Bear - Sire~Catori

Dakota Taku - Sire~Mazato

I hope this note finds you well.  

It is hard to believe that we have already had Dakota for almost 5 months—to look at him, you’d think it has been 5 years.  He is still a little shy of 7 months old and already weighs more than 70 pounds.  Neighbors don’t believe us when we tell them he is still a puppy.  And he is growing from that pretty pup into an absolutely beautiful dog!!!  When we first came across your website, we read the letters from other owners that mentioned how they are constantly asked about the breed of their dog.  Well, that is 100% true—I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have told people about SID’s and NAID’s.  And even though we were skeptical about these beautiful animals being hypo-allergenic, Dylan has had itchy eyes just once since we have had Dakota, so my guess is that he encountered some other allergen that day.  

And now, after several cancellations and other delays, we finally have Dakota in a training class.  What an intelligent dog—he already knows most of the commands she is teaching and what he doesn’t know, he is learning very quickly.  She uses some different verbal commands than I taught him, but he is quickly learning these new words too.  The main thing I need to work on with him is his walking on a lead—he prefers to take me for the walk.  Prior to the start of training, I had no idea how to keep him from trying to pull so much—now that I’m learning, I suspect he will be walking by my side in another week or so.  As the trainer says several times a session, she is training the owners; the dogs already know how to do everything!!!  

As we mentioned way back when, we do have a pool in the back yard, but he has had no interest in joining us for a swim yet.  I know you said that the chlorine is not good for his skin or his coat, but I would like to see him get into the pool—I want to be sure he knows how to get out, just in case he accidentally falls in sometime.  Once he is finally brave enough to take that first plunge, I suspect there will be many return visits because he absolutely loves water.  He digs in his water bowls, spills them everywhere, and then just rolls in the puddles.  And he just loves the creeks that run through the neighborhood—the muddier (and smellier), the better!!!  I wish we had a couple mud bath photos to share with you—he is usually covered from head to tail…  

So far, the only problem is one that you warned us about—I really believe that he wants a full-time friend.  He has not yet met another dog that he didn’t like; unfortunately, he doesn’t get to visit with his dog friends as much as he would like.  We might have to see about getting him a permanent playmate!!!

Take care now,  

Glory - Sire~Catori

Ista HanhepiWi - Sire~Mazato

Just wanted to update you on Ista (son of Lunar & Mazato 11/28/08 ).  He's doing so wonderfully.  He is the object of attention everywhere we go.  He has a very stable, balanced personality.  He'll happily do anything I ask of him as we're training.  At 11 wks he knows sit, down, leave it, come and walks beautifully on lead.  He does this sneak attack play thing that is so funny... he'll lower his body and prowl over to one of our other dogs and then jump in the air towards them like "hah, I've got you now".  He cracks me up!!! He still loves to sleep on his back with all four paws in the air.  He loves all the people he meets at the office, our lunchtime frolicking in the park, and enjoys our evenings with the rest of the "pack".  He truly is such a joy.  We love him very much! At 10 weeks he weighed 20# and still growing..... He's so funny because he's sort of clumsy right now.  He doesn't really run with his big ole feet and long legs he sort of lopes. It's adorable.  I'll send more pics as soon as I can so you can post them if you wish. We're starting obedience class in March so that will be great fun. 

Ista is everything I hoped for and more (isn't that exactly what God promises :-)???).  Some of our spring backpackers who are local are stopping by to meet him and are looking forward to his "debut".  What a magnificent breed!!!!  Thank you so much.

Donna”
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“Hi Karen,

Just wanted to give you a couple more pictures of Ista. I'm running behind and will send more current ones when I have a chance.  He's quite handsome isn't he?  He has become quite the social butterfly.  He loves people (especially children) and other animals.  He seems to REALLY like the ladies ... and has a couple of girlfriends that he has doggy play dates with.  He has been out hiking with us and really confirmed to me that he was born to backpack.  He is so well behaved and happy in the backcountry.  Everyone loves him ... especially us!!!   

We have recently had a mishap in that my husband was struck by a car and is presently in a wheelchair with 2 broken legs.  Ista knew something was wrong.  I had him boarded with my vet while my husband was in the hospital and my vet said he could tell Ista was worried about us.  Once we got him home, he was very concerned and did a thorough evaluation of both of us.  He knows my husband is hurt and stays right with him.  When my husband is in his wheelchair, Ista lays right by the wheelchair as if he is guarding him.  It's quite a beautiful thing to see how much love and devotion he has for us (and we for him).  Pray all is well for you and the "kids".  Please keep in touch.

Donna”   
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“Hey Karen,

I figured you'd kick a kick out of this picture.  The larger tortoise shell male is a Lunar Eclipse/ Mazato SID, and the puppy is a Fire'N Ice/Yana Istas female.

"And they call it puppy love"

Kiera - Sire~Catori

Kiera the Siberian Indian Dog (daughter of Lunar Eclipse & Catori) is settling in very well with her new family.  She loves her little swimming pool and big yard.  She has met all the family and neighborhood dogs. She enjoys their company at family get togethers.  She spends weekends keeping company with my husband while he completes his chores in the yard.  She keeps company with us in the morning before work while we have our coffee and breakfast.  Kiera starts puppy kindergarten next week.  She already understands her name and the commands come, sit, down, off and leave it. Where ever we go she gets along with dogs and people.  She is a joy to all.  

We enjoy having her in our family.

The Bruce Family”
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“Dear Karen, 

Kiera has reached her second birthday and has grown into a beautiful and intelligent dog.   Her social skills and good behavior are constantly commented on where ever we go.  She has a 2 acre yard to roam and neighboring dogs who visit.  She sometimes visits her friends at dog daycare for a day of socializing.  She has been hiking, canoeing and loves riding in the back seat of the truck.  Her intelligence makes for enjoyable and successful training sessions.  She is truly hypoallergenic.  My husband has asthma and was surprised that he had no allergic reaction.  We hope some day to come back for a visit. 

Kiera is definitely enjoying her life in Connecticut.  

Kodiak - Sire~Catori

After 2 days and a round trip of almost 1600 miles, we finally arrived at home with our new pup--and he had about as many names during this journey as our car had miles.  But the kids finally agreed upon Kodiak--we all thought he looked like a little bear cub, so that's the name that finally stuck.   

On the way home, we took a little detour to let Kodiak see Lake Erie --we couldn't be that close and not let the kids see one of the Great Lakes too!!!  Otherwise, the rest of the trip was safe and uneventful--only one poop in the car that Kodiak quickly stepped in, then he decided to climb up Laurie's leg.  We all thought that was pretty funny--Laurie did not!!! 

When we finally got home, we all went to say hello to Dakota before introducing him to Kodiak.  It was very easy to sense that he knew something was going on.  I was concerned that he would not initially be very fond of a new family member, so I was a little worried about how he would react to the new puppy.  When you and I were chatting at Majestic View, you said that they would be fine within 4 or 5 hours.  It literally was more like 4-5 seconds!!!  My guess is that Dakota could smell his mom all over Kodiak.  Whatever it was--Dakota welcomed Kodiak immediately.  As a matter of fact, not 5 minutes after we introduced the pups to each other, Dakota was already being protective of his little brother.  The next door neighbors came home and let their dogs out.  Kodiak starting to go through the fence to visit his new 'neighbors' and Dakota used his nose and his paw to quickly pull him back into our yard.  That was pretty neat to watch. 

Kodiak, although initially shy, is definitely coming out of his shell--Dakota is not really giving him any other options.  But he is also a pretty sharp little pup.  He turns to his name more often than not and he sits on command more than half the time--and almost all the time if a treat is involved.  I also give Dakota the commands of 'Sit' and 'Wait' before going through doors or before crossing roads.  Kodiak follows his lead almost every time and he has only been watching this for a week and a half.   

So now Dakota (Lunar Eclipse/Mazato 11/28/08) and Kodiak (Lunar Eclipse/Catori 7/18/09) are quickly becoming best buds--of course, Dakota has been tumbling and wrestling with him pretty hard and slobbering all over him--I can see some serious payback in the near future--say about another 30 pounds down the road... 

Thanks for two beautiful pups, 

Luna - Sire~Mazato

“Karen,  

Luna, daughter of Mazato and Lunar Eclipse, is doing great!  I don't think she enjoyed the trip here but she quickly warmed up to our German Shepherd Dog, Max.  I think she prefers him over any of us!  It took a couple days before she decided she could trust us. She loves the kids.  She is GREAT with our 3 year old son (who has claimed her as his dog!)  She is great with other dogs and all people.  We've taken her to the pet store twice when there were pet adoptions going on and it didn't phase her at all.  She greeted all the dogs with a wagging tail and had no problem with all the people paying attention to her! She's really funny because she's pretty reserved when she meets someone new.  It's like they have to earn her trust and respect, but dogs are her friend immediately.  She is the most laid back puppy we have ever seen!  She has her times where she gets crazy and wants to run, but most of the time she lays around on her bed with Max and chews on her toys.  Potty training was pretty easy.  She has had some issues with diarrhea, but after testing her for everything possible, I really think it's because she was over eating.  I have changed her eating to 3 smaller meals instead of all she can eat twice a day and she is much better.  She is a really good eater.  She weighted 21 lbs at 10 weeks!    

She learned several "tricks" the first week like sit, shake, gentle (when taking a treat out of our hand) and leave it.  She is doing great on a leash and she loves her daily walk!  She is sleeping in a crate at night and doing o.k. with it.  Once we can trust her not to chew she'll be able to sleep on her bed with Max.  I don't think it'll be that much longer.  So far she doesn't shed at all.  The kids don't have any allergy problems with her, either.  Her coat is so beautiful and we can't wait to see what she ends up looking like.  There are silvery hairs coming in through the black and it's really neat looking!  I'll send updated pictures when she's older.  Overall, we are highly impressed with this dog.  She is turning out to be everything we expected from the breed!  I have a feeling you'll be hearing from us again.  Our Max is 10 and I dread the day we lose him.  I'm not sure how Luna will do without him because she is so attached to him.  We'll need to get her another playmate for her pretty quickly when that day comes.  

Nashobe - Sire~Mazato

How are you doing?  Oh my gosh...I'm so sorry this much time has past without a follow up from me to you.  My baby is so beautiful...inside and out.  I finally got a digital camera so I could send you pictures.  Now I just have to figure out how to send them.  Give me a few days to work with this and then watch out.

I feel like I could write a book about my Nashobe (son of Lunar Eclipse and Mazato).  He has such a personality and has brought me so much joy.  I laugh so much, it truly makes my sides hurt.  I must admit I did forget what it was like to have a puppy around.  It took him a couple nights to adapt to his surroundings.  The ear plugs came out after the first night and as fast as they came out they were put away.  

We're doing great with the potty training.  Yes we have accidents but after all...he just turned 3 months old on the 28th of Feb.  I enrolled him in obedience class and so far we have learned sit, down, leave, stay and come.  He learns fast and listens well.  Some days I think he just decides to be a puppy and says to heck with the training.  Then he does everything he's not suppose to do.  I take it all in stride and just shake my head. 

The best part is when I come home from work and the way he greets me is like ......oh....it just melts my heart!!   

Karen...how do I say thank you to you for such a wonderful companion.  I do hope all is well with you and I think of you often.   My other dog just turned 15 and seems to have so much more energy since Nashobe has joined our family.  When the time is right, I definitely will be coming back to you.  I continue to view your website and love all the new pictures. 

You take care and again I'll be sending you some pictures soon.