| Kobo Gryphon's Moon Over Sea G&H |
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| April 13th, 2004 Pit-Stop in LA ... en route from Seattle to Japan |
Well, from there we corresponded fairly frequently. We talked about her malamutes, my malamutes, and malamutes in general. We got to know each other. We didn't discuss her getting a puppy from me, as that was still a long time in the future! and who knows what could happen. But we developed a friendship and discussed many issues important to breeding, working and owning malamutes. I talked with her about other kennels she might look at. Well, a few years go by, and it's time to start thinking about Luna's breeding! as she had grown up; passed her clearances; "Mr. Right" had been selected; and I was finally ready to plan my foundation (first!) breeding. Yasuko still really liked Luna and Flasher and their line, so expressed interest in a boy pup. We pored over the pedigrees, and decided that a Titan x Luna pup just might provide her with the various things she was looking for. But sending a pup across the ocean ... wow. That's a huge leap of faith. Yasuko helped bridge that gap when she flew over the spring before the breeding to stay with me for a while, meet Luna and her family (down at Quinault kennels) and make sure they had the temperament she wanted. Now that's impressive :-) and also enabled us to spend a lot of time talking. |
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| Kobo's Pedigree |
| Kobo's story is a long one of the fates coming together to join two young breeders from across the Pacific Ocean, and form a growing friendship. Sounds corny :-) but it really is a rather extraordinary thing. Which is suitable - as Kobo is a rather extraordinary puppy. |
| THANK YOU for sharing these stories and pictures. |
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| More pictures .... June 4, 2004 (just about 7 mos old ... & an owie on his foot! <grin>) |
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| Kobo is safe at his new home in Japan!!! |
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| May 18, 2004 6-1/2 mos |
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| April 11, 2004 Kobo (at right, facing camera) with Hooch & momma Luna ... just before going home with Yasuko |
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| Yasuko and I met via the Mal-L internet chat list for pet malamute owners, where we occassionally chatted about various and assorted "malamute stuff". She then posted a query to the list for any PNW show folks, as she was coming to visit her host family and hoped to catch a dog show while she was here. I offered to meet her, and we arranged to meet at the Longview-Kelso shows. Yasuko had been carrying around a picture of a dog she saw on the internet that she thought epitomized her idea of an "ideal malamute". As it turns out ... she was carrying around a picture of Flasher, Luna's dad! (the picture at right). So when we met at the show, and I told her that the 8 month old puppy that she was meeting was Flasher's daughter, it seemed fate had worked to bring us together. Talk about coincidence! |
| Kobo with "grandpa" (my dad) at 4 weeks |
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So ... to make a long story short, we both decided to do it (not forgetting it was a huge leap of faith for her as well! to trust me as a breeder to select and raise her pup, which was a tremendous honor). We waited and hoped ... and if anyone was more anxious and excited than I during the breeding, awaiting news of pups and of the puppies after whelp, it was Yasuko! Well, four boys! so we figured there was a good chance that one was hers ... and so there was. Kobo. I raised him for 5 mos, and he was a treasured part of the family. On Easter weekend (2004), Yasuko flew out again, and stayed with us for the weekend before taking Kobo home. It was wonderful - and so terribly sad. But I was happy for Kobo - if I wasn't so completely sure about his new home, he would have never left, as he was a favorite :-) But Yasuko was an extraordinary "doggie mom", and he was going to a wonderful home. I couldn't be selfish ... I had to let him go. |
| April 11, 2004 Kobo with "Pappa" Easter Sunday, day before flying "home" (Kobo was his favorite ... poor pappa, he had as hard of a time letting him go as I did :-)) |
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| (Above - Yasuko with one of her girls n a "gig race" in fall, 2003 - next year Kobo will be running too!) Kobo is now in Japan with Yasuko and her three girls (lucky boy!), Hana and her two daughters Yuu and Sara. He will be first and foremost a cherished member of the family! He will also be an enthusastic addition to her sled team (having showed great working promise as a wee one). Should he fulfill his promise, he will show to a Japanese Ch., and fly back for some time with me to show towards his American Ch. - and just to visit!!! |
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| To see Kobo's page at G&H Racing Mals (his new Japanese home) - click here! and scroll to the bottom. Yasuko has done a wondeful job chronicling her life with her dogs. She is just now working on Kobo's pages, so be sure to check back often. |
| In Quarantine! Kobo had 2 weeks of quarantine before getting to go truly home. Luckily - he didn't seem to mind a bit! and as the staff loved him (meaning, they gave him lots of attention!), and his new mom was able to visit daily, the time flew by for him. |
| May 25, 2004 6+ mos old (he still likes his toy from home!) |
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| Still got that grin ... |
| Kobo is co-owned with his new mom |
| More pictures .... June 12, 2004 ... a "casual" show stack <grin> showing off his handsome self :-) |
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| Flasher |