Cytka - Sire~Fantastic Fred

“Karen,

Thought we'd drop in to let you know how Cytka is doing. The trip back went very well. Him & Airon slept at least half the trip home. He's doing well on potty training, only 4 accidents in the last week . One of those was our fault for not moving quick enough, but we are working together, lol. He has learned sit already & is on lay now. He'll be starting puppy obedience Feb. 7th. He's been working with me behind the desk. For now he has to  until his 2nd set of shots which he'll get Feb. 3rd, but he doesn't mind, just more time to rest. He loves the kitties here at home & Nahla ( the little girl ) lets him just love all on her. She'll sleep with him at the end of the bed & let him know when he's being to rough. He has met our other dogs, but they have decided the slow approach is better, because he's so excited. Our big boy likes him, but when Cytka's excitement starts bubbling Sofer doesn't know what to think... I give him another week & Cytka will have him rolling on the floor. The older girls don't quite know yet what to think, so we are letting them go it at their own pace. As for all us people we just adore him. My 4 month old niece just thinks he is awesome & he loves her, too. He has captured all our hearts !! Thanks so much for this wonderful boy ! I'm sending some pics & will keep you updated on our big boy. Take care & tell Fred & Mecosta their boy is doing great ! He sends puppy kisses to you all !  

                                            All our thanks,

Gail's Dog - Sire~Fantastic Fred

Hantaiwee - Sire~Fantastic Fred
(Faithful - Sioux)

“Hi Karen!

Well, we're well into Day 2, and Tai is incredible!  She slept most of the way home yesterday, and began exploring her new surroundings the minute she got through the door.  She woke a number of times during the night, but each time we were able to comfort her, and she would curl up into her blanket and go right back to sleep.  She seems to be getting the hang of our household rhythms, and accommodates new people and things very easily.  She's already had several visitors, and each time she has been very friendly. 

She's also doing really well in the training department...we're noticing her signs, and each time we take her out, she goes...you were right about this part.  Very few accidents.  And the best part is how affectionate she is with us already.  She licks my face, curls up her face on Hallie's lap, and cuddles up to all of us very easily.  She even rolls over to have her tummy scratched.  She is truly living up to her name (Sioux for "faithful")...

What an amazing girl!  Smart, gorgeous, friendly and already a beloved member of our family.  We'll keep you posted on her progress, and be sure to email pictures soon.

God bless you, your family and your amazing NAIDs,

Koda Plath - Sire~Fantastic Fred

“Hi Karen,

Lakota Rodriguez - Sire~Paahuma

I figured out the pictures...........hope you enjoy. We continue to take pictures daily. This morning she started to learn to sit on command...with treats at first then with and without treats. So far she hasn't forgotten what sit means this morning...even when she hasn't heard the command for awhile....I can already tell how smart she is...........lol

Barb”
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“Hi Karen, 

We made it through our first vet visit. Lakota was a perfect puppy. She never said boo when she received her injection.

She is settling in very well. She is finding her place with each person in the house.......she is so smart. 

We love her so much that we are already talking about getting a second NAID next year. 

Have a great weekend, 

Mystique - Sire~Paahuma

Siouxie - Sire~Paahuma

“Hi Karen!

Many, many belated thanks for the kind hospitality you showed Grant and me while we were in the process of picking up our pup between Christmas & the New Year, progeny of the late Paahuma and the still vital Mecosta.  

You were so very kind to put us up on such short notice and, not least, you were a gem to help us get through customs -- I thought for a while for sure that Grant would end up in some sort of jail, as the inspectors were so suspicious and, er, uncompromising... But at the end of the day, we were home with the pup, and grateful. 

Of course she cried for the first couple of nights, missing her mom and litter-/play-mates, and my heart went out to her so much that I cried with her, cradling & comforting her as much as possible for a couple of hours at a time. She howled so pitifully and long... I hurt with her. Didn't anticipate how hard it was going to be on her... 

But now, at just over 4 months, she's a little Spitfire of utter confidence. Has her attitudes. Challenges us at every opportunity (to which we say, "Oh, yeah? Dream on...") Yet she's so willing, and smart. Sits & stays nicely on command and so on.  

Ok, so housebreaking was a pain for a short while, until we hit on a sure-fire system: I put a set of left-over Christmas bells by the door and taught her to ring them to get our attention. It only took 3 or 4 times of showing her to get the idea and ever since we've had no "accidents." It works so well -- the dog is so happy to have perceived "control" over going out, and we're very very happy that she "tells" us via this method.  

We've named her Siouxie (pronounced "Suzie") -- in part to acknowledge her Indian Dog-ness, and in a nod to one of my favorite singers and her band in the 1980s, called "Siouxie & the Banshees." That's partly because, after living this pup for a couple of weeks, we saw the "banshee" part of her starting to emerge -- a really willful critter bent on wreaking havoc with everything within range of her teeth & claws. To our delight, of course... 

Every day she looks more and more like her grammy, Whitney, crossed also with Ultimate Ukiahya or even Hakata We, in addition to Paahuma. Most of Siouxie's coat is now mostly a classic "spirit dog" black & white pattern, but is also coloured with the tortoise-shell that you saw in her even as a tiny pup. Kudos -- you know your dogs! 

And, as per the testimonials you post on your website, all the responses we get when people see Siouxie run along the same lines: "She's the prettiest/ most gorgeous dog I've ever seen." My nearest neighbours out here (about 1 mile away) are totally in love with Siouxie, always stopping to tell to me so... And my best friend who lives in Arizona , a dog-person too who's desperate for canine companionship, wants one of yours  too -- if it can stand the heat. And even my vet, who gave Siouxie her rabies shot, was blown away by Siouxie. Said she'd seen a lot of dogs in the course of her practice,, but none so "pretty." 

I attach pictures of Siouxie, to which I give you free access for your website, if you want them. I'm going to have her spayed soon (at 6 months), which partly makes me sad -- she's so gorgeous a dog -- she should have progeny. I see now why you wanted to keep her... 

Many thanks again, Karen, for all the services you provided. Your kindness and hospitality were and are much appreciated. 

Takoda Tyler - Sire~Fantastic Fred

Tango Mecosta - Sire~Fantastic Fred

Tango on R

“Hi Karen,

We thought we’d give you a short update about the trip home and the new world they’ve discovered.  After we left Majestic View we drove strait through for 12 hours.  The puppies sat in the backseat with the non-driver keeping them company and they were fantastic.  They did not mind the leash during pit stops (four altogether) and they slept comfortably most of the way.  We arrived home at 0500 on Sunday morning and they acclimated beautifully to the new surrounding.  They did not eat much on Sunday but they sure picked up the slack today… the have a healthy appetite.  Both learned to go up and down the stairs and explored the entire house.  Leash training was very easy with the boy (we named him Tango Mecosta Forel), the girl (Cha-Cha Whitney Forel) is getting used to walk on a leash but not as good as the boy yet.  She is very smart despite her young age and picking up things real fast.  They love the back yard, it is fenced and puppy proved and they run around and play.  It rained heavy today and they just loved playing in the rain.  Cha-Cha stool is a bit soft but it is better today than yesterday (pills and less anxiety).  Tango is so much bigger and stronger and he is bossing her around and shows his dominancy. She gets back at him when he is not ready… we believe once the age and size difference is no longer a factor she will be calling the shots.  We took many pictures (attached) and we are very happy with them and look forward to many years of sharing love and experiences with them.  I’ll update you periodically and send photos if it is ok with you.  Thanks again for introducing us to the NAID and for trusting your babies with us.

Best regards,

Ilana & Aaron” 
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“Hi Karen, 

Its been a while since our last e-mail.  Tango and Cha-Cha are growing up fast and doing great.  Attached is proof of spay for Cha-Cha, but keep the refund. By letting us have them you gave us enough.  Please use the money for the NAIDs.  Attached are a few recent photos of Tango, son of Mecosta and Fantastic Fred, and Cha-Cha daughter of Whitney and Looker.  He is very tall, long and lean, and he runs like the wind... real athlete.  Cha-Cha is long, full frame and not that tall.  She is powerful and very determined. Have a great Forth of July.

 Best regards,

Aaron & Ilana”  
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“Hi Karen, 

Tango is 18-months old... Cha-Cha is three weeks behind... the weather is getting nicer and it’s time for new photos.  We go daily on long walks and without exception, cars will stop and people will admire them and ask many questions.  There is a lot to admire beside their good looks.  They are so good, exceptionally smart and full of love.  Why own a dog when you can have a NAID? We will keep you posted. 

Cheers,

Tanka - Fantastic Fred

Tehyatala - Sire~Paahuma

“Hi Karen,  

We wanted to send you an update on Tehyatala and a couple of pictures for your website.  Tehyatala (Tala for short) is everything we could have hoped for in a pup.  She is a quick learner, loves to be around people, is brave (she likes to jump on Utaha when he is sleeping – so bravery is definitely there and oh yeah has sharp baby teeth), and cunning.  Here is an example, when Utaha takes something from her that she is really having a good time with she will pick up something else to play with and play with it like it is the best thing in the world.  Utaha will get jealous put down what he has taken away in order to take the new toy away and at this time Tala will grab the item that Utaha took away in the first place and hide under something that Utaha can’t climb under to get to her.  At this time Utaha has a look on his face of “WHA?????? , Sucker”.    

Tala and Utaha have hit it off very well and play constantly when they are not sleeping, eating, or training, so our goal of finding a playmate and companion for Utaha could not have gone better.  Tala has hit the 3 month mark and weighs in around 30 pounds, and if this keeps up she will rival Utaha as he was 33 pounds at 3 months and now weighs in at 128 pounds 2 years later.  Anne enrolled Tehyatala in a puppy training class and has been working with her religiously (I wish I could say the same) for the past 6 weeks and she has mastered all the basic commands like sit, heal, down, come and leave-it.  She is very out going and everyone that comes in contact with her wants to take her home.  We laugh and point them to your website, so if this keeps up you will need to open a kennel or office here in Texas (LOL).  

Darren and Anne”
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“Hi Karen,

We wanted to update you on Tehyatala and Utaha.  Karen, Tala is one of the most magnificent animals we have ever seen (next to Utaha of course).  Tehyatala graduated puppy training school with flying colors and the instructor should be contacting you to get on your waiting list.  He could not believe how intelligent she is and kept commenting on how quick she picked up on things.  The instructor has one of the biggest Great Danes I have ever seen (and I used to own one that I thought was huge 36” at the shoulder and weighed in around 175#).  During the play sessions at the end of each class, Tala would rather play with the big Dane than with the other pups, and he was not to sure how to react to her advances.  I guess being around Utaha has given her the idea that she needs to run with the big dogs.  Utaha and Tehyatala are inseparable.  They eat, sleep, play and try to see how much trouble that they can get into together.  While Utaha has settled down some, Tala is a ball of energy.  Thank you for your wonderful animals and the fantastic additions to our family.  We now have 4 children (Shannon, Travis, Utaha and now Tehyatala) and 2 cats.  We are attaching a couple of recent photos of Tala and Utaha feel free to post them if you would like.  Take care.

God bless you and your dogs,

Darren and Anne”
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“Hi Karen,

We wanted to send you a note and a couple of pictures of our First Place winner, Tehyatala.  We made the trip down for the NKC Dog Show that was held in Orange Texas on May 14^th.  Tehyatala was FANTASTIC!  She won a Blue ribbon (1^st place) in her Class (Working Dog Class) and won a Red ribbon (2^nd place) for Best in Show. 

I can’t remember traveling with such a well behaved pet.  At first we set up a traveling area in the back of our SUV for Tehyatala and she was not too happy to be there and tried to climb over the back seat a couple of times, so we moved her blanket up behind the front seats and she traveled there all the way down and back, sleeping and sitting up to look around.  We never had a problem with her and it took ~8 hours to make the drive down and ~6 hours on the drive back.