Things I learned from having Loki

1. Patience. I thought I was a patient person. Then I got Loki. Training him out of some of his aggressive behaviors was one of the most trying tasks I've ever done.
   
2. A little dirt is okay. Prior to getting Loki, I would have described myself as an uptight person. (I bet some of my family & friends would say that I still am.) I'd worry about keeping our home clean and feel guilty for not keeping it cleaner. I worried about spills, accidents, dirt, and crumbs. But now I've become so much more desensitized to a little dirt, accidents, and a lot of dog hair. Living in a sterile environment isn't all that healthy. Accepting a little dirt in your home does wonders to your mental health and might even make your immune system just a little bit stronger.
3. Being assertive. With a shiba, you don't have a choice. If you are not assertive, your entire life will be taken over by a dog.
   
4. Living in the moment. When Loki is super cute, I better rush over to enjoy his cuteness; such moments do not last long.
5. Walks are just as beneficial for humans as they are for dogs.
   
6. Confident around all dogs, except for the large drooling ones. Drool is scary.
7. That despite being a liberal minded woman, traditional gender roles dominate.
8. It's easy to talk to strangers when you're talking about your dog. I have a tendency to be a bit shy and reserved. It's not easy for me to talk to random strangers. But when talking about your dog, it becomes really easy.
   
9. Some people really, really, really don't like dogs & can be very mean about it.
   
10. Not to wear anything black.

This list was inspired by Nakita on Dogster.