"Corky" has interesting stories to tell about his past, present, and probably his future. After he left our home as a baby, he went to owners that were unexpectedly transferred to another country and could not take him with them. At that time his name was Akkritok. In their rush to depart, they gave him to friends, and advised them to contact me to get permission to own him. The new owners nicknamed him "Houdini" as he would clear the six foot fence of his kennel and run eagerly to the front door to be let into the house. Then one day, the woman who owned him was hit by a drunk driver and crushed both of her ankles. She could no longer walk and feared for his safety , so she called me to take him back. He is the only Alaskan Klee Kai that we have had to secure the top of his kennel. He escaped repeatedly, and could have easily run off to investigate the country side, but he would always come to the house to be let in. "Houdini's" front feet turn out badly, so we had him neutered, and were delighted to place him with HARVEY AND MARILYN HOLZWORTH where he has had excellent care and lots of love. They call him "Corky" and take him to flea markets all the time. Following is a note from the Holzworths along with a letter that Corky wrote to me ("Mom Mom") while on a trip from St Francis, Kansas (where they live) to Arizona and California and who knows where else.

Marilyn writes:

We love him so much, and we are sure he returns it! We are on our way to California to see our daughter again, We have heard from two people about a family here that has some Alaskan Klee Kai. One man was in a parking lot with his dog, and I started talking to him, then of course I had to tell him Corky was a Klee Kai, and he said we must be from Valle del Oro, he had heard about Corky too--from heavens knows where! He mentioned the other family too. Thanks for raising Corky, we are so happy with him.

Love, Harvey and Marilyn Holzwarth

Dear Mom Mom,

Hi from sunny Mesa, I'm resting from my run, you should see my Dad and me run, he rides a bicycle, and I run with him. He tells people we are training for the Iditorod, but I don't think I could keep up with those big dogs. Every time we go out people compliment him on my good looks, and do you know, I am getting so I appreciate having people pet me, if
they don't just jump at me. Mom walks with me, and sometimes I appreciate those slow walks too. I know most people who see me think they would like a great dog like me, and Mom and Dad marvel that they got such a great companion.

I don't get to go to the flea markets with them, the first and only time I did get to go, I thought someone was going to take me, but Mom came just in time. I am a good boy when I stay in the trailer alone, well, there was one time I upset the trash, but the only thing that spilled were wet coffee grounds, and Mom let them dry and got them up without any trouble.

I get a dog treat when they go, and almost every time I keep it until they get back home   - except when I know I haven't been good, then I gobble it up before they get here. I found out that if I get up on the bed I can see out a window, so that is my favorite spot when they are gone.

I'm having a ball doing nothing except soaking up sun and loves. We three are quite a family, I think I'll keep them, I just about have them trained the way I want them, except for baths, Dad says he thinks I like them, but why does he think I hide from him when he starts the water? I do shine when I am done, and I like to show off for the great Alaskan Klee Kai breed! We'll stop in sometime to say hi. Tell the rest of my family Hi for me.

Love ya, Corky AKA (Houdini, Akkritok)

Say hello to Harvey and Marilyn at hmholz@doitnow.com