Post-class socializing

All the boys were together in class today. So after class all the owners decided to head down to the coffee shop for a little puppy socialization time. Who can resist four adorable shiba boys? Everyone stopped to say "hi" and to meet the boys. And we got to sip coffee while answering "what kind of dog is that?" and "how big will they get?" and "they look like a fox. Don't they?" a hundred times. The boys are exhausted and should sleep well the rest of the day. I'd be ready for a nap, too, but I drank way too much coffee this morning.

Enjoy the photos of the boys. I wish I'd had my real camera. The quality isn't very good because these are all from my phone. Maybe I'll remember it next week!

From closest puppy: George (formerly K2), Edge and Avalanche


Avanche (left), Edge (right)


George


Left to Right: Joaquin (formerly Mogul), Avalanche, Edge, George (formerly K2)




Joaquin (formerly Mogul)

The boys at 13 weeks

Not the best photos. Sorry for the "green" eye in the photos. I took them at night and there wasn't enough natural light so the flash really did it's thing. I need extra hands - two to work with the puppies, one to shake the toy to get them to look where I want, and two to work the camera.

Avalanche, now Tazer: Kishi's Set to Stun










Edge: Kishi's Catch'n Edge

Whooo Hooo Trixie!!

Trixie wins BEST IN MATCH! That's the equivalent of Best in Show except it's during a fun match. Fun matches are for clubs to practice putting on a dog show before the real show. It also gives dogs and handlers an opportunity to practice in a show setting. Since Trixie doesn't really know my friend, John, who will be showing her in February, he entered her in the fun match today so they could practice together! She not only won Best of Breed over some really stiff competition (her sister Betty, now known as Kioko), but she also won group and then BEST IN MATCH. I'm just thrilled.

By the way, I guess I forgot to post it earlier when she flew off to the southwest, but Trixie is in Arizona. She took the rainy weather with her and we've had beautiful sunshine while they've had the cold and rain. I'll fly down and meet her in March for the Fiesta Cluster. In the meantime, John is going to show her at the 4 day dog show in early February.

Here are some photos of the day...

Stiff competition: Kioko and Trixie


Kioko all tuckered out:


Trixie in the ring:




Winning Best of Match:


A big thank you to Wendy for the photos. I won't go as far as saying it's just like being there, but since I can't be there, I really appreciate getting to see the photos. Wish I could have been there to share the excitement of the day for both of my girls.

Mogul has his own blog!

Mogul, now Joaquin, has his very own blog. His new owner is just starting out with it, but WOW are there a couple of adorable photos of Joaquin on there. So check in with our "Little Man Walking Tall" every once in a while to see how quickly he grows.

Email from Betty (now known as Kioko)

Dear Brothers,
I'm sorry I missed the get together this week. I'm having a fun adventure here in Phoenix though.

I get to go to 'work' on Fridays. I like 'work'. I play with a teacup yorkie named Cudi, a Jack Russell called Oliver and a Cocker Spaniel named Wriggly. Pierre, the Chihuahua, barks at me so I bark back. It makes him mad but I just wag my tail.

Just so you don't think you're getting ahead of me, I asked Mom to take a picture of me sitting too. My one ear is fuzzy 'cause it's raining really hard and the wind is really blowing and my ear was blowing in the wind. But I still sat still. See if you can hold a stay in the wind and the rain.....

Woofs and Wags,
Kioko (aka Betty)

I have a bone.... and other things 3 month old shibas have to say.

My bone... mine.


I can sit like a big dog (and stay, too)


Mommy is my bestest friend. She plays tug with me.


All the pups, except Betty, had a reunion in my puppy class yesterday. They are all happy, well-adjusted and doing great in their new homes. Edge and Avalanche are still hanging at my house, growing up far too quickly for my taste. They are now running with the big dogs. I hate to say it, but nap time is my favorite time, because that's when the house is finally quiet!

The boys know sit, down and stand. Avalanche has picked up obedience skills amazingly fast. He surprises me at times how well he does. We're working on socialization so you may see us out and about around town.

Odie's home!

Odie ate whatever the vet was feeding him last night and kept it down, so the vet released him to go home today! Denise said he's still a pretty sick puppy and he's sleeping more than normal. She and Tomo are really happy that he's home. He has to eat bland foods for the next few days. But it looks like he's on the road to recovery.

Just thought everyone might like an update.

Odie and Pacific Rimism

Odie is still at the emergency vet. Poor Odie. After a slew of tests, they called Denise and said that they thought Odie had Addison's disease. He had elevated potassium levels.

Just recently I was reading the Two Naughty Shibas blog which led me to Shiba Inu Spirit's post about Pacific Rimism. From what I understand, shibas naturally may have higher levels of potassium (K), and elevated potassium should not be assumed to be Addison's disease. I called Denise and had her call the emergency vet to suggest they do a little research on Pacific Rimism before they treat him for Addison's.

Thanks Lindsay and Jen for opening up my eyes to this!

When will they learn?

When will dogs learn that the only thing that belongs in their stomach is food. Tama's older pups love to eat things: Piggy has eaten everything under the sun including a cell phone, razor (but thankfully didn't swallow the blade) and part of a brand new sofa. Tomo ate a pair of his owner's underwear. Kona stole a bone that got lodged in his intestines and had to have surgery. Odie ate a bottle of thyroid medication. Odie and Tomo together tried to kill a possum last month. And the most recent is Odie, again. He's at the emergency vet right now with something in his stomach that shouldn't be there. Naughty puppies!

In case you're wondering, every single owner is a very diligent, responsible, experienced shiba person. All of them have owned shibas prior to getting these pups. But the pups are running amok! What is a birth mommy to do?

My new bag...

I've had a CafePress store for years. In fact, I just updated it with some new items, so if you haven't looked at it recently, check it out.

When I do in-home dog training (aka private lessons), I carry a canvas shopping bag filled with all the items I may need. It's worked well, but never looked very professional. So when I saw this beach bag on CafePress, I couldn't help but throw a logo on it and call it mine! I LOVE IT! It will work perfectly. It's lined on the inside so that will help it stay clean. The canvas feels really durable. I can't wait until my next private lesson to try it out.

Edge is working as my Vanna here, modeling my new bag.

Bye Bye Betty!

Betty left for her new home today. We had final cuddle time together on the ferry. At the airport, we met her new mom, got her plane ticket and packed her away in her carrier. She fell asleep immediately. I really hope she stayed that way for the trip and our spirited little one didn't take over the plane. You know, she'd make a great co-pilot!

The little conversationalists...

The puppies always have something to say. But the spookiest conversation that I've held with a puppy so far is one I had with Miss Betty - in plain English. When I walked in the room, I must have woken her up, because she puffed up and barked at me. And I said to her, "Why are you barking at me, little girl?" And she answered yawning at the same time, however, it was as clear as a bell, "I... don't.... know." Spooky. Coincidence? I really don't think so.

Here's Betty chatting away!


And Avalanche calling the coyotes!


And Edge making a statement!




Whatcha lookin' at kid...


Don't mess with me...

Video Cam

On nice days outside, the puppies have been spending less time in their little indoor pen and more time outside where they have space to run and things to do besides destroy the pee pads. So if the cam isn't on, sorry, but just remember the pups are on a grand adventure, exploring their world outside the lattice fencing and candy cane bed. K2 and Mogul have already left to go to their new homes. Betty leaves January 5, and Edge soon after that. We'll shut down the cam at that point. But be sure to follow the ski patrol pups on this blog to see where life takes them.