Jan got the electric outlets working in the kitchen island, so he was able to make progress on tiling the backsplash.


The day after Christmas we ran some errands. I boxed up some books and we took those and some other household items to Goodwill. Stoker and Ecko took turns helping by climbing in my boxes.
Christmas Day was sunny and bright, but also cold and windy. All the dogs got to go for a walk, which also burned off some calories for the humans. Jan went with me on my last walk so we got some photos of Chili and Stoker.

Monday Road Trip

Ecko and her brother Cooper went on a drive with Julie and I to Aumsville (about an hour) to go for their OFA x-rays. Brother Reef met us there with Dick and Ginny. Ecko and Reef got both hips and elbows x-rayed, while Julie opted for just hips for Cooper since PWDs are relatively low risk for elbow dysplasia. The vet gave all three pups a "thumbs up" on their x-rays. They have been submitted to OFA and now we wait for the official opinion....Couldn't resist getting a quick photo of Ecko (above) andCooper (below) with my iphone. I ran them through some filters and "posterized" them.

Cooper's Win Photo

Julie, Darlene and I got together for a walk in the woods with the dogs today, and Julie brought along Cooper's win photo from a couple of weekends ago. We're still so tickled that he got his first points so quickly! He was QUITE done with stacking by the time they tried to get the photo, so he got to sit instead. Thanks to Shelby for the super handling job.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Ecko, Mako, Cooper, Subi, Chloe and Reef (in birth order so as not to show bias!)
Happy Birthday to you!

The Deadliest Catch litter turned two on 12/13/09. It is hard to believe they are two years old already. Hugs to the pups and a big “thank you” to their people for loving them and making them part of your family.

Subi is visiting with us for a few days and we got some photos of her and Ecko on Saturday. The two sisters are enjoying playing together and we keep doing double-takes because Subi looks so much like her Granny Chili (especially that face!).

Photos are of Ecko reclining on the back of the couch (Subi is better behaved and does not go on the furniture), Subi lying in the back yard, and Subi playing keep-away with a stick as Ecko follows behind.

Cooper Jumps for Joy

Cooper is a winner!

Cooper, Ecko and Reef were entered in a dog show this weekend.

Cooper showed on Saturday only (Julie had to work on Sunday) and took Winners Dog for his first two points! It was his first time in the ring with my friend Jennifer's daughter Shelby, who is an accomplished Junior handler. Cooper was pretty worried about the situation, but Shelby stayed calm and upbeat with him and they pulled off the win.

Ecko and Reef didn't fare as well on Saturday but basked in Cooper's reflected glory. On Sunday, Reef won his Open dog class and took Reserve Winners dog and Ecko won a competitive Bred-by class. No points for these two, but a nice consistent showing for the weekend from the three pups.

The puppy that took Winners Bitch on Sunday looks like she could be Ecko's sister doesn't she? Not related at all! This pretty pup is owned by Mara Hertzberg.

Reef & Ecko, relieved to be done with all the grooming for a while...