "Tent City" I set up for the dogs.

So ... here is a "funny":
I was contacted by email from a self-proclaimed 'follower of this "photo journal" ',
who, has informed me that 'this should actually be called a poorly written "blog with pix" '.
I laugh here :)
She goes on to say that '[we] should be able to actually SEE the "tent city" these 'poor dogs are being forced to live in'.
She adds that she is 'familiar with Seattle's highly publicized 'tent city issues' and finds the reference to be concerning'.
While I was originally taken aback by such a comment from a (possibly) unknown reader, and originally wanted to respond with a big fat:
"WHATEVER, lady !!!"
But to keep in the style that has been of this photo journal ... a sharing of sorts ... I wanted to apologize if I had offended anyone who had to be a part of the "tent city"
as this was never my intention. Furthermore, I decided this overly concerned woman, in a warped sort of way, was at least CARING about the dogs ... maybe?!?
So, I am here to say that I may have indeed 'exaggerated' with my reference to my dogs now having a 'tent city' - after all, they are not "homeless", and they're indoors.
That said... decide for yourself, (below), what you would have called it for fun ... it is rather like a bunch of tents set up side by side to sleep in.
AND ... now that I am thinking about it, are temporarily displaced from their true "kennel/pens".
So there, I take back my apology to the reference ... and while it was NEVER meant to offend anyone, it is what it is ...
OUR "Pup Tent City" ... and, at an average of $120 per "tent" ... temporary as it is, it is a full-fledged grand adventure.
So, I retract my "Whatever" statement ... and I am replacing it with this:
"LIGHTEN UP, [reader]".
:)
Those of you who have visited my home will find this photo funny and frustrating, as we do :) ...
... and those of you who know my dogs will know this is a bit of fun for them & that we will all look forward to putting this behind us.
In closing with today's tent city story ... I decided that since I share photos of everything else related to the pups - good, bad and indifferent ...
... I am most happy to post a photo of what "FEELS" like a temporary "tent city" for the dogs.
And if it makes anyone - especially this 'troubled' read - any happier ... I have remained sleeping in the living room, as I am still not out of the "Virus Club",
and will remain sleeping in the living room ... on the sofa ... with all of the dogs in the room, until we return to the normal routine :)
Now ... with all the instant attention my 'tent city' page got ... I only WISH I had taken photos of the flooding disaster downstairs and posted them ...
along with a DONATION contact line ***
hahahahahaha !
So, with no further ado ... here it is ... our temporary "Pup Tent City" ... in what used to be just a plain old living room:
3 - 42" Canine Camper Soft Crates, (Echo, Cahill, Tyler)
2 - 42" Precision Pet Soft Crates, (Misty, Zzzen)
2 - 400 series Varikennel Crates, (Soleil, Breeze)
1 - 500 Series Varikennel Crate, (Erica & Violet) *** do NOT send donations ... that was just sarcasm.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Under the Miss ~ eltoe

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

As a side note:
I wanted to thank you for all the emails and calls wishing me well and keeping me in your prayers.
While that was NOT my intention of sharing the news of my "cruddy cold" ... I appreciate all of your thoughts and kindness.
I must add that the puppies - of which this photo journal is truly about - also greatly appreciated your consideration ...
thanks to the good karma and power of prayer I am now on the road to recovery which gives THEM a better human play-pal and trainer/ :)

Alas ... the "pup tent city" story has come to an end for today ... and it got MUCH more focus than I had originally intended for this photo journal event ...
... but then again, it appears as though I am not a real photo-journal creator after all ...
Nope ... apparently I am just ...
'a poorly written blogger ...... with pix.'

Regardless ... I extend my wishes for a Season of JOY to my "Concerned? Reader"

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Later on in the day ...

... came down with his "WONDERFUL" mom, Clare ... to have his "WONDERFUL" ears re-posted AND ...
... to show off what a "WONDERFUL" young man he is becoming.
The last photo we took of Louis was about 2-3 weeks ago was taken in the freezing, pouring windy rain.
It was an ugly day that day ... and quite, frankly as far as "WONDERFUL" photos go ... ummmm ... "not so much".
Today, though, Louis shined like I know he can, showing me just what he can do in following my lead with the words "stand" and "step-step".
Josh Pelton, who is Louis' human best-buddy, will be working with him on this new "step-step" command at home and will help me to prepare Louis for the show ring.
"Okay, now remember, Josh, be very enthusiastic ... and, as soon as he moves his feet he gets a cookie.
Also a reminder: no more cookies for 'sitting' ... he has mastered that already :)
This is your job with Louis for this week and I know you will do a great job."
Todd was able to get a few stack photos with Louis on the table ...
... even though Louis HATES being on the table and now he doesn't have much room to move even though I want him to step into his stack.
He is MUCH more relaxed on the floor or ground, but he wanted to run around like the other puppies, so that was too distracting!
Enjoy this photo of Louis ... he is "WONDERFUL" to look at ... and even more "WONDERFUL" to spend time with.
Oh, and just as an aside ... we put him on my puppy scale, which will weigh up to 45 pounds.
Louis is now far too heavy for the scale to read his weight - he is right where I hoped he would be.
As a first time dog home ... AND as first time Raw feeders ... the Pelton's are doing a better job than I could have ever dreamed ...Way to go, Pelton family !
Next weeks stack photos will be on the ground ... and we will try no treats so we can see the lovely natural arch in his neck.
"Louis ... you are 'WONDERFUL'!"

Hi Sarah !

Hi Josh !

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If you are interested in being considered for one of the show prospect puppies available, (Zzzen, Soleil, Breeze),
please begin by filling out the questionnaire, (below).
Email it to Kathy at katoba@comcast.net. Please do not leave anything 'blank' on the form.
Kathy can be contacted at 253.312.4839.