DA PUPS: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years

DA PUPS: Wintertime

The snow has finally arrived. We try to take Keala and Ikaika for walks in the park when we can. Here are are at Indian Hollow Park, Lorain County, Ohio.


Getting the gentle leader ready


Walking the trail

It was time for me to clean my garden and prep it for the cold and snow. Here Keala is patrolling while Ikaika's trying to figure out how to get in.


Keala in the garden and Ikaika in the backyard


Ah the first snowfall!


Ikaika's first winter, front yard

On a side note, we discovered Ikaika has hip dysplasia -- a very common degenerative joint disease especially seen in large breed dogs like St. Bernards. Ikaika's hips are smaller than the rest of his body so he relies on his front legs more than his back legs -- hence he doesn't jump over, on or around like Keala. Aaron wants to consider hip surgery; I'm hoping Ikaika will grow out of it. We'll see in a few months...

DA PUPS: Keeping in shape

It's late fall and the sun is still out. Like plants, our puppies are still growing...


Ikaika, 5 months, in the front yard tied to his own cable


Ikaika and Keala hanging out in the backyard


Playing with their cousin Gabriella in the backyard

Ikaika has begun his training to do tricks like his big sister.


"Shake!"


"Bang! Drop dead!"


"Are you a good dog?" [Bark]


"High 5!"... yeah, Ikaika!


Learning from his sister how to stand guard at the front door


"Help! I don't like this contraption on my face!"

At our last vet visit, Dr. Cobb suggested we buy gentle leaders for our dogs. It's based on the same principle as horses -- if the dog tries to jump or pull, the leader under one's chin will turn the head and the dog becomes confused because one is not moving forward. Gentle leaders are a true blessing! Now we can walk both dogs without our arms being pulled out of their sockets or falling on our butts when they see a squirrel up the tree or a dog across the street or a UPS truck driving by. In fact, since Keala can't get to where she wants to go, she doesn't even attempt to pull or jump. And Ikaika used the leader from the time we got him. They are casual walkers now!

DA PUPS: Growing up big

Our baby Ikaika is growing up fast!


Ikaika, 4 months, playing with kis Kong ball


Taking a snooze in their chairs -- like sister, like baby


Checking out his sister standing guard in the backyard


Keala and Ikaika on the back porch



Going for a walk, University Heights, Elyria, Ohio


My babies

GIRLIE UPDATE: Smallville Season 4

I got the complete fourth season of Smallville today. Lois Lane is introduced to the series but Lana and Clark are still trying to come together. Just do it already! Jason Teague aka Mr. Ackles is introduced as Lana's BF. He's hot! My favorite episode is #18 Spirit. Now that the gang is graduating from high school, what's next?

Introducing... Ikaika

Aaron and I thought perhaps Keala had too much energy to burn, being in the house all by herself with no one to play with. She chewed the furniture legs, ran down the hallway and pushed the coach against the wall, and tore up her chew toys. What a bunch of energy for us lazy humans! So we thought a second dog would help the situation...

We happen to be at the mall and the pet store had a handful of St. Bernard's on display. After much effort trying to connect with two larger male puppies, we ended up bringing home the runt of the litter, Ikaika. He patiently watched Aaron from the kennel window while Aaron chased after his brothers. When we brought Ikaika out of the kennel, he laid down and offered his tummy to Aaron... it was love at first sight!


Ikaika, 3 months, in the front yard


Meeting Keala the day we brought Ikaika home


Checking out the already eaten slippers


"Umm, I think I'll stay right here between your legs Mom! She looks a bit intimidating!"


Ikaika, 3 months and Keala, 1 1/2-years, dancing on the back porch


"Help, where am I?"


Our babies hanging out in the front yard

Unlike Keala who was fearless and active, Ikaika takes after his mommy (that's me) and is a bit sickly. He had the kennel cough and wheezed, and scratched constantly. He was too young to have a bath but I didn't care -- we needed to clean him up! With some antibiotics and good lamb meal food, Ikaika was all better!

Concert alert...

We went to see Billy Idol at the Tower City Amphitheater, Cleveland, Ohio. He was awesome!

Concert alert...

Aaron went to see Melt Banana with his TSA buddy Aaron B.

Chicago 2005

Aaron, Keala and I drove to Chicago for a short vacation and to visit Steve Rash. We stayed at the W. Keala was a big hit!

More to come!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Introducing... Mr. Welling

It happened during winter term when I was working the early shifts. One evening at home I was flipping through the channels and discovered a T.V. show called Smallville. No, it wasn't the fine looking Clark Kent that made me stop channel surfing -- it was the exotic look of Lana Lang, aka Ms. Kruek. I kept thinking she's so beautiful! I wonder if she's part Asian like me?

The show on screen happened to be the first episode of the series and I was hooked. I watched a couple more episodes since there was a Smallville marathon going on. I eventually fell in love with the Clana love relationship and have been a devoted fan since.

It helped that one of Aaron's airport co-workers is a die hard Superman fan -- he let me borrow his Smallville DVD collection. I was so obsessed I couldn't stop watching the DVDs! I would come home and watch 4 episodes back-to-back. I would stay up until 5 a.m., hurting the next morning due to lack of sleep. But I couldn't stop! I had to know what was going to happen in the next episode. And I wanted Clark and Lana to get together!

I eventually caught up with the series and have videotaped each Thursday episode so I can watch it when I get home from work. Now I own the first 3 seasons of the series!

It was fate that I would eventually find Mr. W. a very hot man! He now graces my computer's screensaver...