Random Shiba Links

Posted by Janie on the Shiba Dogster boards, here's a crazy and cute video.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy shiba (wait, I mean) akita.

Dogs Playing Outside

Here's a video of Loki and Jujube playing outside.  Jujube is the one going crazy in the beginning.  Loki is the one going crazy at the end.  There's no sound because the video is taken from inside the warm confines of our home.

Some new adventures ahead

Three years ago, Yun and I were newlyweds. We spent half a year in marital bliss, but soon I was antsy for something more. Our family of two didn’t feel complete; yet, it was too early for us to think about having a baby. Caught between the desire for a richer family and not being ready for a baby, we got a puppy. This is how Loki came into our lives.

Loki was our practice child, and he taught us many things. He taught us what it meant to care of someone else. He taught us how to divide the responsibilities of caring for a helpless creature. And he taught us what it was like to disagree about parenting philosophies.

10 random facts about us that might surprise you

1. We have never purchased a dog bed. Really. Never.  I cut Yun’s old college comforter into 4 quarters and sewed up the sides. Two of the pieces go into each of the crates. The other two pieces are scattered around our home to be used as dog beds.
2. We don’t celebrate our dogs’ birthdays. We acknowledge that it is their birthday (see here, here, and here), but other than that, we don’t celebrate it.
3. Each dog has one martingale collar/leash set and one additional collar that stays on at all times. And we have one extra leash, which we bought when we first got Loki as a puppy. (This extra leash has proven to be very useful as a temporary replacement for all the times that Jujube has chewed up her leash.)  Other than that, we don’t have any more collars or leashes.
4. We’ve never made our own doggie biscuits or treats.
5. We’ve never taken either of our dogs to the dog groomer.
6. We haven’t bought a dog toy in over a year.
7. We don’t spell out words, like W-A-L-K. Instead, the dogs have learned to understand the word “Sorry.”
8. The dogs’ medical records are more organized and complete than ours.
9. We have a one way doggie door.  (Actually, it’s just a regular door. Jujube figured out how to push it open to let herself back inside the house, and Loki followed suit.)
10. The dogs are welcome to accompany us when we’re in the bathroom.

Seasons Greetings!

From our family to yours --

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season!

So sweet

One of the best things that I love about Juju is that she accompanies me around the house when I'm suffering from insomnia in the middle of the night.  The neighborhood is quiet.  The house is quiet.  My husband's asleep in bed.  Loki is asleep in the crate. 

And Jujube gets up out of bed to be my companion.  If I go get something to eat or drink, she's with me in the kitchen.  If I go to my laptop, she's resting in the nearest corner.  If I go read a book, she's right there with me once again.

I suppose that many dogs display this sort of clingy behavior, but shibas tend to be more independent.  Loki certainly doesn't bother to follow us around like a shadow.  Normally, both Yun and I like their independent nature.  But then, there are times like these, when I've haven't been able to fall asleep for over an hour, and Jujube's close companionship is very much appreciated.

Jujube, the Overseer

Jujube oversees the driveway snow shoveling effort and makes sure that it is up to her high standards.