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Before
Kaponomana...
Laura's
first buddy was a "poi" dog (as they are called in Hawaii, aka
mutt) named Skippy. He belonged to her grandparent's neighbors in
Lahaina, Maui. Whenever Laura was there visiting, you could guarantee
that Skippy was a permanent residence at grandma's. He followed her all
over the neighborhood as she played with friends and made sure that she
got home okay.
In 1972, Jerry got dog of his
very own, a White German Shepherd puppy named Shep. She was his constant
companion for 4 years. They learned obedience together and she complied
with his every request.
For her
16th birthday, Laura bought Pokie, a lab - shepherd mix, at a pet
store. He was an independent character right from the start... upon
being let out of the cage, he headed the other way... not caring about
who was there to, maybe, adopted him... he was just ready to head out
the door. He lived to a happy 14 years and is now resting where he grew
up, on Laura's parent's property in Mililani, Hawaii. He lays next to
his daughter, who stayed to watch over Laura's parents... Hime also
crossed the bridge at 14 years old.
In 1979,
Laura's family purchased Kainani from a bird hunter who bred a litter of
Pointer x Labs. Together with Pokie, Kainani earned a CD equivalent
for mixed breeds. She was a very kind, soft heart.
From 1990
through 1996 Laura trained, handled and bred under the kennel name: Lamil. In addition to Belgian Shepherd - Groenandaels, she also
briefly worked with Alaskan Malamutes. After a move back to the city, a
divorce and the discovery of pannus in the line of Belgians she had been
working with... followed by a new home, a new family, a new line... Laura,
together with her family decided to begin a new... Thus came the
formation of Ka pono mana... in the spirit of excellence.
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