The end of the line...

Meet my Dud. Appropriately named Don Juan - Conformation champion, OFA Excellent, Agility titled. A shiba that has never met another dog that he did not like. The sweetest, cuddliest male shiba around. The only dog that will let my 5 year old son haul him around like a rag doll. Full dentition, no allergy, thryroid, or heart problems. He is bright, spunky, and sweet natured. Sounds perfect right?

So wouldn't you want to continue all those wonderful traits by keeping puppies from him? But as we just found out, Don Juan isn't perfect.

Everyone in his line is too old to produce. He is the last unneutered and unspayed dog from his direct line. When he was younger he did his part to produce two litters of 5 puppies. All in good homes, all now spayed and neutered. So this past year, he has been vacationing in sunny Arizona in the hopes that he would have a son or daughter to carry on the Don Juan line. But unfortunately, He has been bred 6 times in the past year plus twice a couple years ago with no puppies resulting. It's sad for all of us who would like to see more shibas just like Don Juan.

But alas, it's just not going to happen.

His breeders, John and Carold Calder, found out this week that the last female that they had bred to him is not pregnant. They had a canine fertility specialist assist with the breeding, and all the tests checked out before and during the breeding, but for whatever reason, Don Juan is not producing puppies. So some people have studs... I have a dud. But that's perfectly fine with me. I love him for all his good traits. And who knows, someday when technology allows, maybe I'll clone him (can we erase the fence climbing/crate escaping gene?).

Three Puppies!

I had Tama x-rayed yesterday to see how many puppies she is carrying. And the answer is THREE! The vet said she saw a shadow that could be a 4th one, but for sure she has 3. I'm just thrilled. Her due date is January 3rd!

He's baaaack...

Last March, Don Juan flew off to Arizona with me and did an extended stay with his breeder while I returned back to Western Washington. Today I picked him up from the airport. He's home for the holidays!

So, is she? Or is she not?

As you might have read in a previous blog entry, Tama flew off to Oregon last month to visit her arranged boyfriend for a couple weeks. And now we are just waiting... will there be puppies in our future?

Tama is a conformation champion that finished with 5 majors including one 5 point major. She has a pretty incredible pedigree. The male is a really nice japanese import who I've had my eye on for awhile. I think they will make gorgeous puppies.

One more month to go!

Show Ring News

This morning, Sace (Kishi-Tibbs Legally Red) who is vacationing in sunny Arizona, took the 4 point major at the Sahuaro State Kennel Club Show going Best of Winners over her littermate, Tatsu, who took Winner's Dog. Both of them getting their first points at the same show...

This is a little reminiscent of Tama and her littermate Johnny getting most of their points together and finishing at the same show! But how awesome is that!

This is really a special treat for me since I am down as the breeder on both Sace and Tatsu. And this was my first "official" bred-by litter. So it's very exciting to have two dogs in the show ring that are doing so well.

Anyway, It's been an exciting weekend.

And she's home...

I picked up Tama from the airport earlier today. She looks really happy to be back home and she doesn't seem to be pining or broken hearted over her lost love. We'll see what results from their little trist.

Ed's new nick name for her is ho-bag. A very appropriate name for a litter born near the holidays...ho, ho, ho.

Popular Puppy...

Jazz went trick or treating downtown with us on Monday. Many people stopped to pet her or to comment on how cute she is, or how well behaved she was in the HUGE crowd of people and kids in costumes. Little did they know she had her own agenda. She was campaigning for a placement on the front page of our local newspaper by playing for the camera and kissing up to the photographer. And much to my surprise, I opened the paper this morning and THERE SHE WAS! Front page center. OK, so they got the story a little wrong. They reported she was dressed as a pilgrim, when in all reality she was really a witch. Either way, Jazz has had her 15 minutes of fame. And all this time I was hoping it would be in the breed ring!

Happy Halloween!

It's the witching hour... Beware of the canine!

One birthday after another...

Let's hear it for Jazz. Age 2 today. Anyone know a jazzy birthday song you can sing?

All is well in Oregon!

I dropped Tama off at the airport today. She has been received on the other end safely. Funny thing is, by the time I dropped her off, drove back to the ferry, waited for the ferry and made it home, she was already there.

She's was introduced to her new boyfriend. And I heard a rumour that she thinks he's kind of cute.

It's your birthday...

...and it's her last day here with us until she flys off to Oregon for a couple weeks. Happy Third Birthday Tama.

Now get your booty off my sofa.

Tama's finally blessed us...

The little girl has been holding out on us. Ten months after her last season, Tama is finally "in". Which means the virginal little girl will soon meet the man of her dreams... Ch. Mamba Go Ryuukyuu Uruma. She's jetting off to Oregon on Monday for her little fling.

Below is a picture of BeeJay (the stud)...

Canine Fest

I spent the weekend at the Puyallup Fair Grounds for the annual Canine Fest. If you love dogs, you'd love this event. There were vendors, booths, and canine demos, pet psychics, and dog washes. You name it and it was probably there. There was even an International dog show. I enjoyed being able to compare the difference between the International Show and an AKC show.

A shiba friend of mine invited me to join her in the shiba booth. It really was fun meeting all the people that wandered by our booth explaining about the breed and their shiba-tude. Most people had never seen a shiba in person and were very intriqued by their fuzzy face and expressive attitude. I took Tama and Jazz with me. For two days they happily greeted everyone who walked into the booth. So much so that our booth took 2nd place in the People's Choice awards. But I have to give special credit to a very cute 5 month old puppy, Danny, who coincidentally is Tama's half brother (same father) who made everyone "Oooo and Awe" over him.

So by winning the 2nd Place People's Choice Award, we get a free breed booth next year. Looking forward to it!

I also have to add, one of the highlights of my weekend was trying a "Fair Scone". I heard it was a Western Washington tradition! And to tell you how good it was, Miss Jazzy helped herself to the rest of mine while I was explaining what a great dog she is! Those shibas!

Click on the photo to see the other photos taken at the Canine Fest!

Happy Birthday Kishi!

October 6th is here again. And Kishi is now 8 years old. I say that with a bittersweet smile. I'm very happy that she has made it 8 years with all her health problems. It has not been easy, that is for sure. Yet I look at her and already see a dog that should be full of vibrance, starting to slow down. The medicines, the allergies, the hypothyroidism, all taking their toll on a bright and very wonderful little dog.

I saw her playing with a toy the other day. I saw the spark of enthusiam she once had. It lasted only a few minutes and then she curled back on her bed and slept for a couple hours.

The one thing I love the most about Kishi is her attitude. She respects me. But she's not afraid to let me know exactly what she is thinking. And sometimes that leads us to butt heads. Girl vs Dog. Dog vs Girl. But there is no other dog in this world that I click with like I do Kishi. Trust me I've been on the search for another just like her. No matter what, she's still my favorite dog. My canine soul-mate.

Happy Birthday, Kishi.

Jazz Time

One of Jazz's favorite things to do is to go for walks. She's a fearless explorer. Today we explored the old boardwalk in Manzanita Park. If you haven't been there, be prepared to hike through mud and slippery boards, and TONS of really awesome scenery. Jazz definately has the makings of an agility dog. She walked every downed log in the forest.

An update on the Partner's Tragedy...

It's still a sad situation. I feel for the owners of all those dogs. My own personal dogs spent many weeks there while I vacationed. We trained almost daily there. And I never felt like my dogs were at any risk. It is a good school run by good people.

Updated Partner's Tragedy

And you think you're in control

While you, as an owner, are training your dog, the dog is also training you. We call this shaping... and dogs are naturals at shaping human behaviors. Your dog barks at the cabinet, you give them a treat. They sit by the door, you let them out. While some shaping makes for a good relationship between you and your dog. For example, you'd rather your dog sit next to the door to go out than pee on your carpet. But there are other shaping behaviors can be misunderstood and can create problems.

Before you get mad at the dog for something it did, ask youself if you have been shaped into creating a reaction. For example, if you don't have a doggy door and you leave your dog outside for a period of time, and the dog barks to come in. The first time, it will be a quiet yip, the next time louder until the dog gets your attention. If you wait until that point to let the dog in, then the dog will know where your limit of tolerance is for letting him inside. The next time, he will get to the limit quicker. Now, am I saying rush out on the first yip to let your dog in? No, but I am saying you need to understand what the dog is doing so you don't get angry with the dog. If you have children, you can relate this to a child begging for a cookie. The first time, it might even have a please behind the request. The next time, you'll be lucky to hear the actual words behind the whine. And finally it will be an all out cry-fest. And your blood pressure rises, and it's a lose-lose situation for both of you. But you don't necessarily need to give in. You do what's best for your child. And the same applies to the dog. You do what works best for both of you.

That is what control is all about. You have control of some aspects of the dog/human life, but the dog has just as much control over you. It's a relationship. Not a dictatorship. And you use your control to make the relationship better, and you also need to know what parts of your life the dog controls so you can use them to make your relationship even better.

So with the example above, you have two options, let the dog bark through it (annoy your neighbors in the process) and let them in only when they are quiet so that you reinforce the quiet behavior and not the barking behavior.

Or you can just deal with the barking, knowing what your limit is, and knowing that the dog will push that limit quicker each time. This is a decision you need to make with yourself. You will need to decide if you want to be at the beck and call of your dog, then let him in, and just come to the understanding that once the dog knows your limit, he will use it to control you in other manners.

So, just when you thought you were in control, now you know. It's not about control. It's about give and take. And chosing your battles.

14 and still going strong.

Chelsea is 14 years old today. She walks a little slower than she used to. I'm not so sure she hears as well. Although she may hear me but doesn't listen any more. But she's still going strong. Part chow and part the neighbor's dog, she has always been sweet tempered and a valued family member since she joined us when she was 5-1/2 weeks old.

Happy Birthday, Chelsea.

By the way, this picture of her is after her grooming appointment. She prefers a lion cut for her summer do.

Do you hear my heart breaking?...

I know this training facility well. I know the people that work there. I know the owners. I am so sorry to hear that this happened. The heat in Arizona, even inside a building, can be devastating without air conditioning. Eleven people have died in Phoenix this week due to the heat, and now this. Breaks my heart.

Partner's Tragedy

Survived the 4th...

I have to say this is my favorite time of the year. So it really bugs me that Farley is scared by fireworks. While we were gone at the local Parade, Farley tore through his metal crate and was running loose through the dog room. His stress level when we got home was very high. I didn't put him back in the crate. Instead, I kept him with me and kept going through my daily chores, like taking out the garbage, picking up the house. Even threw a few balls for him. He was sticking pretty close to me just out of fear, so I ignored his stressing and went about life.

By the end of the night, when the fireworks were the loudest, he was doing fine. Not entirely calm, but for anyone who knows Farley, this dog doesn't know calm, so as long as his tounge was back in his mouth and he was more like his normal self, I felt like we came along way in overcoming this fear. Or at least surviving it until next year.

But I have to give big KUDOS to Miss Tama. This dog is bomb proof. I took her to the parade with us. So that included about 5 miles of walking, being touched by hundreds (and I'm not kidding on the number - HUNDREDS) of people, both adults and children. She not only handled it with her special style of grace and dignity, she actually ate it up. She loves to meet people. I actually had several people walk up to me while we were walking in the Parade and walk down the street with me asking about her and her breed. She is a really special shiba, with an exceptional personality. And a great representative of the breed. She greeted the last person with the same tail wag and shiba smile as she did the very first one.