On July 3, 2017, Lukas and I met the newest member of our family!  Courageous Kaiden entered into the Armbrust Clan!  His name was initially “Morgan.”  I went back and forth with his name being Kaiden or Kairo.  Kaiden meant companion… Kairo meant victorious.  I ended going with Kaiden as he truly was a companion…

His eyes were sky blue…  and he seemed very sweet.  Lukas and Kaiden hit it off right away.  On his way home… he did get sick in the car.  When he spoke to the animal communicator (Jen Ortman) – he told her that he got sick.  He did!

I have entered on previous pages information from the web site regarding his mom and dad.  Both parents are relatively small… weighing 27 lbs and 35 lbs.  Kaiden was born on May 5, 2017 and came to me at 8 weeks.  Lukas and I picked him up in Princeton, Illinois after a dog trial in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He was born in Arkansas but Angela brought him up to Illinois to get him a little closer.  I was able to meet his mother and father… with his mother snapping at me when I went to pick him up (initially she was comfortable with me… and then I reached down to pick him up/which I shouldn’t have).

Camped overnight on July 3, 3017 outside of Indianapolis, Indiana.  Wanted to have Kaiden meet Jake and Misty in the morning oppose to having him come and then be concerned for the evening.  Lots of fireworks that night…  both Lukas and Kaiden slept through them all!!  So no issue with noise – at this time!!

Got home… and first met Jake.  Since it was just me, I put everyone in the house.  Then had Kaiden outside the fence and let Jake out…  Jake smelled him through the fence and then after some time – I brought him inside the fence.  No issue!!  Did the same with Misty… and of course, there was not an issue with her.  Then I brought Jake and Misty out together… and then Lukas.  All good!!!

Lukas and Kaiden are together quite a bit.  Lukas sometimes gets frustrated with his biting of the legs… but overall – Lukas is wonderful with him.  Jake isn’t very interested… and sometimes goes after him.  Some is legit… some are not.  Kaiden never goes after Jake like Micah did.  He seems to respects Jake but just wants to play.

Kaiden is pretty smart and catches on pretty quick.

Let me share with you what has happened since Kaiden has come into our family…  As of  today, April, 2018 he is taking two classes.  One class on Sunday at Dogwood Agility – a foundations class; and now an intermediate class at ARF.  He is very quick… fast.  I am having to learn how to run all over again as he is completely different than Lukas.

Kaiden LOVES to run… run the tunnels, run the A-Frame, just loves to run!  My instructor at Dogwood said something to me that clicked.   She said – at this point in his life – I need to be his brain because right now as he runs – his brain is exploding with excitement when he runs.  I read this as I need to center him… guide him…  help him make the right decisions as we are running.  I knew this before – but must have forgotten it.  I will do this… I will help him until we become a true team – in a few years.

Now that Kaiden is older – 11 months today – he is bigger and loves to rough house with Jake – and now – Jake with him.  They wrestle a lot…  Lukas tries to intervene some.  He told the animal communicator that he is concerned that Jake might break Kaiden.  I told Lukas not to worry…  Kaiden moves faster than Jake and when it gets extremely physical – Kaiden will take off running and tries to run circles around Jake as if to say… “Catch me if you can.”  It is very fun to watch…  He is full of life!.

Kaiden is going to be fun to run… different than Lukas and just as fun!!

Courageous Kaiden at six month

Folks say to me – “Get use to not Q-ing as often as you do with Lukas.”  I think they forget how Lukas and I were in the early days… the days before becoming a “team.”  I think Kaiden and I will get there faster because I know more…

I have recently weighed him… he’s now 38 pounds (larger than both his mother and father) and measures still at 16″ (as of last week).  I know he has six more months before he officially gets measured… hoping he can stay at 16″.

He goes to every trial that Lukas goes to…  the agility folks have helped tremendously with his socialization.  I am blessed for my friends in agility!  They helped Micah… and have helped Kaiden!  Kaiden still has his moments… mostly when he has been in the crate too long.  I need to do a better job of getting him out and walking him when at trials.  Initially he was able to ride in a car without any problem. Then he went through a period of time where he would get car sick.  He’s over that now…  another milestone passed!

I am looking forward to see the path we end up on…  he’s healthy; he’s fun; he’s smart – leaning things fast and has spunk!  Hope I can do right by him!