Thursday, December 31, 2009
Under the  Miss ~ eltoe       
The ongoing photo journal of Katoba Dobermans' 2009 "Miss & Mister" Litter   ~   DPCA Futurity Nominated for 2010
As anti-climactic as it may be, this is the end of "New Years Eve" at Camp Katoba.
My champagne was bottled water ~ the hors de oeuvres consisted of a Honey Crisp Apple.
The 'pups going to McDonald's' was the entertainment for the evening ...
... and since Todd was at work, the New Years Eve kiss will have to wait until sometime on New Years Day.
The fireworks and 'New Year' celebrations occurred all around us ~ the pups and I watched the sky light up,
followed by the repetitive 'booms of burning money', (I never have understood that).
Violet and Breeze hated the big sounds, Erica, Soleil, and Zzzen barked at them, and the big kids just kept on sleeping.
It is the end to another calendar year; "Good Riddance" to the bads; a thankful wave to the passing goods; a welcoming of great things to come.
I made no New Years Resolutions ~ I do not believe in that ... but, I do pray for the usuals: peace on earth, integrity amongst people ... and I give thanks.
Finally, I just got a big "snuggle" from each of the puppies before I prepare to close my eyes in slumber once the midnight bell tolls.

Thanks to Misty and Mr. B, we have all experienced a bit of the incredible journey through the first 5 months of puppy-hood at 'Camp Katoba'.
For the "Miss & Mister Litter", it has been an event that now lives in history ... a look into what this breeder and these puppies experienced ~
~ from the planning, breeding, whelp, rearing, placements, education, good times and bad, and now preparation for bright futures for all involved.
Whether you like Misty, Mr. B, or Me  ...  or not,
Whether you appreciate the breeding ... or not,
Whether you are a Doberman person ... or not,
Whether you can admit to participating in this online experience ... or not,
Whether you enjoyed it ... or not,
The truth is: You chose to be a part of this adventure simply by reading todays - or ANY day's - entry :)

So, as this Photo Journaling Event was approaching its end on this 31st day of December, in the year 2009 ...
... I contemplated what would come next for this documentation of puppy events.
Thanks, in part, to my husband, Todd ... and the supporters who send "keep it going" requests ...
and not to be forgotten is that formerly 'disgruntled e-mailer',
(you remember ~ the one who said this was "nothing more than a poorly written blog ... with pix") ...
... I have decide to continue with the documenting of the 'dogs lives' ...  in journal/blog-like form.
Therefore, in January 2010, I will introduce:
"The DOG BLOG ... with Pix"
(CopyrightKBabbitt2010)
... featuring: Katoba Dobermans
Thank you, again, for all of the support, the memories, and the fun.
It is now 1:45am on January 1, 2010 ...
... and I will close this with a simple:
Happy  New Year
and ...
God Bless ...
~  Kathy Babbitt
There's a full moon out tonight ...  typical, cold, and rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest ... and it's New Years Eve.
Tomorrow the puppies will be 5 months old, and there are still 3 puppies available for placement ... WHEN the "right" homes come along.
I have seen them go from new whelp ... to puppies ... and now ... "kids".
Once they had finished with the gluttony ...
... all retreated to the downstairs for a quick run outside and then back in for a nap ~ while I spent some quality time with just the big kids upstairs.
The little darlings each sat for a photo, though, before finding that perfect spot on their dogbeds.
Once in the house, all five of the pups ... and the adult dogs ... thoroughly enjoyed their "treats".
While all of them are beautiful to look at and amazing to watch move ~
and they each are great to snuggle, play with, and love up to ~
each also has a very unique & enjoyable personality.
They can be extremely comical ... making me laugh aloud ... just as they were today.
"ERICA"
That was GREAT fun ...
... I want more ice cream ...
... NOW please.
"BREEZE"
Sharing in Violet's concern over
the thunderous sounds that will
be disturbing her beauty sleep.
"VIOLET"
Oh my goodness ... WHAT are
all those big, loud BOOMS?
(great, she's another Logan)
"SOLEIL"
My sister stepped on my head
just before MY photo ...
... she HAD to ruin MY moment
"ZZZEN"
"Cheese" - I'll smile for the
camera ... 'cause I'm the
happiest boy in the world.
They all respond to their names, individually - even when running in a group - and know basic obedience commands, (sit, here/come, wait, off, leave-it, etc.).
They are all training for their upcoming place in the conformation ring ~ doing well and looking stunning.
Their nails have been dremeled regularly since day 3, and they have just begun introduction to the clippers for removal of whiskers and extra ear hair.
They have lost their baby teeth and most are presenting with full mouths of beautiful "great whites" ~ brushing daily and chewing marrow bones weekly.
They are all, of course, crate trained & house/potty trained - and now, Zzzen & Louis are, officially, "leg-lifters".
Their ears are nearing a 50/50 state of standing without fail, and are primarily supported with Breath Rite Strips & Skin Bond - some with tape;
and, occasionally, I will re-post with tongue depressors if I see some weakness in their presentation due to growth or teething.
They are fabulous "little dogs", now, and we are all so proud of them.
I cannot believe they looked like this (below), just 5 short months ago
I got the 5 youngsters loaded into the car ... yes, the car - not the jeep where crates would have fit - but the car.
They did great on the way TO the Golden Arches ...
... Soleil, Zzzen, Erica, and Breeze sitting in a row in the backseat while Violet laid on the front passenger seat next to me.
(DISCLAIMER: This is NOT the safest way to travel with dogs or even A dog, and I strongly recommend against it).
I am sure, when I first got to the drive-thru window and ordered NINE cheeseburgers, (one for EVERY dog to each when we got back home),
and 2 ice cream cones, (I only have 2 hands so they were going to SHARE :) ...
... that it brought on a raised eyebrow or two ... until I pulled up to the first window.
I paid at the that window and there was some immediate discussion when she shut it ...
... then several of the employees came rushing to glare at the car-full-of-canines.
i just took a deep breath and coated to the second window.
The '12-year-old' with the 'surfer-wanna-be' haircut who greeted me at the second window immediately shoved BOTH ice cream cones at me.
He then proceeded to start whistling and baby-talking at the puppies ~ his ridiculous enthusiasm over seeing the dogs started a small frenzy inside the car.
I asked him if he thought that was wise, given he had just handed me ice cream cones ... and he was now instigating a small riot in my car?
He then asked if the dogs would hurt him if he came outside to see them ... to which I replied - with a big smile - "it is not the pups you need to worry about at this point -
hahahahaha :)
He then had the ignorant gall to ask to "pull forward to wait for the rest of [your] order".
WHAT? Are you kidding me? This began as a fun adventure and was now a wrestling match of dober-pups thanks to the goofy moron at the drive-thru window.
It took me less than 3 seconds to realized this was a perfect opportunity for the puppies to eat the ice cream that had now begun to melt a bit - good timing actually.
Do NOT get me wrong ~ it was a messy frenzy ... but it was a fun, silly, great 30 seconds of messy frenzy.
It was so cute to see them licking the ice cream off each others faces after they had all taken a dive for the cones.
They had devoured the ice cream cones and had all been licked clean by time the "bag-o-burgs" arrived at the car window.
We got the "food" home and that is when I realized my biggest challenge was going to be ...
... getting all five of the puppies back INTO the house with the giant bag of artery plaque in my hand.
I am sure it was comical ... albeit, it was at that moment I deemed that a ONE TIME event.
Yes ... I had my camera with me.
But now ~ humor me for a moment here ~ gather your own visual ... and give this some thought before you expect to see are great photo. :)
Here is the SOLE photograph taken ... and it actually appears to be MY ear?
Miss Congeniality
"Breeze"
Miss Priss
"Violet"
Miss America
"Erica"
The Miss & Mister Litter has experienced so many things that have made them the stronger and more amazing pups that they are today ~ they have had lots of social
exposure, they have endured grief, they have traveled, they have had lots of field trips and exciting adventures, they have been through surgeries, they have even
watched part of their house and their yard flood ... they have made every kind of transition, adapted to every change, and braved every right of passage ... coming through
each powerful event with strength, confidence, and more gusto than before. Thus, proving the need for and successes of specific early neurological stimulation exercises,
as well as continued bio-sensory routines from Day 2 forward. I believe that makes them very resilient to most things, allowing for solid recovery when needed.
Now they have their kennel room back ... and they have their yard back ...
The Dog Room Flood affected the Dogs Yard, leaving it a MESS ... temporarily.
The Backyard Clean-up at 80% complete - it will take FOREVER to get grass back.
Amidst the showers of rain and the darkened gloomy sky, the pups all found time to have fun with their mom.
Violet, Breeze, and Misty
Misty, Soleil, and Zzzen
A very serious Erica
Misty and VIolet
The "kids" did not get dirty today ... no, they got downright YUCKY.
So ... instead of the usual walk-in-shower bathing routine, I thought we would have some fun with BUBBLES.
Had I not needed to use the flash, these would be some GREAT photos ...
... as it is, this is still one of my favorites.
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CLICK HERE for the New Years Day 2010 Litter Update.
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Enjoy the life and times of these very special puppies through their eight-chapter photo journal saga,
(click on the links below).
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 4
Chapter 3
Chapter 2
Chapter 1
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Copyright2009,2010KBabbitt. All Rights Reserved. use of ANY materials on this site or its linked pages is explicitly prohibited.
If you are interested in being considered for one of the show prospect puppies available, (see above),
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.
"The DOG BLOG ... with Pix"
When the right "forever homes" come along for Soleil and Zzzen, I will be happy for them, and especially happy for the people who will get to share in their great lives.
But ... I will also feel crushed, worried, anxious, relieved, intrigued, and ... I will be in agony ... missing them. That is the way it goes. Breeding is torture on the heart.
When and if Breeze leaves the nest ... I may actually need sedation  :).
Violet and Erica are "mine", and without a doubt, will be staying right here to fill my life with constant adventure.
Violet is proud, private, and precious ... she is a true princess; Erica is bubbly, bold, and beautiful ... she is a true red-dobergirl.   
Nevertheless, while these five are all still here, they are all "family".
That said, tonight, for some out-of-the-ordinary fun ...
... I decided to take the "family" for a car ride ... to McDonald's.
Tonight they get to try their first cheeseburgers and ice cream cones.
Good for them? Consistant with my REAL FOODS diet??
Heck NO.
But, it is the Eve of the New Year ... and the dogs are going to "party" a little.