Katoba Dobermans ~ "Emerald Dozen's 2nd Birthday"

Top row, left to right:
Ledger, Logan, Cahill, Guinness, Simon, Sonya

Bottom row, left to right:
Apollo, Tyler, Vedder, Oz, Misty, Ronin

"Birthday Week" ...
... began at the Health Testing Clinic in Summit, Wa. It was sponsored by a Papillon Club, so you can imagine the comments we got about the "size of our papillons".
All the dogs behaved beautifully and were fabulous examples of solid temperament and exempliary behavior (thanks to the dedicated training of the families).
Ronin acted as a demo dog for the CERF test. Ronin was actually tested, as was his littermate brother, Cahill. Both tested Normal.
To date, eight out of twelve in the litter have been CERF tested ... all Normal results. Also offered at the clinic, the OFA Cardiac Auscultation exam.
Six of the littermates, (Vedder, Ronin, Cahill, Misty, Logan & Tyler), were tested, and their dam, Echo, added this to her heart test stats. Happily, all tested Normal.
The clinic offered vaccinations & microchipping as well, but, all the littermates were microchipped before placement,
and all present were already current on rabies vaccinations.
The Katoba family had other health updates conducted this week/month including OFA Hip xrays, Thyroid panels, Holter testing, and other forms of wellness care.
The Papillon club thanked us for our participation and contribution to keeping these types of health clinics going ...
... and I offer my thanks and appreciation to the Katoba families who show dedication to the health testing, wellness care, and training of these dogs!
The story continues below...

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Top Row:
Vedder & Dr. Cindy Smith DVM, demonstrate Cardiac Auscultation
Ronin & Dr. Thomas Sullivan, DVM Dipl. ACVO, demo CERF exam
Logan's acupuncture appointment with Dr. Cindy Geisler, DVM

Second Row:
The Katoba kids awake to balloons in the kennel.
Echo takes a morning run with Tyler & Logan.
Grace & Payton celebrate Ronin's 2nd Birthday.

Third Row:
Cahill waits patiently for his birthday cupcake.
Tyler & Logan posed, at the Seattle KC, for spectator Thea O'Leary.
Ed & Vedder in the Rally Ring at the Seattle Kennel Club shows.

Bottom Row:
Tyler first conformation class with Cathy, at Royalwood.
Misty wants the cake ... while Firefighters sing "Happy Birthday".

Below Left:
Three Qualifying Rally Scores ~ Ed & Vedder (92), Kathy with Cahill (88) & Misty (94), Judge Carl Freidrich

Below Right, (clockwise from left):
Misty, Tyler, Ronin, Logan, Cahill

... it continues ...
On March 4, 2009, the Katoba kids awoke to the kennel room garnished with emerald green balloons.
They started the day with the usual "dawn dash" with Echo, followed by breakfast and a nap before the festivities began.
Later, the McLaughlin girls came over with Ronin for a Birthday party. Angie brought party hats & fresh knuckle bones for all the dogs.
She even mananged to get a photo with five of the littermates all sitting still at once - an enormous feat considering the energy level in the house at the time.
While Ronin towers over her, Misty soon found him to be a great play buddy - and Ronin found Misty to be a great running pal.
After the fun-n-run, we assembled in the kitchen for a round of "Happy Birthday" ... where Grace & Payton handed out a cupcake to each of the dogs.
Later that evening, Katoba's traditional canine "Birthday Dinner" of boneless Rib Eyes, Baked Potato w/yogurt, and chopped steamed veggies was served up.
I was thrilled to hear recently from Simon's family, Oz's mom, and Ledger's family ~ updates & fun details added to the celebration of these gems turning two!
On Thursday, Tyler had his first official conformation training session with Cathy Ceely, (Emerald Dobermans), who is agent for Tyler in AKC conformation ring.
Cathy was able to show Tyler just how much fun he will have in the ring ... in turn, showing me just how great he can look once he is having fun!
As the weekend approached, we prepared for the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Shows, with Tyler & Logan entered in Conformation on Saturday only.
Cathy Ceely presented Tyler beautifully and he had a great time, placing second in the American Bred Class.
Logan had a "seperate agenda"~ she was much more interested in the attention from all the great Seattle spectators than she was is being a show dog.
Oh, well, she gets a "pass" from me, considering it was her birthday week.
Nevertheless, Tyler & Logan were a big hit with several spectators ... one of whom, (Thea O'Leary), emailed me photos she took of Tyler & Logan ringside.
Misty, Cahill & Vedder were all entered in Rally, both days.
On Saturday, I showed both Misty & Cahill ~ each receiving a score of 88 - both receiving a First leg toward Rally Novice titles.
That day, Vedder, like Logan, was focused on things other than performing ~ 'like brother-like sister' ~ and received an NQ ... for "Not Quite" - hahahaha:).
On Sunday, these three competed again ~ Cahill got another 88 & his Second Rally Novice Leg; Misty got a super score of 94 & her Second Rally Novice Leg.
And then there was Vedder - who got BIG style points for going "from NQ to 92" - giving he & Ed their First Rally Novice Leg ... Congratulations Becker-boys!
I am especially proud of these dogs, (& Tyler who already has his RN title) ... none of whom have ever attended a Rally class, (nor have their handlers) ... yet!
Misty got a special treat near the end of the birthday extravaganza when she went to visit her dad at work ...
... she had a birthday cake celebration with King County Medic One, and three King County Firefighters.
A HUGE thank you to Don, Todd, Beau, Kevin, and Andrew ... not only did they share their 'house', but they even SANG "Happy Birthday" to her.
As the weekend came to an end, so did the festivities of "Birthday Week" for Katoba's Emerald Dozen ...
... but, not before one last surpise ...
... SNOW !!
Yes it began snowing ... vigorously. So, before they went down for a good nights' sleep on that last day of their 2nd Birthday Week,
we were all back outside for some running and playing in the fluffy white of the evening.

View YouTube video of:
Logan catching Snowflakes

This was a fun week ... with TWELVE reasons to continue celebrating!

"Ledger, Logan, Cahill, Guinness, Simon, Sonya, Apollo, Tyler, Vedder, Oz, Misty, Ronin ...

Happy 2nd Birthday!"