Bella - Sire~Saranac Sam

I don't know if you remember us but this is Amy Halbakken originally from WA state and recently moved to CO state. I wanted to send a couple of pics of the dogs and to tell you that they absolutely love it here. I had some issues with them escaping and tracking down the wildlife here but we got an invisible fence and they are now reformed and great! We recently had a photographer come to our house for family pics and she ended up falling in love with our dogs instead so here are a few of the pictures she took of them. She is planning on putting Beau on her website she loved him so much. Thanks for the dogs that mean the world to our family!”       

Cheyanne Longley - Sire~Saranac Sam

“Hi Karen,

…Cheyanne has been a joy to have and the kids are great with her!!!!!  The first month was really rough with her not wanting to sleep at all at night and being up all night was affecting my work but the past 6 days she has been sleeping great!!!    I guess that's when crating is a plus       :-)    and she loves her field trips to socialize (which she has to do for her obedience classes)...she sits, lies down and knows her name well!!!!!!    we have to work on her jumping up at peoples back legs when they are walking because she wants to play but she bites and has put holes in 4 peoples  pants and I'm not sure what to do...I have pointed to her mouth  and lightly tapped it and said "no" and she actually BARKS!!!! which I never heard and thinks you want to play!!!!!  but she loves being able to be on the porch or outside when nobody is home....she HATED to be left alone and would howl for hours and now she loves just being out ...killing birds...ugh....she was sick from that one night! she ate a bird...the whole thing and threw up a lot of the night!!!  she gets LOTS of love and her markings are unbelievable! The vet just ADORES her!!! …  THANKS FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL PUP!!!!

Chochopi - Sire~Fantastic Fred

"Hi Karen,
Just wanted to update you on how we are doing.  Chochopi made the trip home beautifully, one stop, then he slept for the next five hours.  He's making friends fast at home and everyone loves him.  He has the sweetest personality!  Thank you Karen for the wonderful work you do raising and breeding NAID's.  We enjoyed our time with you and your dogs.  Thank you for the new addition to our family.  We love him!

Jeff & Mistie"
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“Hi Karen,
He's almost 10 months old now and weighs 105lbs.  He can be quite a handful especially since he thinks he's a lap dog. (Ouch!)
We have been surprised by his protective nature of the family.  He can be very intimidating.  He won't let anyone in the house until we let him know their welcome.  Then he's all hugs and kisses.  He's a wonderful friend and companion we all love dearly.  Thanks again!
Jeff and Mistie”
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“Hi Karen,
Just wanted to keep in touch and send you some updated pictures of Chochopi.  He has gotten a lot bigger than we anticipated.  Hopefully he's done growing!  We have a wonderful addition to the family, our first Grandson.  Chochopi absolutely loves him.  He's like a gentle giant around him, always careful not to hurt him.  He is truly a special breed of dog.  Thanks again Karen for this special "big guy" you've blessed us with, I don't know what we would do without him.
Jeff & Mistie”  
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“Hi Karen,  

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that Chochopi is home safe.  He is unbelievable, it’s like we’ve had him his whole life.  He bonded with our children immediately and made himself at home.  He is so tired today from the trip yet he still managed to play ball with our son every time he came outside.  He gave the neighborhood squirrels a run for their money too.  He also let us know that he wanted to be inside the house and right now he’s asleep under our dining room table.  Thank you so much for giving us this special gift and I promise you we will love him and care for him years from now as much as we do today.  We’ll talk to you soon.  

Thanks again,  

Dakota Gordon - Sire~Fantastic Fred

Our Dog is going on six months old.  First one we have owned.

He is 78 lbs and will peak out at about 140 to 150 lbs. (the opinion of the vet.)

I have been a dog owner all of my life and I can say this breed is quite unique.

They are headstrong but intelligent beyond your wildest imagination.  These animals are also very attached to the family (pack) and will not like being away from people.  The affection Dakota shows is almost unbelievable.

You will have a time at house training, but command training is a breeze with doggie treats to reward and a firm NO when they do wrong.  These animals are very strong and will guide you on a leash if you do not start walk training very early.  I started Dakota at two months old and he has become quite the companion while walking.

These animals will look you direct in your eyes when you talk to them and almost exhibit an expression of understanding.

These animals are not apartment dogs and need some good running room.  They also like to dig!

Every place I have taken Dakota, the comments from everyone is what a beautiful dog----what breed is it?  To sum it all up:  Head strong, determined, lovable, beautiful, intelligent, strong, very healthy and wonderful friend.

I hope this all helps.  Best of luck and whatever Karen will tell you, it will be the truth.  She is the best thing that has ever happened to an animal breed.

Best of luck
Clem”
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“Hi Karen, 

A quick story with a happy ending---Dakota got loose today and was gone about 4 hours.  I had reported it to the police and a neighbor about two miles away found him.  When I went to get Dakota, the guy said “just what kind of animal is this and where do I get one”.  Keep in mind, Dakota has had only visits from relatives and friends of ours, he has never been out un-supervised. I was worried he might hurt someone because of his size.

The guy says, Dakota ran up to his son getting off the school bus, put the kid into a bear hug and began licking him like he had known him all of his two years of life.

He said he was shocked a dog that was so large and tough looking turned out to be a real live teddy bear.  His son asked if Dakota could come and visit.

The guy asked for your phone number and I gave it to him.

This more than anything I can imagine is a testament to the fine breeding and temperament of your dogs.  Dakota passed the ultimate test of unsupervised interaction with strangers.  I had always wondered what would happen and I was more than pleased.

Please use me as a reference anytime.  Again thank you for this incredible animal (friend). 

Best of luck with all that you may attempt.

Love,

Dakota McDonald - Sire~Saranac Sam

"Karen

Dakota is doing very well.  We have fallen in love with her, she is incredibly outgoing and friendly.  She started vaccinations yesterday, and everyone at the Vet's clinic fell in love, I had several offers for puppy-sitting privileges and she slept through her vaccination!  She now weighs 10 pounds, so is progressing nicely.  I hope all is well with you and your family and critters.

Dorothy"
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“Karen,

Finally, an update on our puppy Dakota!  She is now 6 1/2 months and 65 pounds.  Her one goal is to spend every moment possible with her "people-pack".  I laugh to read the other comments, Dakota has also proven to be very intelligent, yet a stubborn girl.  Her training progresses: heel, sit, lay down, stay, come, go to your crate are all coming along very well, but she is still a "work in progress" and an exuberant 6 month old!  Every stranger, and new dog, is a potential friend and she insists on meeting and greeting all.  She adores spending time outdoors, you'll be interested to know that bird-watching/chasing is her specialty.  She also loves to watch the deer, wild turkeys and ground squirrels that roam on the other side of our fence.  We continue to get  comments on how beautiful she is...  Dakota loves Clementines, peeling them carefully with her teeth and December was a happy time for her! - 4 months - We took Dakota to Lake Tahoe to see snow, and found her natural element.  She was in doggy heaven! - 6 months I hope this finds you and your family well and happy, we send our best regards.

Durango Keesee

Ecko - Sire~Saranac Sam

Honiahaka  "Nia" - Sire~Saranac Sam

"Hi Karen,  

I just wanted to write and tell you how wonderful Honiahaka is! We call her "Nia" for short. She is the daughter of Saranac Sam and Keyonee. She is now 18 weeks old and when she was to the vet 2 weeks ago she weighed in at 40 lb.! Everyone at the vet's office is so taken with her.  

She is a joy to have in our family. She loves the kids so much. One of her favorite routines is to get them up in the morning for school. She also loves playing in the snow with them. She loves the snow!!! 

I just wish I had a digital camera so I could send you some pictures of her now via e-mail. She is looking more and more like Saranac Sam everyday. She is so beautiful! We're always getting compliments on what a beautiful dog she is. The kids have had her to their classrooms for visits a couple of times now and she is always a big hit with everyone. She loves all the kids! 

Well, I just wanted you to know how happy we are with her and to wish you Happy Holidays!  

 Dianne "
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Hi Karen,

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how Honiahaka "Nia" is doing.  She is growing up so fast.  She is a female from Keyonee and Saranac Sam Son of Fred born last August 2003.   Hard to believe she is almost 11 months old.  This photo was taken when she was 5 months old.   She reminds me very much of her sire Sam.  She has got the nicest personality, very intelligent and very athletic and not a mean bone in her body. 

She loves playing soccer with the kids and loves to wrestle and play with the neighbor's dog.  She tries to get the cats to play with her too, but her size intimidates them.  The only time the cats get close and want to lay is when Nia is sleeping. 

She has gotten into some mischief also.  I was busy in the kitchen when I noticed that Nia was missing and I could smell a slight floral scent.  I went to investigate and discovered Nia on the bed watching a can of furniture polish spraying out all over.  She had punctured the can with her teeth and then jumped up on the bed to watch the can spray out its contents all over the room.   Upon closer inspection I also discovered that her legs were covered in "blue".  She had gotten into a tube of toothpaste and squeezed out the entire contents all over her face and body and then ate the rest.  There is still a lot of "puppy" in her.  She loves to hide her toys around the house.  She has three small stuffed toys that she is always hiding in the cushions of the couch or under the pillows or under our beds.  Then she will take her nose and try to cover up the toy and hide it with a bed blanket or a towel or washcloth that she steals from the bathroom.  I even found her hiding one of her toys in my large potted plant.  She is so funny to watch.  Nia also seems to have some herding instincts.  She is always trying to herd the horses whenever I am leading them up to the barn and back to the pasture.  She will also herd the cow back into her stall and stand guard so that she doesn't escape.  She loves to sit at the top of our field and overlook the valley and the neighbor's houses.  I have had her to obedience classes and she has done exceptionally well.  She will be taking her test in the next month or so to be certified in obedience training.  Nia is the first Native American Indian Dog that the class instructor has been exposed to and the instructor is very impressed with the breed.

Well, guess that is all the updates for now.  We love her dearly and are very thankful to you for breeding her.

Iyotan Sani - Sire~Nitcha 1

"The only thing I can say is he has more personality than any dog I have ever been around.  He likes to "talk" to me.  He's wonderful!"
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I wanted to send you some updated pictures of Sani.  This is him and my son Andrew.  As you can tell, they are big friends.  Andrew is 14 months old, and Sani is now 3 years old.  These pictures were taken on March 26^th.  We were having some bad weather and I brought Sani in.  I don’t like him being outside in bad weather.  Anyway, he stayed in all night.  He is a really good babysitter!  He constantly watches Andrew when he is around him, and when Andrew is asleep, Sani listens for him.  If he makes the slightest whimper, Sani beats me to Andrew’s room.  I just wanted to give you a long awaited update.

God Bless!

Kya

Kyan Devine - Sire~Fantastic Fred

“Hi Karen,

Hope you are all doing well.  Enjoy the picture.   I am so looking forward to a future of breeding NAIDs!! Buying Kyan was by far, the best thing I have ever done! Thanks for you're hard work in restoring this PERFECT breed!!!  Have a good one! Becky”  
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“Hi Karen,

Queltaga - Sire~Saranac Sam

“Dear Karen,

Hi!  Hope you and your family are well.  This is Kevin and Jeanne and Sapphire and Queltaga saying Everything is great!!  Sorry it has taken me so long to write. Queltaga is 11 weeks old and 37 lbs.   He is very smart, loving and beautiful.  We are so happy to have him in our family.  Sapphire and Queltaga love each other.  Here is a picture of the two.

Everyone who meets our pup immediately falls in love with him.  All is well and again we thank you for our wonderful new addition to our family.  Kevin and Jeanne”
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“Hi Karen,

You sold me a wonderful, huge boy, son of Keyonee and Saranac Sam, a little over two years ago.  He is an incredible dog who loves everyone and does something to make us laugh every day.  His name is Queltaga, which is a Hopi name meaning "guardian of the people".  He stands thirty-one and a half inches at the shoulder and weighs 120 pounds.  He is gentle with children and an excellent hunter.  He has been known to catch birds out of mid air, many squirrels, and even a mud turtle.  I wanted to send you a recent picture so you can enjoy him as much as we do.   The picture was taken after a day of swimming in a lake and playing with children.  Feel free to post his picture on your website so others can enjoy him. 

Thanks again and best wishes,

Kevin Flaherty

Sakari

Sempai - Sire~Saranac Sam

“Dear Karen: … I just happened to look at your website because Thor and I were talking about getting another NAID for Sempai to play with in the near future (after the baby is born).  …

I have attached two pictures of Sempai at six months (70 lbs) and one at 3 months.  He is an amazing dog; we are impressed by his temperament, intelligence, and companionship every day.  He is wonderful, thank you.  Not to mention that everyone on the street asks what breed he is, and some people will be calling you… 

Tim Lawrence Puppy

Yoki Kilbane - Sire~Saranac Sam

Zoe - Sire~Saranac Sam

“Hi Karen,