Highland Sanctuary Akitas

Kiko Update from Naga

2008-05-29T11:07:00.007+08:00

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

2008-05-21T08:01:00.008+08:00

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!

2008-05-06T06:55:00.007+08:00

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

2008-04-23T11:49:00.005+08:00

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

2008-04-22T10:15:00.010+08:00

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”.

Kazu!

2007-08-13T18:14:00.001+08:00

Kazu on soil
(at least dry this time)
in the garden

With her siblings already off to far away lands, Kazuko finds herself playing more often with her parents (and her human pets!). She is now just under four and a half months old.

An initial encounter with Kazuko will result in her spending at least 45 minutes just playing (mouthing, pawing, licking, etc.) with the human pet. Only after a physically intense play (running and moving her toys around to chase) will she somehow sit and probably lie down for a while. It does happen that she gets bored with her human toys and just leaves. For the most part though, Kazu has been more interactive with us.

Kazu just outside our bedroom

We were informed of a possible difficulty with the availability of their dry dog food (Pet One), and our friendly retailer recommended "Beef Pro" (It is the particular name of the puppy food. I somehow don't recall very well the actual brand. It contains the word "Breeder" though). She explains that it is made by an American company and that she is able to obtain them in large quantities. She adds that the protein content is higher than most brands. She in fact pointed out that it is higher than 26% (the content in Eukanuba's Large Breed for puppies - our default dry food before moving mainly to Pet One because of that pet food scare.). We decided to try out a bag, and initially mix small portions first (the usual procedure for the introduction of new food).

The first few days with "Beef Pro" seemed to go well. They all finish up their dry dog food rather quickly. . . Or it may be just because Kazu is growing up fast. . . In any case, we believe that the new dry dog food is something that they like too.

Using mom as pillow

Koji in Taguig!

2007-08-10T12:13:00.002+08:00

From Highland Sanctuary Akitas

Tonight it will be exactly a week that Koji has been out of our home. He was adopted by a close friend of Jiji, and taken to their home in Taguig after the small dinner party last Friday night, 3 August 2007. As it was in the case of Kiko, we sent him off with his toys to ease the (initial) separation anxiety. We were happy to hear that Koji adjusted quickly to his new home. We are certain that he will be well taken cared of by his new guardians.

There were occasions when Kazu would be moving about, seemingly looking for her playmate/sibling. She moves up and down the stairs, finding only her parents. This was the case for a few days, and I guess may intermittently happen in a few more. In the last few days, with or without rain, she has been playing with her mom Kirin who has been very frisky lately. It seems that Kirin is aware that Kazu misses playing with Koji.

The heavy downpour does not serve much of a deterrent for Kazu to run about the garden. . . She still steps on and plays about wet soil before greeting us with her front paws.

She still recognizes the lyrical poem that Jiji sang to her when she was about to have some visible teeth: "Kazu! Kazu! The baby with the yellow tooth, Kazu!". We gather then that her tooth was just about to surface beneath her gums that gave it a shade of yellow. Singing that song reminds us of the time when all the puppies were still at home with us.

Near Month Four for Kazu and Koji

2007-07-30T13:00:00.000+08:00

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Kirin has recovered much, if not all, of her thick undercoat. We see her run and play with her pups more often now.

Watched Kazu whine for an extended period while Jimmu ate his evening meal treat last week. Jimmu freezes himself while the whimpering goes on, and then, probably finding it unbearable, leaves his bowl. Kazu takes over and cleans it up. This is independent of the amount of food on her own bowl!

Jiji told me about this practice of Kazu a week or so ago but it was only recently that I witnessed it. I always thought it was just a prelude to a game of chase. We occasionally restrain Kazu to give Jimmu some time to eat.

Koji follows Kirin

Weighed Kazuko and Koji last night and they are 40-45 lbs. Koji seemed to weigh a bit heavier, though Kazu is slightly wider. We find it difficult to remember that Kirin weighed the same when we acquired her at almost nine months. The siblings will be four months old at the start of August.

At Three Months and Three Weeks

2007-07-24T07:59:00.000+08:00

The regular bath day for the past few weeks has been a Saturday. This past weekend Kazu and Koji are both 35-40 lbs. They still harass their father Jimmu at treat time in the evening. At times they simply do the same while Jimmu is being groomed and give chase!

Splash! . . . Kazuko caught pawing her drinking pail.

Koji wondering what's inside that box that I keep on sticking onto my face. . .

The level of intensity of their play remains high. We slowly start to take them out of the house more often (with a collar of course). This will help in getting them used to having a collar when they're out. They still chew on the leash a bit but adjust to walking without pulling on them for the most part of the abbreviated time that they are out (just under 30 minutes. . . Kirin and Jimmu are out for about 45 minutes to an hour or so).

The Weekend: Introducing Rice. . . Eye Irritation

2007-07-17T07:10:00.001+08:00

Since last Saturday (14 July) we started mixing rice with their meat treat instead of dog food. About two cups of rice to one of meat. They still free-feed on dry dog food.

At three and a half months Kazuko is 30-35 lbs, and Koji is somewhere 32-37 lbs when weighed last Sunday. They have practically the same weight. Kirin was only 40 lbs at 8.5 months.

Had a scare with Koji last night when, after walking Kirin and Jimmu, I saw him pawing his closed eyes. The area surrounding both eyes were inflamed.

Kazu tried to play with him, but Koji was not responding. He kept on pawing both eyelids. In what appeared to be a show of sympathy, Kazu licked him for a while and then left him alone.

Jiji and I decided to give Koji a bath (they just did last Sunday) to clear with a lot of water whatever it was that irritated his eyes. Continuously having water flow around Koji's eyes for over ten minutes proved to relieve him a bit. Opening his eyes slightly now, but with eyelids still inflamed.

Jiji communicated the condition to Vet Jemimah and she recommended a dose of mefenamic acid. We still did a few more minutes of water until Koji started to resist it. Shortly after that, Jiji returned with a "chorizo". She explained that she embedded the (500 mg) tablet in it. Koji readily ate the treat. By the time they were to take their rice and meat treat (about an hour later), Koji was already playing with Kazu.

We wondered about what caused Koji's irritation. Jiji ruled out any of the plants, having been around them for a while they would have shown an adverse reaction earlier. She suggested that it may have been a caterpillar. The macopa tree has some she explained. Whatever it was, we are just glad Koji recovered fast from it.

Adjusting to Minus One

2007-07-09T15:35:00.001+08:00

After an initial scare on the condition of Kiko in Naga from text messages being exchanged between me and our vet and with Kiko's new guardian/owner, we got news that she started eating better and is playing a day after she arrived.

There were so many contributions to Kiko's stress: the final 6-in-1 vaccine together with the rabies shot (Sunday, 1 July), change of guardian/owner (Wednesday, 4 July), travel by air to Naga (Thursday, 5 July), and change of food! Apparently "Pet One" is not readily available in Naga City. Or at least Jeff (the new guardian/owner of Kiko) is not aware of where it may be obtained within the City. Jeff says that Kiko took to the beef adobo well enough to fully adjust by the following day.

We shifted almost exclusively to Pet One for dry dog food after the dog food scare on many brands, including our staple Eukanuba. The only Eukanuba we give the pups and our other dogs is the "Healthy Extras" treat.

The parents Kirin and Jimmu also showed preference for Pet One, I guess mainly because it is easier to munch (it has smaller grains). In a large number of instances they would pick the Pet One granules in a mixture with Eukanuba (Large Breed. . . They are not crazy about the Lamb and Rice formula). The main addition to their diet is the mixture of chicken liver (adobo without garlic and onions) or ground beef with their dry food in the evening. The main supplement is a daily dose of Pet Tabs and a few milliliters of virgin coconut oil. The regular treat is Pedigree's milky bone flavored biscuits.

In the first few days of Kiko's absence, the siblings seem to display a sense of confusion. The parents didn't seem to have changed any behavioral patterns. Play between Kazu and Koji lacked the intensity it had when Kiko was around. We wondered if it was just the rainy weather or my absence (having contracted colds I did not risk playing with them, fearing that I may add to their stress) that conditioned the lower intensity of their play.

Let the games resume!

When the weekend came, I was better and started giving them a bit more time.

After their bath on Sunday, they resumed their intense play for quite a while - lasting just under two hours.

That evening, we walked all of them out of the house. The pups are not yet used to having a collar on and were moving about in all directions initially. Kirin and Jimmu were happy to be out after an intermittent schedule due to the rains.

Before their evening meal, Kirin and Jimmu took their heartworm prevention tablet for the month. Vet Jemimah advised to begin the same for Kazu and Koji when they are at least four months old. She adds that it is good to start before the pups are 5 to 6 months old.

As before, cooling after play.

A scene that we have to start getting accustomed to - Kazu as the only puppy (in a while).

Maybe the Last Group Photo of KKK

2007-07-04T10:56:00.001+08:00

This is the most recent group photo of Koji, Kiko, and Kazuko.

Tonight is the scheduled trip for Kiko.

We are all starting to miss her already. She proved to be the easiest to call. A simple clapping , even without calling her name, results to her running, eager to greet the human.

Vet Jemimah administered their fourth 6-in-1, and their rabies shot for the year last Sunday, 1 July 2007, when they turned three months old. It is recommended not to impose much stress on the pups every time they get a shot. That includes bathing. Though we were informed that if that is not exactly stressful (if they actually enjoy or like it), then they may do so without having to worry about any possible negative consequence directly related to the vaccination.

All for now. . . We'll need tissue here. . .

Kiko sets for Naga?!

2007-06-30T21:46:00.001+08:00

Kiko has been reserved, and we were informed that she will be flying to Naga on Thursday, 5 July 2007. She may find the weather there to her liking. We believe that we found the appropriate person to take care of her.

This night's food treat of ground beef with their regular dog food will be the start of the last few times that they will be eating, then playing together in a while. She is scheduled to start the move this coming Wednesday evening, just before her Bicol trip. We do wish to get updates on her. Probably even get to visit on the way to more distant parts of the Bicol region.

For now, they continue to enjoy the extra virgin coconut oil treatment, usually coming after or at the start of grooming at the table to make them behave.

In any event, the pups are scheduled to have their final "six-in-one" vaccine tomorrow along with their rabies shot for the year. They will be three months old tomorrow.

Rough!

2007-06-26T07:11:00.000+08:00

Beyond two and a half months the KKK play mode seems to increase in "violence". It is very tempting to stop them but that may run against their nature, having no clear idea as to how they would react in the long term with continued "correction" by separation, we just leave them alone.

The main consideration for trying to stop them is the amount of bruising or wounds that they accumulate after their extended play. There are wounds. . . It is play. You would know if it isn't. At the very least, someone will have a limp after the skirmish if it were.

Kazu giving Kiko a friendly smile.

Interestingly, all of them are silent when they do this play that easily lasts more than thirty minutes. Even the most vocal of them, Kiko, is silent throughout the biting, shoving, jumping, twisting, turning, and running. In between, you see that posturing, similar to a cat's, as if to attack a prey.

This sort of play was started very early. Almost as soon as they started walking. It is just that as time passes, the intensity of their usual activity increases. It is almost like mastering the maneuvers that they do.

At this point they are all heavier than Jimmu was when he was their age now. Jimmu was only about 20 lbs. at their age. That is how much Kiko weighs. Kazuko is about 26 lbs. and Koji is about 30 lbs. Considering that Jimmu now is somewhere 70-85 lbs. or so, it seems that they will be larger/heavier. Kiko's body type is very close to Jimmu's. In fact, they look almost exactly the same (at the same age) save for the color. Kazuko's and Koji's body are wider. It may be necessary to give them extra calcium (Kawu).

When the wounds get too numerous, there is a greater risk of having infections. The rain doesn't help either. The regular twice a day antibiotic of 1.5 ml facilitates the healing. It does act fast. Of course they love the bubble gum flavored variety. They actually think it's a treat! This treatment along with a wound cream (Sergeant's wound cream for dogs) does the job very well. Of course they still continue to rough each other, but I guess that is the point of having the simultaneous ingested and topical treatment - to allow them to continue their play.

We tried separating Kiko (just because she is the lightest) for a few hours at a time but notice that upon returning to them the intensity of the play seems to increase further. They probably miss each other. Again, the resulting bruises, of course, increases. With this experience, I think it better to let them be and do isolation only if the puppy shows a sign of weakness. It is good that all of them are full of vitality, making isolation unnecessary.

. . . And They're Up!

2007-06-19T08:03:00.001+08:00

Both ears of Kazu and Kiko are already upright at just under 2.5 months of age. Kiko had her left ear up early in her seventh week, while Kazu had hers at week ten. Only Koji had a right ear up first.

The pups now drink soy milk. They seem to like it a lot. The brand, if I remember right, is "My Soy Milk". Good that it seems easier to obtain than regular lactose free milk, and currently cost a bit less too.

They consider Pet Tabs and virgin coconut oil as a daily treat. It is rather unfortunate that the local supply of puppy and dog biscuits from popular makers (Pedigree, Eukanuba, Science Diet, etc.) seem to run short rather quickly.

Here Kazu seems to be inviting her sibling to play.

As a result of puppy growth. . .

The red flowers surrounding the magnolia are all gone. . .

A bit of cooling after all those plant extraction activities. . .

A short rest period before more dirt. . .

Kazu seen here with her favorite toy (squeaky porcupine).

First Weeks

2007-06-04T08:08:00.000+08:00

The pups had their eyes wide open on the 12th day. Their crawls became increasingly frequent, and the distance they cover gradually increased. This healthy exercise resulted in some gashing of their hind toes. They had to be treated with a daily dose of washing and extra virgin coconut oil. Initially there was some resistance. Later, they were able to realilze that the oil was edible. They quickly took to taking an extra dose (about a tablespoon) of extra virgin coconut oil as part of their daily diet. We found it to be more effective in treating skin irritations and inflammations than regular topical medicines. That is in addition to an antibiotic (cefalexin is better than the other kind) suspension (which had to be orange of bubble gum flavored - they hate cherry and the like flavors), which they took twice a day with a dose of 1.5 mL at each instance.

13 May 2007: Koji (Kazuko at back), training with collar. Starting to get used to having a leash when taking a walk.

At this time, all the pups are able to climb up and down the stairs by the garden.

They are able to hold a run for about three steps. More like posturing everytime they get to play with each other. It will only take another few days for them to have a fast controlled run.

13 May 2007: Kiko, able to munch something. . Either a treat or a magnolia petal.

13 May 2007: Kazu, demonstrating how they all drink from their parent's pail of water.

They have taken to dipping their front paws into water in pails, as if catching fish!

2 June 2007: Kazu by their whelping box.

At around the times this picture was taken, they are all pretty much as capable as their parents are when it comes to running and chewing things. They snatch the adult treats "Healthy Extras" (by Eukanuba - which we have been wrongly informed by local distributors as having been discontinued. . . Thanks to a friend who just happened to pass by New York City. Thanks Cristine!) from them; running to a convenient location where they may not be easily apprehended.

2 June 2007: Treats!

2 June 2007: . . . Appreciation!

3 June 2007: Kazu after the morning dose of vitamins.

At this time ( 10 June 2007), the pups had their third six-in-one shot (with corona virus). They will have their last for the year, in addition to anti-rabies, on 1 July 2007. That assures us that, at least for the year, the new caretaker(s) of Kiko and/or Koji will have less to worry about.

First Batch of Akitas

2007-05-25T19:08:00.000+08:00

Easter puppies

Dam: AINA VON RHODZ ("Kirin")
born: 07 March 2004
Grandpup of PHIL GR/AM CH BVAS RI-ZING STORM (USA)

Sire: KOKO OF EGO RANCHO ("Jimmu")
born: 16 March 2005
Grandpup of ROYAL RANCH DON FERDINAND

Kiko: She is the first born of the litter; whelped 10 PM, 1 April 2007 - April fool's and Easter Sunday!

This photograph was taken on 21 April 2007.

Kazuko: whelped 10:30 PM, 1 April 2007.

This photograph was taken on 21 April 2007.

Koji: The youngest of the litter; whelped 2:30 AM, 2 April 2007.

Left photo taken on 21 April 2007.

Koji on 1 May 2007, after a taste of his first deworming syrup.

At this time (2 June 2007) the pups have been dewormed and vaccinated twice by Jemimah Capispisan, DVM, of the San Mateo Veterinary Clinic. She is also responsible for the regular maintenance vaccines of "Kirin" and "Jimmu".

We are now accepting reservations for two of these puppies (one male: Koji, and one female: Kiko).

Thank you for visiting!