{January 15, 2011}

This is Kya--also known as: my shadow, my sweet little puppy dog, my "Pito Lito Lemon Squeeto" (don't ask), my "Wooker Bear." Kya came to us after we lost our first Chinook, Toli, due to an incompetent vet who botched his neuter. At that point we were grieving considerably, but fate was on our side and the family that was originally supposed to take Kya was turned down. Her breeder, Anne, (who coincidentally had Toli's brother and whom I met when I flew to get Toli) was convinced that Kya was meant to be with us. After Toli's breeder, Amanda, flew with Kya all the way from Chicago to Portland...she was ours. In the beginning we called Kya "Alligator" since she liked to chomp the air--and us. I thought for sure she'd never stop biting, but once we got Lexi (whom I will feature soon) that all changed. As time went on Kya grew more and more attached to me, and I to her. I've never been around a dog who loves to cuddle and who will stay in one place while you hug her...for hours if you'd like. She is goofy as can be and despite being 5 1/2 still retains her puppy playfulness. One of her favorite things to do is play "bone toss" which consists of her literally tossing her bone in to the air, letting it fall, jumping at/around it, and repeating. It's quite fun to watch...until she gets close to our TV...then it only serves to make Ryan incredibly nervous. Kya is more shy around people she doesn't know and will always look to me whenever she meets someone new. Once she gets to know you, however, you have a friend for life and she will greet you with all the fervor in the world. She LOVES the snow and would be happy to stay outside playing in it forever. As soon as the first flakes start to fall, Kya starts whining to be let out. When we finally give in she races around the yard at top speed, ears laid back, grin on her face, and then bounces in the air, triumphant with joy. Kya is also a huge fan of car rides and makes a great co-pilot. All I have to do is say, "Do you want to go with me?" and she knows exactly what I'm talking about. She'll bounce up and down, her sign that says "Yes, I definitely want to go!", then patiently waits for me to get my purse. To say she has healed our hearts would be a huge understatement. While the conditions in which she was brought to us was filled with sadness and despair, I am so glad she became a part of our family. Kya is, quite simply, my little lovebug.

I snapped this photo tonight as Megan and I were headed out to run some errands. She was looking at Megan and I could almost hear her saying, "How come I can't go?"

On to the pic...{click to view full size}