Kiko Update from Naga

Images of Kiko’s pups have arrived! All seven of them look very much like Kazuko and Koji did when they were that young. Jeff says they were whelped last 11 April 2008 (second image here). The image below must have been taken when they were about six weeks old.


Photos courtesy of Jeff

We may have to schedule a stud for Kazuko to have similar litter during the Christmas season.


Congratulations Jeff for a wonderful litter!

Kazuko at Thirteen

Time passes and Kazuko certainly grows to be larger than mom Kirin. Kazu is thirteen months old.

At this time (2008.05.12), Kirin started to shed a bit more than Kazuko does. Jimmu seems past that particular point, and Kazu does not shed as much. All consistent with the order in which they started shedding their coat.

Kazu’s tail curls at 3/2. Jimmu is behind. This photograph was taken on 2008.05.12.

They will be having their Heartgard Plus treat today (2008.05.18), about forty days since they last had it. It is good to maximize the effective duration of the preventive treatment. It saves a bit in cost. We do intervals of thirty to forty-five days as well. That depends mainly on our projected activities and their possible exposure to mosquitoes.

Kazuko still considers Pet Tabs and Kawu as treats and scrambles for them at times when they are administered to her parents, Kirin and Jimmu.


Kawu packaging changed twice last year.













The more symmetric container for Pet Tabs became available late in 2007.




At NBC’s Today program (Friday, 2008.05.16) was a feature that considered the amount of vaccines that pets are subjected to. It made clear that there is no tremendous agreement among veterinarians regarding the amount and frequency of vaccines that pets/dogs get. There was a contention that they actually help weaken the natural immune system of pets. Puppies, they say, benefit the most from vaccines, most of them needing the boost since their immune system is still underdeveloped. Of interest was their take on the application of booster shots (anti-rabies, canine distemper++). They reported that many veterinarians are of the opinion that a yearly booster is unnecessary and advocate having them every three years.

Kazu, along with her parents, are about to have their yearly booster shots. I guess I could ask our vets on their take on the matter.

Koji’s First Birthday Party! Kiko’s a Mom!

It was a Friday evening (2008.04.04) in Taguig when Koji celebrated his first birthday party. There were a good number of guests. Representatives from Teng’s officemates, relatives, and friends were in attendance.

Koji greeted us with enthusiasm – mouthing and moving limbs and body about with tail movement keeping his balance.

Soon after, other guests were taking photographs with Koji. They got more assurances that Koji really is a very friendly dog. It must be Koji’s silence that gives the scare. You know, when people who are neighbor to a serial killer get interviewed . . . “He just kept to himself . . . Didn’t bother anyone.”


We got a shirt for his birthday at Tin’s Pet Place in Antipolo, just off the border of Cainta and Marikina. He did get to wear it soon after most of the guests were done with dinner. The shirt had the marking “Lifeguard”, which is usually appropriate for most pet dogs. We were lucky to find just the right size for him.

The celebration for Kazuko’s birthday was a lot more peaceful. She did get to have all the treats on her special day: lactose‐free milk, biscuits, Cesar’s beef, ground beef with rice among others. Kirin and Jimmu were certainly not to be denied of the goodies of the day. The best treat for them was the company of everyone in their pack. The only break we had in company was lunch, dinner, and retirement for the day.

Kazu’s birthday just so happened to be the day when they were scheduled to take Heartgard Plus as well. They considered that a treat. Kazu would attempt to take her parent’s ration by scrambling to intercept it just after it leaves my hand. I would usually have to bring additional stuff to offer Kazu to avoid her getting supplements meant for her parents.

As we did with Kauzko, we tried to give as much time to Koji as was possible during the visit. He was happy; so were we.

A few weeks after, I got a text message from Jeff that Kiko gave birth to seven puppies! The weather in Naga must be nice.


Koji caught playing with a toy bone.

Kazu at Eleven Months

Kazu gets to move about with mom Kirin. I was handling Jimmu at this time taking the image with a mobile phone camera.

It was a Tuesday afternoon (2008.03.03), just back from a hospital visit. Myself, not feeling that well either. It has been a while since their last trip out of the house.

Light and relatively heavy rains have been a common occurrence at that period of time, tempting frogs to come out of hiding. Their presence disturbs Kirin, who in turn worries me as she attempts to give them a chase.

Since the past few weeks have been on the drier side, it has been possible to get Kazu out of the house more often. It somehow seems to have made her a bit more tolerant of strangers who pass by. She acquired the bad habit of barking too often at strangers much like other dogs do. Jimmu already outgrew that habit.

A few weeks after this photo was taken, Kazuko shocked us when she bit the cyclone wire fence and shook it after I took Jimmu out of the house. We witnessed this spectacle since we leave the garage gate open when we take them out for a walk. I rushed back to her and quickly attached a leash to the harness that I fitted her with earlier. I took her out for a walk together with Jimmu.

Worried that they might pull hard enough to make me stumble, I proceeded to walk them slowly, cautiously. I can still remember all too clearly how Kirin and Jimmu dragged me across our street last year, chasing after a cat or dog. I don’t remember that part. Anyway, I stopped taking the guys out for a walk simultaneously since.

Kazuko has been taken out for a walk first before Kirin or Jimmu. At least with the first batch that we can handle since her fence-tugging demonstration. I was not sure if that was impatience, just wanting to be with the pack, or envy.

Koji Returns for a Visit

Teng tells us that Koji, at eight months old, is seventy-five pounds (75 lbs.). Their visit last 28 December 2007 (Tita’s 89th birthday) was a welcome surprise for us. I estimated him to be slightly heavier than Kazuko at that time (Kazu was 65 lbs. then). Around seventy, but not ten pounds heavier!

Koji greeted us with great enthusiasm - tail wagging, taking our hands to his mouth, jumping to reach our faces, and leaning. He did not show any discomfort from the long trip he just had (They came from Taguig.).

Unlike everyone else, Jimmu was not pleased with Koji’s presence. He barked and growled at Koji for a long while, pausing only to catch a breath.

Kirin and Kazuko seemed to have indicated a willingness to play, wagging their tails even if they growled at times (Probably just to appease Jimmu.). I put Kazu on a leash and took her out of the garage that was separated from the main entrance are by a cyclone wire fence. She was initially there with Jimmu and Kirin as a precaution. Not everyone is exactly thrilled with the sight of large approaching dogs. It is time for a game if you love them, an assault if you don’t.

Koji immediately approached Kazu and started playing. Some time after pawing and mouthing, Koji started to hump. Whether it was an assertion of dominance or just plain instinct, Kazu was not pleased and started growling. Koji did not seem to mind and still kept quiet.

The visit clearly showed that Koji’s temperament is very close to Kirin’s. Koji did not release a bark during the entire visit that lasted hours.






Koji with “yaya”.