Kona-Cam

Kona Kai…our Chocolate Lab

Well, you've seen photos of her, you've seen and heard about her here on this blog, you've seen her on YouTube, and she's even been offered a TV show by a Producer on Animal Planet. You've seen her run, jump, swim, speak and use her 'inside voice' for Scooby Snacks, and even lounge around on the couch and do nothing at all.

You've heard about her, we've talked about her, and some of you know her in person, or should I say, in "dog." Yup, she's our puppy, my trusty First Officer, Kona Kai Waikoloa.

Hey, wait! What the heck is that around her neck, you ask? Well, that is a high definition, underwater video camera. Yup, my GoPro Hero 3, Black Edition that I use for SCUBA diving and lately for Hummingbirds and now Chocolate Labs.

We went to the cabin this past weekend and I decided to attach it to Kona and see if she'd accept it while she runs about the beautiful redwoods surrounding Donner Lake and the cabin. I knew we would go on a hike or two and even though there is still a little snow remaining, Kona would be bummed if we left without going swimming in the frigid lake before she left. And by swimming I mean her, not me!

Well, she did. So, Kona-Cam was born!

Here is a link to the YouTube video and Kona's new addition.

Kona-Cam

Did she enjoy it? I don't really know, but she sure didn't really mind having it on at all. I tested it both on the ground and in that water and it worked well. I was mainly worried about battery life and the collar slipping off and losing the camera; neither of the two were a problem. 

Unfortunately, we didn't come across any animals either, like a rabbit (her favorite to chase) so that was a bummer. It was probably better in the long run as this was just a testing run anyway. The only real problem I came across was the camera swinging side to side a lot and getting stuck to one side when she swims. I'll have to work on that. I really think she'd be cool with wearing a small helmet with the camera attached, but I'm afraid at what the other dogs would say.

Mahalo for Testing Kona-Cam with Captain Bobby Mitchel

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The Workout

So, as I mentioned on my Aloha welcome page on this blog, I would post activities and fun from my First Officer, Kona Kai Waikoloa (Our Chocolate Lab). Well, as many of you know, Kona Kai luvs the water; she luvs to swim and jump, and most of all, she luvs her tennis ball.

Here she is at Donner Lake diving out for one of her balls.

So, this past weekend Kona Kai anxiously awaited each day with the treat of swimming and jumping in the pool. She has totally free access to the pool, but will not go in at all unless she is given her special command. A secret to everyone, Kona won't even venture into the pool if you throw her ball in or if you're swimming in the pool with her ball. But once she hears her command, she off and running…and jumping.

Here's a video piece on You Tube that I put together with her jumping this past weekend. Titled, The Workout, it depicts Kona's training and workout, while supervised by her training coach, Sharkey. Just click on the link below and enjoy.

The Workout

Yes, she luvs her ball, doesn't she? Here's a couple of other shots of our keen eyed shortstop.

A funny thing though is that she's not a bird or cat chaser, but is very addicted to chasing lizards, I guess, because they're more challenging.

Mahalo for jumping with Captain Bobby Mitchel



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Happy Birthday To My First Officer

Just a quick note to say Happy Birthday to my First Officer, Kona Kai Waikoloa.  We picked her up when she was just 10 weeks old and she is now 5 years old (35 in 'people' years).  How could we resist this face?

Like many of us, she's been through a lot in just five years. From losing her 'bestest buddy' Shilo in 2007, when Kona was just 9 months old, to undergoing surgery on her left knee and having titanium implants installed from a cruciate ligament tear. 

Shilo taught Kona everything from chasing chipmunks to fetching sticks

And what did she get for her birthday? Yup, a trip to her favorite place, Donner Lake. Enjoying the weekend at the cabin chasing chipmunks and swimming in the cold, cold water.

"Someday I'm gonna own this lake!"

"...And that day is now"

And, oh yeah, she was hit by a car 6 days ago, but thankfully, she's fine now with just a wound on her front paw.

Yes, you've come a long way, my little poser puppy.

 Anyway,...Happy Birthday Kona Kai!

"Weeee...Happy Birthday to meeee"

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel

Paradise On The Lake

Mahalo for traveling with Captain Bobby Mitchel

First Officer Takes Flight

Aloha and Happy Monday,

Many of you may be familiar with my great photo of Kona Kai leaping off the dock near the cabin at Donner Lake. For those of you who are not, here it is...

Yes, our little First Officer loves the water! She'll jump at any chance to take a leap into any temperature of water to fetch a stick, toy, ball, etc. But now she is all about the tennis ball and nothing else. Always wearing one of her many scarves, she's trained so that when the scarf comes off, it's either bath time or water time! Oh, or a new scarf.

Singing/howling/praying to the tennis ball God, I think

In fact, if her scarf falls off, she has been known to pick it up and bring it to you to have it put back on. It's a little tough for her, you know, with the whole lack of an opposable thumb deal and all.

One other item to note; even though she's around water, she will not go in unless her one word command is given, often just whispered into her ear. We'll keep that word a little secret for now too. ;) It's very cool, though, because you can be swimming in the pool, and even playing with her tennis ball, and she won't come in. Talk about restraint, huh, especially for a Lab? Everyone told us when we put in the pool, we'd never be able to keep a Lab out of it. But after the first day of training, Kona got it and will quietly hang outside the pool until she hears her magic word.

So, yesterday it topped 100 degrees up here in Catta Verdera. It was indeed a pool day and Kona seemed to know it. Off came the scarf and on came 'THAT' look! Oh, we know 'THAT' look too.

"Ah, is it pool time yet, guys?"

With the keen eye, agility, and determination that matches any good shortstop, Kona Kai was given her command and her afternoon of leaping began. Yes, with a keen eye and quick reactions to rival Jeter himself, Kona was 'all about' her ball.

Just look at that concentration! Wow! And coordination to boot as she goes all out to catch her ball mid-flight, time after time, with few breaks. After undergoing cruciate ligament surgery as a puppy in December 2009, her left knee titanium implants really don't seem to hold her back, other than a slight lag that can only be captured in pictures.

Yes, Kona Kai puts in 100%, not for millions of dollars, but for just self-satisfaction, the praise of "Good girl" from her audience, and, of course, the occasional Scooby Snack at break time [Adult Swim]. Just look at her form.

Form? Did I say form? Yup, even Jeter botches one now and then. As for Kona, she shakes it off (literally) and swims over to fetch her ball and sets up for another one.

Speedbrakes required!

What grace, huh? :) OOPS! A little misjudged on that one, but she definitely gave it an all-out effort and wanted it badly. I think the judges deducted a few points for form, but you have to give her credit for focus and determination. The tongue says it all.

So, how long does this go on, you may ask? Jeez...For---EVERRRRRR....

Tiring her out can be a challenge. It's usually only at the command of "All Pau" does she finally hang up the cleats, so to speak, and take a breather. But when she's pau, she's back to her spot and will definitely sleep well in the evening.

Game, set, and match!

Mahalo for flying with Captain Bobby Mitchel

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First Officer Kona Kai Waikoloa

First Officer, Kona Kai Waikoloa

Here's Kona Kai, doing one of the many things she loves...diving into the water. Born on 2 December 2006. She's a lover of water and runs non-stop, despite cruciate ligament surgery on her left knee as a puppy, that left her with titanium implants.

She's one smart puppy and aspires to be a Comfort Puppy and be on Animal Planet. She was discovered via some of her YouTube video shenanigans by a Producer, but is waiting for her big break.

Woof!