2012 Shiba Inu Calendar to help Shiba Rescue GTA

Hey Shiba pals!! Shiba Rescue GTA is now taking orders until Nov. 3, 2011 for their awesome 2012 calendar featuring the adorable Shibas from the Toronto Shiba Inu Meetup group! Cost is $20US/CAN. Shiba Rescue GTA is the ONLY known Shiba rescue in Canada. They help Shibas all across Canada, and also from the U.S., so please purchase a calendar (or more) and help support your breed! Go to SHIBA RESCUE GTA and contact them to find out how to order. Thanks!

A Sharing Shiba Inu

I admit, I don't like to share much of anything. Afterall, the Shiba Inu's favorite word is "MINE". I don't share my toys, I don't share my food. I don't share my owners. I don't share my bed. I don't share my space. Especally not with the cats, ewww! They are all MINE MINE MINE.

What? Mom? Did you say something? What's that? I DO share??? Mom!! I'm trying to keep my reputation here. Huh? A photo? A what?? When did you take that?? Man, I am so busted..sigh..

Shiba Inu Enjoys the Cool Weather

Ahhhh, fall is in the air...cooler weather, roohoo!!! I've had a miserable summer. Way too much humidity for my liking. I blew my coat the entire summer, stopped for about 2 weeks, and now I am starting again. Mom is thrilled. She keeps threatening me with a bath to loosen up the fur and get it overwith or something. All I know is that it's cooler outside, which means longer walks for me!!!! I had a hard time all summer. I love my walks, but in that heat, I would be the first to turn around to head home. Sometimes, even after 2 minutes, it was too much for me. Mom always brought plenty of water for me and took me out during the coolest times of the day. We even looked into jackets made especially for dogs to deal with cooler weather, but for one reason or the other, Mom didn't like them or the ones she did like, wouldn't fit me, humph. She took good care of me though :)

Hey, my 7th birthday is coming up this month, so a big shout out to my one and only sibling, my brother, Storm!!! Mom already gave me my first birthday gift - a stuffed snake, I love it love it love it!! It doesn't have stuffing inside, it has large funny squeakers, and it's tail rattles to. I have fun playing with it. My 2nd birthday gift (Mom says it's my gift for the rest of my life) is a fence for my new backyard! We are moving in a few weeks, and I will have a HUUUUUGE back yard to play in, I can't wait!!



Wow, so many exciting things going on. I need to take a nap. Behave yourselves all you Shibas. Well, make your owner think that you are ;)



Sushi

Attention all Shiba Inu Lovers!

Pre-order your 2011 Toronto Shiba Inu Meetup group calendar. All proceeds go to Shiba Rescue GTA. Payment can be made via PAYPAL by using ID "shibarescuegta@yahoo.com"

You can never have too many Shiba Inu calendars, and these make wonderful presents for Christmas too!

Calendars are $20CAN each, and will be mailed mid-November! Please tell all your friends and family about the calendar, and help your favourite breed!

Thanks,
Bonnie & Sushi

Cat vs Dog

Our cat, Tatiana, and our dog, Sushi, have grown up together. They are both 7 yrs old. They got off to a rocky start, though. Tatiana was 5 months old when we brought 2 month old Sushi home. Tatiana growled, hissed and swatted at poor puppy Sushi. Sushi wouldn't come out of his crate if she was around. This lasted for about a day and a half. Finally, Sushi had had enough! He came racing out of his crate barking his head off at Tatiana, who quickly ran off. After that, they were the best of pals. Since they were the same size at that time, they would chase and wrestle all over the livingroom, it was pure fun and entertainment! As they got bigger, they still continue to play, and Sushi often mimics how Tatiana uses her paws. But, Sushi likes to be sneaky and tries to get in a few hipchecks now and then. Tatiana is almost always the instigator. I took this video the other night, as this goes on every time I am preparing their supper. You'll see our other cat, Bailey, for a few seconds at the beginning, she doesn't like to get involved!

Shibas Meet With Troy & Emmie of Hike for our Heroes

If you own a Shiba Inu and have not heard of Troy & Emmie yet, you must not be active enough in the Shiba world of yahoo groups, facebook and twitter ;) Not to worry! Now is your chance to follow them on Facebook & Twitter simply by going to their website Hike for our Heroes

Troy is a war veteran walking across the country to raise funds and awareness to military families in need. His faithful sidekick, is 3 yr old black & tan Shiba Inu, Emmie. Emmie is also a certified Therapy Dog, and during her off hours, likes to chase ducks even if it means diving into a swamp! Troy's goal is to raise $5 million.

On their website, you can follow where they have been and where they will be going to. You can also buy merchandise to support them, and see photos along the way. And, of course, make donations.

This past weekend, approximately 15 Shibas from Missouri and Kansas met Troy, his wife, and Emmie. It was a lot of fun, and the Shibas behaved themselves perfectly. Even when the KC mascot came out to taunt them!

Here is a video and some photos from this past weekend.

Hike For Heroes

Troy is an Iraq-war veteran who will be hiking 7000 miles across America beginning April 17th, to raise money for struggling veterans, and help get a national "Day of the Deployed". His Shiba Inu, Emmy, is accompanying him. Show your support by joining his Facebook Fan Page

Woof!
Sushi

Sushi wearing sushi

Ok, Mom has finally gone overboard. I know she loves me, and she loves my name, but do you think she might have just gone a bit too far? You be the judge.

Collar was made by Bark and Giggle Boutique, and the charm was made by AllForJasmine.

Bark and Giggle Boutique is owned by Pam, who is owned by 2 adorable Shibas, Ryu & Roxy. She makes dog products but also baby products! What, did you think dogs could giggle? Your owner gets to choose the pattern for the collars, how cool is that! She has many other cool items as well.

AllForJasmine is a shop run by an 11 yr old girl. Yes, she is 11 yrs old. She is extremely talented and makes her items without any molds! Also, she has a cute Boston Terrier named...yep, you guessed it...Jasmine. Jasmine has very bad allergies and this shop's sales completely goes to helping Jasmine. Please check out both shops, they are worthy of a big ROOOOHOOOO!!! I give them 4 paws up and a tail wag!

Sushi

Rest in Peace, Shassi, the Misanthropic Shiba

Shassi, August 27, 1993 - January 6, 2010 ... Sunojo's Aka Shasta C.G.C.

The Shiba world will never be the same. If you are owned by a Shiba Inu, but have never heard of The Misanthropic Shiba then shame on you. If it weren't for Shassi, the Misanthropic Shiba, we owners would have truly been lost as to TRULY understanding this breed. Sushi and I never had the honour to meet Shassi and her owner, Julie, but we corresponded a few times and they even joined our Meetup group. I will be giving Sushi a few extra hugs tonight, as I'm sure all of you will do, also, with your own Shibas. Shibas are special and unique. And, Shassi taught and reminded us all of that. The Misanthropic website is, in my opinion, THE most informative & important website to learn about the Shiba. Thank you for being you, Shassi. And, thank you for teaching Julie to teach the rest of us :) You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Bonnie & Sushi

YAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yappy New Year to all my Shiba pals!! Hope 2010 treats you well (and gives you treats, hehe). If you have snow, enjoy it while it lasts. We have about a foot of snow, and I LOVE it when Mom throws snowballs for me to chase. She loves it too, because it wears me out. I know she is hoping for an early spring though, humph!

We had a gift exchange in the Missouri Shiba Inu Meetup group. Mieko, Kika, and Dallas sent me some really cool toys and yummy treats - thanks!



I also got a really cool Christmas collar from Pam at Bark & Giggle Boutique, I love it!



And, Mom got a really nice Shiba and other Japanese dog breeds book from Jen (owned by Aki & Taylor). As you can see, Mom has put me in charge of translating it for her.



I also got more presents from my Grandmaw & Grandpaw in Missouri. My fav is the one that makes the most noise!



Tatiana & Bailey got something really cool, too - a Pirate Ship!!! Bailey likes to hide in it!



Hope everyone has a safe, happy and yappy New Year!!!

Fun Shiba Video!

Yoshi is a Shiba pal of mine from the Toronto Shiba Inu Meetup Group. I had no idea he was a secret Agent, but I shouldn't be surprized given how smart and sneaky we Shibas can be.

Secret Agent - Mission Impossible Shiba

Sushi

Finding a Vet - Choosing the Right Caregiver for Your Pet

Proper health care for your cat or dog is important. Consequently, choosing the right veterinarian is no small matter. Like other doctors, all vets are not alike and neither are animal clinics. Doing a little "legwork" before your pet needs medical attention can make a great deal of difference when the need arises.
Just to be clear, this is not about good or bad veterinarians. Vets are health care professionals and as such have invested a considerable amount of time and money to establish and maintain their practices. This requires the kind of dedication that comes from the desire to help. Simply put, vets do what they do because they love animals and have the best interests of their patients in mind. This is about finding the doctor or clinic that best suits your needs and those of your pet or pets.

Research: See who is available. So, where do you start when it's time to find a doctor for Fido or Fluffy? At the risk of stating the obvious, the first step is to find the vets or clinics in your area. Start with the 2 most popular resources: the Yellow Pages and the internet. This will give you a list of possibilities along with phone numbers and addresses. The odds are good that many listings or websites will also provide more information, such as the specialties of a particular vet, the clinic where he or she practices, etc. So, after this simple step, you should have a wealth of data at your fingertips. That was easy, wasn't it?

Networking: Get some opinions. Now it's time to see what you can find out about those vets and/or clinics. Start by asking around. Your friends and family are a great resource. If you've just moved to a new neighborhood, ask your neighbors if they can recommend someone. A possible bonus to this approach, of course, is the opportunity to meet your new neighbors and their pets. (note from Bonnie & Sushi - if you can find a reputable vet knowledgeable/familiar with the Shiba Inu, that's a bonus!)

Now, for those of you thinking, "Why not just call the closest clinic and make an appointment?", that would certainly be one approach. On the other hand, there's nothing quite like a "word of mouth" endorsement. A little networking may also bring other points to light, like pricing. Unless your pet needs to be seen right away, it's probably worth a little bit of your time to check around before picking up the phone.

Direct Contact: Check it out for yourself. Once you've gathered any information you can, you're ready to start making those calls. If one particular vet or clinic is well recommended, it makes sense to make that one first on your call list. Don't just jump right into making an appointment, however. Talk with the vet or a staff member about any special needs your pet has, the specialties of the doctor or doctors, emergency services and any other concerns you may have. Don't be embarrassed to ask about fees for checkups, shots or any other services. Your pet's health is your primary concern, but it's important to know how hard your pocketbook is going to be hit.

If things sound promising, ask when you might be able tour the facility and meet the staff. While this may sound unusual, it is actually quite common and most animal clinics will be happy to oblige. This will give you an opportunity to determine your comfort level with the caregivers and the environment.

While each pet owner will have some concerns of their own, here are a few items you way want to check:

Cleanliness Comfort for your pet: Is there a convenient area outside for your pet to relieve him/herself?

Is the waiting area large enough to keep pets separated?

Services and Equipment available on-site:

Emergency/trauma services

X-rays

Endoscopy

Ultrasound

EKG Lab work (blood, etc.)

Surgery Dental procedures

Boarding (Check for comfort and safety.)

Grooming Staff: Courteous and knowledgeable?

Parking/Loading Hours and availability: Evenings? Weekends?

After hours: Is a doctor on call for emergencies? (note from Bonnie & Sushi - quite a few clinics have no onsite staff after hours!)

If possible (and if you won't be charged for an initial visit), take your pet along for the tour. If your dog or cat is comfortable with the surroundings and staff, you're probably on the right track.

Last, but not least, remember that a little courtesy on your part will go a long way. Don't be rude or impatient; you're dealing with a medical facility and staff and their chief priority should be the health and welfare of the patients they're seeing. This also applies after you've chosen a veterinarian or animal clinic. Try to keep your appointments and arrive a few minutes early. If you need to reschedule, do so as early as possible. Handle payment and billing issues promptly. Control your pet when you're in the clinic. Keep in mind that these people are the second most important in your pet's life.

(note from Bonnie & Sushi - remember, your pet is YOUR responsibility and it trusts you to make the best decisions. Do not be afraid to ask questions during vet visits, and do not be afraid to say "no" if something just doesn't feel right. You can take some time to think about your decisions. You CAN find another vet.)

Doc Crandell has worked closely with animal care professionals since childhood. He now writes pet-related content for Remmeer.com, a retailer of quality gifts and accessories for pets and pet lovers. Visit their online store for unique items like dog costumes and clothing and cat lover's fashion accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doc_Crandell

Snack 'n Snooze Homemade Pet Products

Hi everyone,

Mom has decided to give the pet product business a shot. She says that I'M the inspiration for this (and our cats, too, humph!).

Anyways, she makes everything herself, mostly specializing in custom fleece pet beds - nice & cozy for this time of year! She also bakes dog treats - peanut butter (my fav!), cheese & chicken, and also had catnip toys and dog tug toys.

Snack 'n Snooze is on Etsy! You can contact my Mom through etsy or by her email snack_snooze@yahoo.com if you have any questions or want something custom made.

Snack 'n Snooze will also be at Dogtoberfest this year, roohoo!!!!

Sushi

Shiba Inu Children's Book

Nicholas, You are... Ridiculous! (written & illustrated by Olena Kassian)

This book just came out and can be purchased on Amazon.com:

Nicholas...You Are Ridiculous!

You can also CLICK HERE for an extra sneak peek into the book from it's official website.

Olena is a good Shiba friend of mine & Sushi's, and we have been waiting anxiously to see this book, and we were not disappointed. The illustrations, in my opinion, are one of the best I've seen when it comes to the Shiba Inu, especially puppies. I wish I could hug Nicholas!! As expected, Nicholas is a very curious & silly Shiba puppy.

Whether you have kids or not, this book is a collector's item!

Sushi & I rate this book 4 PAWS UP & A TAIL WAG!

Do We Expect Too Much from our Shibas/Dogs?

I'll be the first to admit that I have probably overdone the obedience training with Sushi. I think the last advanced class we did was when he was 3 yrs old. My intention was to have a refresher. Sushi was bored out of his mind. Why? He knew all this stuff, so why do it again? So, I promised him that would be the last one. Since then, we have done a bit of agiity, which has helped to boost his confidence, and once he got the hang of it, look out, he loved it! (Going head first into the floor off the a-frame is not always a good thing, Sushi!).

Do we expect too much of our dogs? There are so many fun things to do with dogs - agility, rally-o, or even helpful things such as therapy or other things like just taking your dog with you everywhere you go.

Not all dogs enjoy this. Gasp! Did I just say that? But these are fun things, they are good things. Aren't they? Well, not always.

I think it is healthy to try new things with our dogs, because hey, they might enjoy it. But, I think as responsible dog owners, we need to recognize when the dog really doesn't enjoy something, and decide if it needs to be worked through, or to just let things be.

Sushi will be 6 yrs old this fall. I have officially retired him from Shiba Inu Meetups. He no longer enjoys them. Why? I don't know. But, he doesn't. As much as I would love to have him there, I have had to accept this, and now that I finally have (it took time!) I enjoy spoiling all the other Shibas, and realize I don't have to be looking out for Sushi.

What does Sushi enjoy these days? Walks, he loves his walks. Loves his Green Bear and playing with it. Loves his flying fox. So basically, walks & short playtimes. And, bellyrubs are a bonus.

We may still try rally-o at some point, but if Sushi doesn't have fun, then we won't continue.

I wonder if dog owners have it in the back of their minds what they expect from their dog, and think that dogs will just automatically do it or enjoy it. There are many things I would love to be able to do with Sushi, but he just isn't "that" dog. I'm not disappointed, I love Sushi with all my heart, he is a fantastic dog.

I just hope other owners don't feel disappointed by their dogs if they don't live up to their expectations of them.

Bonnie & Sushi

10 Mistakes New Pet Owners Make

LOVE this article!

10 Mistakes New Pet Owners Make

Bonnie & Sushi

Want to Know Everything and Anything about the Shiba Inu?

I've noticed, since the now famous Shiba puppy cam, the incredible amount of inquiries about the Shiba Inu. On Yahoo!Answers, everyday, someone is asking about Shibas, what they are like, should they get one, will they get along with their current pets, etc...

So...in an effort to stop Mom from replying to all of them (she can't help herself from wanting to protect the breed), I suggested to Mom that she post the info gathered from the The Toronto Shiba Inu Meetup Group.
This group has been around for 5 years, with over 140 members, so you can imagine how much Shiba Inu information there might be. What better way to learn about the Shiba Inu than from the owners themselves!

So, get comfy, and click here for all you need to know about the Shiba Inu. Please note there is not a history on the breed, but plenty of information regarding finding a breeder, Shibas in rescue, grooming, training, behavioural issues, health issues, etc... As well, dog articles that are extremely interesting.

Sushi (who made her Mom learn more than she ever thought she would want to, haha!)

The Cats Have Taken Over My Shiba Blog!!

Humph!!! Those darned cats, Tatiana & Bailey hunted me down and locked me out of the room. For some reason they feel slighted that they do not have their own blog, so have decided to take over mine! I'll get them back. In the meantime, I guess for those silly cat lovers out there...here is their posting:

Meeeeeooowwwww!!!!! We kitties have our paws on the computer, wheeeeee!! We just wanted to give a meow-out to our Fashionista Kitty Pal, Peanut and her blog. Check out her duds, we think she is queen of the cat-walk!

The "Peanut" Gallery

And, of course, we can't forget to post a pic of our cute selves (Chatty Tatty the Torti & Wailey Bailey the back kitty).

Puuurrrrrfect!
Tatiana & Bailey

Shiba Inu in the Media - good or bad?

Did you watch the now famous Shiba Inu puppy cam? Who didn't? Have you heard about the upcoming movie "Hachiko" which is about a loyal Akita, but Shiba Inu puppies were used in the movie. The Shiba Inu is getting more and more exposure, and I have to wonder if that is a good thing or not.

Yes, I loved watching the Shiba Inu puppy cam. I have a Shiba Inu, so re-living those cutesy puppy days was a lot of fun. I know many Shiba owners felt the same.

What concerns me are the people that enjoyed watching the puppy cam and now want a Shiba Inu based on the extreme cuteness. I guess it's just like when 101 Dalmatians became a movie, and the upcoming movie "Marley & Me" will probably have the same effect - it brings interest towards a specific breed and a lot of people/kids will want one.

The Shiba Inu is not for everyone. Sushi and I are still sorting each other out and it's been 5 yrs! Shibas are very intelligent and can continue to challenge you whenever they feel like it. They can be a lot of work. Yes, the learn quickly, but they can also be very stubborn.

So, for anyone out there considering adding a Shiba Inu to their family, Sushi and I beg that you do A LOT of research and be SURE that this is the breed for you (and that you are the right family for the Shiba!).

All that being said, here are some very important links to very important websites that really tell you what life is like with a Shiba Inu.

THE MISANTHROPIC SHIBA

A SHIBA INU PROFILE

Consider adopting a Shiba, there are many looking for their forever home on PETFINDER

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE or ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS - THESE ARE MOST OFTEN PUPPY MILLS OR BROKERS!!!

If you want to get a Shiba Inu from a breeder, again, do your research first. When you are ready to visit a breeder, read the following tips on how to identify a good dog breeder below:

When Can I Bring My Puppy home?

Not before the pup is 8-10 weeks old. If the pup is removed from it's Mom before 8 weeks, the pup could possibly end up with serious behavioural or health issues.

Choosing the Right Breeder

How to Identify a Good Dog Breeder - Tips from The Humane Society of the United States

Look for a breeder who at a minimum:

-Keeps her dogs in the home and as part of the family--not outside in kennel runs.
-Has dogs who appear happy and healthy, are excited to meet new people, and don't shy away from visitors.
-Shows you where the dogs spend most of their time--an area that is clean and well maintained.
-Encourages you to spend time with the puppy's parents--at a minimum, the pup's mother--when you visit.
-Breeds only one or two types of dogs, and is knowledgeable about what is called "breed standards" (the desired characteristics of the breed in areas such as size, proportion, coat, color and temperament).
-Has a strong relationship with a local veterinarian and shows you the records of veterinary visits for the puppies. Explains the puppies' medical history and what vaccinations your new puppy will need.
-Is well versed in the potential genetic problems inherent in the breed--there are specific genteic concerns for every breed--and explains to you what those concerns are. The breeder should have had the puppy's parents tested (and should have the results from the parents' parents) to ensure they are free of those defects, and she should be able to provide you with the documentation for all testing she has done through organizations such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals(OFA).
-Gives you guidance on caring and training for your puppy and is available for your assistance after you take your puppy home.
-Provides references of other families who have purchased puppies from her.
-Feeds high quality "premium" brand food.
-Doesn't always have puppies available but rather will keep a list of interested people for the next available litter.
-Actively competes with her dogs in conformation trials (which judge how closely dogs match their "breed standard"), obedience trials (which judge how well dogs perform specific sets of tasks on command), or tracking and agility trials. Good breeders will also work with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in their specific breeds.
-Encourages multiple visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy before you take your puppy home.
-Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly. The breeder should not require that you use a specific veterinarian.

In addition to the above criteria, you'll want a breeder who requires some things of you, too. A reputable breeder doesn't just sell her puppies to the first interested buyer!

The breeder should require you to:

-Explain why you want a dog.
-Tell her who in the family will be responsible for the pup's daily care, who will attend training classes, where the dog will spend most of her time, and what "rules" have been decided upon for the puppy--for example, will the dog be allowed on furniture?
-Provide a veterinary reference if you already have pets or, if you don't have other pets, she should ask which practices you are considering for your new puppy.
-Provide proof from your landlord or condominium board (if you rent or live in a condominium complex) that you are allowed to have companion animals.
-Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively involved in showing him or her (which applies to show-quality dogs only).
-Sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog's life.

(note from Bonnie: when visiting a breeder, ask to see the parent's pedigree before making a decision; take a good look at it; parents should not be from the same litter. Also, if a breeder refuses to show you all of their dogs or where they "live", etc...walk away right then and there.)

Bonnie & Sushi

Shiba Inu "coat"

Humph!!! Mom said that since my undercoat has refused to grow in and I get cold at the park, that she had to buy me a jacket. Can you believe that? She did promise to not make me look completely ridiculous and says I look quite distinguished in it. Some pals have said the colour goes perfectly with my colouring, whatever THAT means. I guess it's ok, now that I've learned I can still pee and poop! Shiba Inus are double coated, and normally I blow my coat every Christmas, but I was early this year...still waiting for it to come back...