March & April 2008   Kiki and Koby
Kiki (at left), a 9-year-old Husky rescue, came to live with Tomoko and Dave right after they bought their first house in 2001. Kiki’s separation anxiety was a huge problem until Tomoko mastered the art of canine massage. Kiki responded to this so well that Tomoko launched PAWsitive Touch Canine Massage so she could teach these techniques to other dog owners who were committed to deepening their bond with their dog.

Both Kiki and Koby came from Pet Harbor Siberian Husky Rescue. Although they were adopted several years apart (Koby is 4), they have grown very close. Kiki’s calm and mature personality is a perfect fit with Koby’s excitable enthusiasm. Their favorite activities are playing loudly together, quietly snuggling, or just being snow-loving Huskies.

Kiki and Koby both work day jobs. They are the official taste testers at Tomoko’s Organic Doggy Kitchen, headquartered in Falls Church. They actively participate in the development of new biscuit flavors and make sure the kitchen floor stays spotless (Tomoko reports, “If we drop dough or pieces of biscuits by mistake, they take care of it!”).

Kiki, Koby, Tomoko and Dave love to go for walks in Old Town Alexandria, where the two Huskies are often the center of attention. They also enjoy hiking and going swimming in streams,—or at Maryland’s Canine Fitness Center or the Northern Virginia Animal Swim Center in Middleburg.

Kiki has come a long way from those rough early days. In the past 7 years, she has attended many dog training classes, including canine freestyle and agilities. Kiki has even passed her therapy dog test, which allows Tomoko and Kiki to visit retirement homes and local schools where together they teach children how to safely greet doggies.

More images of Kiki and Koby appear in Gallery 4.

Click here to read about a previous Dog of the Month winner.