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I get alot of inquiries about what I feed, as there are so many different diets and theories on "raw feeding". It took quite awhile, but I finally found what really works for
my dogs, so that is what all of my dedicated families feed their dogs, as well. Right now, the puppies eat the same diet as the adult dogs ... but, they do not get Triple
Flex, nor do they get the Fish Oil gel caps during the ear posting process, as it tends to delay the firming of the ear cartilage. I do not support nor recommend
feeding this diet without ALL the components. I do not feed Echo (at 8.5 years of age), as much volume as the rest, and I would not feed this diet to any dogs who
are on treatment or maintenance medications without first consulting with your raw-diet-educated Veterinarian. For added "bulk" or carbs, I cook rice.

A wise friend - with a hard outer shell, but a true heart of gold - once said to me, (in reference to a different situation), "sad as it is ... life goes on".
When Logan died, I threw those words back at her, but, my sarcasm was ignored ... or maybe I made myself look stronger than I really am ?!?
Now, I wish I had not been snide ~ the truth is, I was broken-hearted ... and that wise fiend, well, SHE was RIGHT.
My heart will NEVER let go - it will ache for a long time, maybe forever - I was in no way prepared to lose my cute, cartoony, loving, perfect friend, Logan.
But last night, my head finally HAD to let go ... I had to move forward and realize that "sad as it is ... life goes on".
Thank you, Cathy, for the straight forward 'words of wisdom' ~ whether they were meant for me ... or not.
There is "LIFE" in my home ... in my heart ... and I am very thankful for the baby girls I am keeping ... Logan's nieces.
Now, sadness remains, but the grieving is over. I move forward ... with dreams and goals and fun and "life".

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Patent pending **

"FISH FRIDAY"

Every Friday, I feed them a fish meal, (no, the dogs are not practicing Catholics - haha):
1 can Jack Mackeral in oil, (shredded)
1 cup veggies (mashed squash, diced peeled tomatoes, etc - yes, canned)
1 Tbls. Yogurt
Vitamins and Supplements

The Beginning of the day:
The regular routine of the day cannot be ignored simply because there is a big task at hand, so ... first thing, we begin with BREAKFAST.
Until today, I had been feeding the pups from a group feeding tray. I've done this in the past - until the pups were about 16 weeks of age - when most had gone or were
preparing to go to their new homes. While some do not advocate this practice, I find it to be beneficial in most every way - it initiates eager/competitive eating, (I have
never had a raw-fed dog who has had any eating issue - even when bitches are in heat); it is easier for preparation & is more time-efficient; and it is my belief that it has
eliminated any food-aggression behaviors that may have developed later, without this practice, because they always have to share space and a dish, so to speak.
I support this practice, as it has worked for me and all my puppies, thus far.
That said, I have two "chow hounds" in this brood - Erica and Zzzen. They are not rude or pushy eaters ... but they are fast eaters who do not stop when they have had
"their share" ... they keep eating - vigorously - until the food is gone :).
They give a whole new meaning to the phrase: "Waste not want not" ... but I see their "waists" are becoming quite a bit larger than the other pups - hahaha.
So, today, we started feeding in individual bowls. It was initially successful ... but of course, Erica and Zzzen finished before anyone else, and started "sharing"from the
others bowls. By tomorrow, the backyard, patio, & all equipment will be cleaned up, and we will have the dog room back to normal ...
... and each will eat in their own pens from then on.

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There is work to be done ... the dogs need their yard back !
I would love to spend the day baking holiday cookies for us, (and liver brownies for the dogs), but, instead ...
... the clean up continues following the burst pipe flooding. The "pup tent city" is gone ... and since I cannot get a local contractor within my required 2 weeks time,
nor can we get the owner to respond ... I am going to be "my own contractor" for the project. WISH ME LUCK :). But ... that project is not for today. No, today the project
goes to the backyard clean-up. There has been enough warming to thaw the thick frozen ground cover ... leaving stuffing and shavings-filled SLUSH everywhere. It is a
YUCKY mess ~ it is being dragged into the house continually ~ and it must be cleaned up. That says nothing for the pile up of equipment that had to make an
emergency exit out onto the back patio. Oh, Lord ... where do I begin ?!?
Funny .... the dogs could care less ~ as a matter of fact, it is as if the messiness is more fun ... to everyone except Misty, (she likes things neat and tidy).
I decided it's the right time to share the story of "CLEANSING" we made on December 1, regarding our decision to resign membership to the PSDPC on December 2,
2009. We knew we would not be renewing at the end of the year, but made it official on that day. Today, as is parallel to this mess, we celebrate that "cleansing" to us.
It was suggested we share the back-story: Todd and I became members several years ago - at the request of Elaine Hopper - who we now know just needed us to be
voting members to help her stay in the club while she was facing expulsion. We fell for it hook line and sinker. Once she longer participated in the club, I was voted in as
an officer and remained in office for a couple of years. They were successful years where we held a Regional Specialty and made good money for the club. I have
watched wonderful people work VERY hard over the years to hold the club together while others worked very hard to harm it because they were no longer in control.
Todd ceased his participation LONG ago, while I hung in there in hopes that things would turn back around and be FUN again. It never happened, thanks to those now
in control of the club. I am no longer proud to be a member ... I am disgusted, therefore, it is time to leave. The lack of respect for the club has become significant in that
they actually LOSE money by holding unsuccessful shows, etc. The lack of interest in the Specialty shows is reflective of very poor decisions made by a less than
desirable administration and their private agendas to harass and harm some of the members. The majority of the board is one that I simply cannot support or have
respect for and I am no longer proud to be a member. There are several people who deserve recognition for their many years of hard work and dedication ... and even
they have ceased participation - not attending meetings or contributing any help. "There's your sign". It was refreshing to let go!

Ten minutes into the clean-up, the sun came out so I let Misty and all the pups out for a good run and play time. Watching Misty with her pups is something that I
cannot miss out on, so I pulled up a chair and took some photos. Misty did some fence running, of course - Erica and Soleil stayed in the chase ... but Zzzen, that dog
LOVES his mother ... he did not leave Misty's playful side for most of the afternoon. Breeze is not a fence runner, nor is Violet. Breeze was very focused on Misty
though and watched every move she made. When Misty runs, she adds an occasional "spin" in the heat of excitement. After about her 10th "spin", Breeze looked at
me a very seriously ... and then SHE did it ... she did a SPIN ... right there, JUST BECAUSE ~ and then looked at me as if to say, "WHAT?!?"
It was hillarious, shocking, awesome ... I could NOT believe it. Then Breeze rushed over to me and jumped into my lap ... all 45 pounds of her.
I realized at that point, there was going to be very little work done today ... this was far too much fun for the puppies - no rain, a bit of sun, not too cold.
When it began to rain, we all came in. I dremelled EVERYBODIES toenails, (all 144 toes); groomed the 4 big dogs & introduces the 5 pups to the clippers; cleaned
everyone's ears (all 18 ears); gave everybody a good brushing and wipe down (all nine); and re-posted the pups ears (18).
Puppies have a way of "sharing the love" ... er ... "DIRT", so ... after my second shower of the day ...
... I confirmed the order & delivery for my new washer and dryer, and started measuring the wall damaged areas that I need to play "Bob the Builder" on.

The big boys and the pups are sleeping in crates since the pens are not up yet, (grrr!), but, are gettting alot of play time during the days;
while "mom and "grama" rule the house. The rest of the set up has to wait for the washer/dryer to be delivered AND now, for me to play construction-girl. It will be done
within days. Then, all will be back to normal ... as close as can be anyway - until Zzzen, Soleil, and Breeze go to their new homes.
It was great fun playing with the dogs for a few hours today ... I treasure those moments ...
... so, as for the backyard ... it can wait one more day. :)
right click on any photo to enlarge

BREAKFAST

1 Tbls. Yogurt

1-1.25 cups Veggies

Vit.s & Supp.s

1-1.25 cups Grind

"... visions of sugar ~ plums... "

Pups

         "GRIND"

"Babbitt Blend" ** is available at Green
Valley Meats, in Auburn, Washington.

Per 100 pounds, there is approximately:
25 # Ground Chicken Necks
25 # Ground Turkey Necks
15 # Ground Beef or Buffalo
35 # Ground Organ Meats
   15 # Beef Kidney or heart
   10 # Beef Heart or kidney
     5 # Beef and/or Poultry Liver
     5 # Green Tripe

The grind is packaged in 5 # bags.
A minimum pre-order is recommended.

I also HIGHLY recommend large cut beef
bones, (femurs). I feed the dogs one
each week - they literally eat the entire
thing - the marrow is VERY good for
them and the bone helps to keep the
teeth clean and the gums stimulated.

"VEGGIES"

I like to use root vegetables as well as above-the-ground
vegetable in each breakfast or "grind meal", making sure
there is a respectable amount of carb & as necessary,
sugars, but always low sodium.

Since I have several dogs in my house, I use mostly
canned veggies for cost, convenience & consistency.
I rotate this part of the diet on a weekly or monthly basis
depending on the seasons, availability, and each dogs
needs.
My favorite combo is:
No-Salt DelMonte Spinach
Princella Sweet Potatoes in light syrup (drain & mash).

Growing puppies should have gradual variety, but
consistency above everything else.
My puppies get more root-and melon veggies than
above-the-ground veggies.
For an ADULT dog who needs to lean up, I do not
suggest dieting down (as a human would), but instead, I
substitute the other vegetables with pumpkin & no-salt
string beans ... and of course, possible changes to the
conditioning program.

"VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS"

I add 1/3 tsp. crushed garlic in oil to their food and
put that into the supplement category.
The majority of the dietary supplements I feed come
from b-naturals.com, for canines, by Bertes.

Daily Blend
Green Blend
Immune Blend
Kelp

Most of the vitamins given to my dogs are the same
that I take, and come from Costco:

Vitamin C
Fish Oil, (not during ear posting)
Cranberry Extract
Ground Flax
Triple-Flex, (adult dogs)
L-Carnitine
Taurine

Occasionally:

Grape Seed Oil
Calcium
Zinc

"TRAINING TREATS & GOODIES"

Bananas slices, canteloupe chunks, skinned apple bites, avocado,
baked liver bites, peanut butter, boiled boneless/skinless chicken,
string cheese, etc.

There are three "processed foods" I feed for training:
Great Bait Liver Bites
Natural Balance Beef Roll
Mini Marshmallows
Bread balls

Friday, December 18, 2009

Under the Miss ~ eltoe

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

clean - up

Watching Misty tolerate the antics of Erica ... reminds my of Echo taunting Riley ... eight years ago.

What a GREAT group of puppies !

These playtimes confirm my feeling that Zzzen would love to go home as "The King" or with an adult female ... preferably a Doberman.

Misty has always been, and continues to be, a GREAT mother ... and now a wonderful role model for her puppies. I attribute this to her breeding, (Echo x Gunther), as I
believe these traits START in the genes. i feel that was then secured by the type of dam Misty had ~ Echo was, undoubtedly, THE best mother I have ever seen ... and
she carried that over into being a FABULOUS grand-dam and mentor for the puppies. I do NOT believe you can have solid, confident, future role model puppies ...
... unless you have dams who rear them that way, literally, from WHELP (birth).

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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.