Hello! It's been some tince since you've heard from us, and a lot of exciting things have happened at our home during that time. Atka and I are doing fine, and have managed to survive another hot summer in Arizona. (which is soooooooo difficult when you sleep all day in front of a fan on the tile floor --Brian) Atka's gotten a little chubby, she weighed 126 pounds when we went in for our checkups 3 weeks ago. The vet wasn't concerned at all though, she's not really flabby, but very stocky, and still growing! Our human mom is a little concerned though, she thinks Atka's getting fat. I'm trying to help her out by eating part of her food when it's dinner time, but Atka's a sneaky little girl, she'll get me distracted and playing games with her, then run back in the house and steal the rest of my food while I'm relaxing in the yard! It all ends up a wash. I was 115 pounds at the checkup. My people forgot to measure our height though, I'll remind them to do it next time we go in.

My people got a new little person too. My human mom and dad went away for a couple of days and when they came home they had a little human puppy with them. It's been very exciting since he came home. There are new smells, new things to steal, and a brand new person to love and protect. Atka and I take shifts, though at first I had to remind her that I was supposed to get a turn too and out people had to bonk us a couple of times. We got it all sorted out though. He sleeps a lot, so he fits right in with us, but boy when he's awake he sure makes a lot of noise! I think it's because they put him in that wierd kennel at night and he can't relax on the nice tile like Atka and I get to do. Oh well, I remember the nights I used to spend in my kennel too, he'll probably get to sleep with us once he gets past his "eating everything in the house during the night" phase.

(Our newest "puppy", Liam, was born 9/30/07. Mom and Liam are doing well, though having a baby in the house again is proving to be a big adjustment for us all. We wouldn't trade it for the world though. --Brian)

Atka and I have been out walking and annoying the neighborhood cats and rabbits. We haven't managed to catch any of either flavor yet, but I think it's our responsibility as dogs to keep them in top form by chasing them any chance we get. And who knows, some day we might actually catch one, and wouldn't that be fun! Well, *I* might catch one, Atka's not so good on the sharp cornering skills, she needs some practice to keep up with then when they zig-zag. I think I'll ask my human dad to take a movie of it and send it to you. It's pretty funny to watch.

I guess that's about it. My people dad is sending a couple of pictures of us with the new puppy, and one of us having a blast with a box one afternoon.

Hope all's well and please say hi to everyone for me!

Love, Loki   April 17, 2007

Some updated pictures of the puppies. I got them up and on the scale at the house the other day and they both weigh 114 pounds. Loki's taller, but Atka's wider :) Little miss thing's been in the dog house recently with mom, she keeps stealing laundry from the laundry hamper and then taking it out back and getting Loki to play tug'o'war with whatever she's filched. We've been keeping the doors to the laundry room shut, but all it takes is one mistake and she's off to the races.

We took them up to play in the snow in January. Loki dove right in and had a ball, but Atka wasn't so sure what to make of it. It took her about an hour to make up her mind that it was ok, then she was off. She's not as big on water and snow as Loki is. He takes every opportunity he can to get wet, she's more proned to play in the mud left over, but only after the water's gone.

They've taken to lounging on an old table we have set up out back

That's about it for us. Hope all is well at the kennel. :)

Brian   April 17, 2007

Atka went for a checkup yesterday. 97.5 pounds on the vet scale and still growing. I figured she'd top out around there, but now I'm not so sure since she's only 8 mos and still has a lot of growing left to do. She's stil the favorite dog in the practice, all the vets and vet techs always seem to wader in to the examining room when she's there to say hi. SHe's such a gentle and easygoig dog, they all just love her to death.

All in all, I think they've adjusted well to each other. At first we had to keep Loki pretty tightly controlled so he wouldn't hurt her accidentally, but now they start trouble with each other more or less equally. Atka's more nimble than Loki is, so her favorite tactic is to get him to chase her, and then cut out from in front of things and watch him run into them because he can't slow down. you can tell she's just sitting there laughing her tail off every time too. We had a folding table set up out in the yard for a bit, and she used to sit up on top of it and watch our tortoises in their play pool. Then when Loki'd come by, she'd crouch down and leap off the table on top of him. Loki, in turn, will splash water on her (she HATES getting wet unless it's HER decision to get wet) or push her into things, or sneak up on her and lay down and roll over her when he wants her to play. They're pretty funny to watch.

Brian   October 21, 2006

Hi! The big dog at my new house called Loki says I should write to my mommy (Ruby). Could you let her know that I made it safe and sound, and that I miss her lots. I'm finally here in the place called Arizona. The trip was long with lots of strange smells and sounds. My new mom was so excited to see me she was driving the guys in the cargo hanger nuts. At first there was lots of new peoples and dogs. The big dog Loki (you know, the one who said I should write) was afraid of me. But I think I was more afraid of him. Every time I jumped he'd jump too. He's pretty nice though. A little over protective... okay a lot! He told me my name is Atka. I think I'll have to think on that one. (She is taking a little more time to respond to her name --mom). We played for awhile that night until I fell asleep on the floor.

The next morning was alot of fun. Loki was waiting for me to come out and play. He sat right by my crate all night. Every time I howled so did he. We are thinking about starting a choir hehehe. I went to see Dr. Cromer and everyone there said I was the cutest puppy in the pratice. Even his wife Dr. Clack who is also a vet with her own practice took a picture with me. She said if she couldn't take me home that a picture was the next best thing. Loki got a chew stick and was not in any mood to share so I left him alone. Besides everyone kept coming out to tell me how beautiful I am.

The rest of the day was spent playing with Loki. I've come to the conclusion he's a BIG pain! I can't even get up and walk into the next room without him walking all over me. Ahhh! My new mom has to put me back in that box when I want to sleep because Loki just keeps bugging me. I've learned that I talk alot more than Loki. He hardly makes a sound, it must be a girl thing. I now know when I bark (yep she barks actually quite a bit --mom) and growl at him he is the one who gets in trouble. I hope my new humans don't catch on (sorry been there done that --mom). I still haven't really met my humans. I see them all over. They like to watch loki and I play. The problem has been Loki kind of takes up all of my time. Last night was a good night my new human dad took loki for a walk and I got to spend some time with what they call the boys. They are a lot of fun. They like to let me run. The big one plays tug of war with me and the little one lets me crawl all over him.

Wed. was a grow day for me, all I wanted to do was sleep, but of course Loki wouldn't let me. Mom gave me a new crate, a really big one. I let her know that any crate was not going to work. I was born to be free, Or I'll cry and cry and cry. (which of course gets loki crying and you know the story --mom). So when my big boy had to go to symphony pratice my humans took me along and didn't bring Loki. There was a huge green field for me to run around in with the litte boy that was left but all I wanted to do was sleep. I crawled up onto my new dads lap and found a comfortable spot to lay down. I slept the whole time we were there (for 2 hrs --mom.) It was great! Dad petted me and loved me the whole time. I really haven't spent any time with him he told me he was last in line (the order according to Brian is Loki, Kaleb, Zach, mom, and then dad. and so far the only person to really get to know her has been loki. You can't tell we are all a little jelous --mom).

Today was intresting. I got to meet Dustmop. loki calls her the dog that live upstairs. She's really grumpy. Loki is a great big brother though he would destract the end with the teeth so I could get close enough to smell her. He tells me as long as I keep away from her I'll be okay. He says she's not really big on playing anyways. She doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun. But maybe she'll lighten up with another girl around. Well I think it's time for a nap. I'm vary sleepy again today. Tell everyone there I miss them.

love, Atka   March 31, 2006/i>

Thank you so much for the puppies! As you know Loki is and has been the love of my life, and he has graciously made room for his sister Atka. They are so different from one another, but yet very similar. They are blessed with the sweetest personalities. They're both so gentle and loving! Last week at Atka's 8 week check up she weighed in at 26lbs. Loki is 106lbs. at 10 months. They go every where with us. We have given your name to quite a few people, and will continue to do so. Again Thank You!

I love to watch him run. It's like a big o'bear with no breaks! Atka is much more graceful. It could be Loki doesn't let her run very far with out him... Atka is also a little bit braver than Loki. She will bark and growl if she thinks someone or something is not where they belong. Loki always stands behind her giving her the "hey stupid what are you barking at look." But we always know when something is really wrong because they both come barreling in the house looking for Brian or I to hide behind.

Atka was trying to get him to play this morning (they always rough house in the a.m.) but he just was not up to it. By the time Atka decided to give up on loki she had brought every toy in the house to him. He was covered in toys! He he he he.

Atka's ears are starting to come up. She's so cute with one ear up and one ear down. She hates water though, which makes my job hard since she is the one always in need of a bath. Do you have any helpful grooming tips for us? She is still not completely potty trained. It's been rough with her. I think it's been a bit more challenging working with her because Loki always has to be in her business. She has not piddled in her crate for 3 days now... knock on wood. It's a start right? She's seems a little confused about Loki not being so playful. It's usually Loki trying to wake her up. But it has given her more time to spend with us. It's been kind of nice. She's been following me around all morning. Which she never has done before. She is usually out back playing. She is such a sweet heart. I am attaching some pics. of both dogs. I hope you enjoy.

Thank you again,
Christy-Ann   May 01, 2006