Koji vs the Mighty Boar!

Or, how Koji cracked his tooth.

Yesterday was Koji's yearly checkup, and all went very well, doctor said he was perfect, gave him his three year vaccinations that were due and aside from being really nervous, he did very well.

Then I pointed out that I noticed he had a broken tooth about two weeks ago (but I had already made an appointment so it could wait.) The vet looked at it, checked the other side, which was fine, then went back to it and wiggled it. In pieces.

Way to go, bubs. You cracked your tooth and it now has to come out soon. I hope you'll be turning tricks in order to pay for this, mister.

As to how he cracked his tooth? We were thinking it over, trying to figure it out. He doesn't pick up rocks, his antler and nylabone he doesn't even touch, and the hardest treat he eats are bully sticks, which is easy enough to cut with a serrated knife (I've done it before to fit in the jar). While putting on his new rabies tag, my mom joked about his tags, and that's when it hit me. Koji used to chew on his tags all the time, and I'd make him spit them right back out. In that picture, you will notice a purple tag silencer, which he chewed right off. Once that was gone, he'd continue to chew on them, on his left side. I haven't realized it until now, but he hasn't been chewing his tags anymore. Probably because numbnuts cracked his tooth.

Way to go, dog. That's why I said don't chew on your tags.

Prints for Relief

I've decided to sell prints to help more with Japan's relief effort. Even though it's been a month since their 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami, Japan has still been getting aftershocks that are earthquakes in their own right, power outtages due to their offline power plants (Fukushima #1 still being dire), a shortage of supplies, and a continuing loss of property, home, and loved ones.

Prices for the prints start at $10 for an 8x10 or smaller on photo paper, but larger sizes and other materials are offered if you are so inclined. 50% of all print proceeds will be donated per print order to the chairty of your choosing;

Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
ARK

You can look at available prints here; Prints for Relief

One Month

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Originally uploaded by thepaisleyfox

It's been a whole month since Japan's awful earthquake and resulting tsunami. There are so many in Japan that are still trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, including their much loved animals.

To find out how to help Japan's pets, go to http://www.arkbark.net/?q=en/

A tale of tails

I apologize for the lack of updates. Between a lull of rescues and the amount of full and part-time jobs for Jeff and me equaling a whopping 5, there's not a lot of time left for things we want to do, like stay home with our dog. But we're working on it.

In the meantime, I have been trying to take a picture of Koji every week for the 52 Weeks for Dogs group on flickr (and I've already missed one week!) which is what I post on here from time to time.

Before I leave, though, DID YOU KNOW that Shibas actually are allowed to have three different types of curl? Most people are only used to two of them. The types of tail allowed in the breed are the Sickle, the Single Curl, and the Double Curl.

 

Japanese Dogs - Chiba Michiko

 

The first two types of tail on the left are known as a sickle tail and the top one is most desired, as the tail should be carried over the back, but either is acceptable. The next two on the right are a single curl, while the final tail is, you guessed it, a double curl.

"Tail is thick and powerful and is carried over the back in a sickle or curled position. A loose single curl or sickle tail pointing vigorously toward the neck and nearly parallel to the back is preferred. A double curl or sickle tail pointing upward is acceptable. In length the tail reaches nearly to the hock joint when extended. Tail is set high."

Some real-life examples of each of the tails;

 

Koji - Sickle Tail

 

 Yuki-san - Single Curl

 

 Jiro - Double Curl

 

While all three types of tail are accepted and do not indicate a mix of the breed, the double and single curl seem to be the most popular and the types of tail that are most commonly seen. I've had so many people think Koji was some sort of mix or not sure what kind of breed he was, even those familiar with Shibas, all because of his tail. Most of these people have never even realized that types other than a tight curl are in fact acceptable in the breed. The more you know! 

Freckletongue

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Originally uploaded by thepaisleyfox

4/52

4/52
Originally uploaded by thepaisleyfox

Look how smug that little snot is. So proud he even posed for the camera. ;)

Should You Breed Your Dog?

This awesome flow chart was found by one of my fellow goons off of reddit.com. I think this pretty much accurately sums up my feelings on the situation.

Sushi

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Originally uploaded by thepaisleyfox

Our foster Mushi (now Sushi) back in August has come back to us for the Christmas holiday while his new family went out of town. Him being here is making me wonder why we ever let him go, this week has just further proven how perfect he and Koji are for each other. I've just got to tell myself there will be other Mushis out there and enjoy his company while we can (as well as volunteer to watch the little guy whenever they want!)

Rescue: Volunteers, Shelters, and the dreaded Armchair!

A friend and fellow rescuer recently brought up a few rather good points about rescue. First off is her article about how you can help and actually make a difference in rescue, as well as what is generally not recommended and regarded as the opposite of help.

Second, anyone actively in rescue, volunteers at a shelter, does it individually or is interested in it is encouraged to go to this most recent post and post your insight or opinions on the matter! Even questions you'd like answered is highly welcomed. You can post on Jenna's blog, comment on here, or find one of us on Facebook. We'll be sure to get the information where it's needed.

It's Official!

The Shiba Inu Rescue of Texas is now officially a 501(c)3 non-profit organization! Wahoo!

Consistency

You don't really realize how important the routine is to your dog until it gets completely tossed out the window.

Koji's been in boarding before, he's been over at friends' for the weekend, we've had fosters and guests come and go and both Jeff and I have left for a few days while the other stays at home with the dog. Apparently this last time completely threw our dog off his mojo.

I was invited to join my mom out at DisneyWorld for 4 fun filled days, and of course I jumped at the chance. Jeff had to stay home, on account of him student teaching, so nothing else out of the ordinary would have to happen except dropping me off and picking me up from the airport.

I guess with me being gone, his whole world flipped upside down this time. As reported by my husband, he'd race out of the bedroom in the mornings to look for me at the front door or living room, then sulk back off to bed when I wasn't there. And when I did get home, not only did I get the lovely parting gift of food poisoning, but I had to go right back into work for the next four days. My dog turned into a shaking, unsure, almost neurotic mess. Every time it looked as though we were going to leave, he'd get up, hide behind the chair in the living room, and shake. If i was home, he'd shake. If the ice maker was dispensing ice, if the rice cooker was making noise, if someone walked up the stairs on the other side of the living room wall, he'd shake. Of course I couldn't coddle him, pet him, or tell him things were gong to be okay. He's a dog. He'd think that shaking would keep me here and give him lovin's.

So we went about our normal routine, continuing to feed, walk and play with him as normal, and as he was getting even when I was gone. After about a week back into the normal swing of things with everyone home, he's finally starting to settle down, his leg will barely tremor and he's back on track to being the dog that "doesn't give a f**k". I suppose some good that has come out of it was the tactic I used on my days off to distract him from his neuroses of training. I was able to get his nails dremmeled with less panic and we're on our way to a new trick (though so far only if I have treats. Of course.) Also, he is continuing to be my velcro dog and has to be in the same room as me more than ever. I must admit I do enjoy the attention, but only if he continues to be confident. I don't need him to be a broken mess every time I have to step out to do something.

The Downside to Rescue

A good friend of mine and a fellow SIRTx rescuer wrote a guest blog about her experiences with three not so happy endings in our rescue (one of which y'all might recognize) and I highly encourage everyone to read. Sometimes rescue is more than happy stories and mild headaches with training and socializing new dogs. It really does take a certain type of person to deal with all of the ups and downs of rescue, but luckily we've experienced more ups than downs, and it's the ups that keep us going.

Inu Baka

Besides the obvious restrictions of our apartment complex, I feel the same way and confusion of why I haven't just been jumping in to volunteer more readily. My home is always open to those in need, people and animals alike, but I've felt off, and Sentaro wasn't ever my foster, though the poor guy did spend hours in my car. Perhaps whats getting to me is that I've never had to make the decision or be there to put down any of my own animals before, my mom taking our cat herself, my rat dying of natural (tumor) causes, and my husband's dog being taken care of by his parents. I still didn't have to make the decision, it was made for me, I just had to be there with him. Sentaro wasn't my dog, or as I mentioned even my foster, but I felt for him, I loved for him and I cried for him, even for the short time I knew him. I don't believe I'm burnt out from rescue, as I haven't done it for long enough, but I do know I will be aprehensive about the slightest signs of Parvo from now on.

Sad news

Zip and Zap are recovering well and were able to go home to finish fighting off this illness. Unfortunately, Sentaro was getting septic and since the Parvo was proving to be too much for him, we at the rescue felt it to be the most humane to let him go this morning.

We didn't get a chance to really know you yet, but you will be sorely missed and you were greatly loved, little buddy.

Shiba Inu Rescue of Texas

Zip, Zap and Sentaro vs Parvo

Wednesday and Thursday this past week, our rescue picked up these three brothers from Garland, TX. The two creams were at the shelter, positive for mange, and the B&T was found by a resident. They're all, unfortunately, the product of terribly irresponsible breeders, who decided to not take care of them and dump these 7-9 month old pups in the middle of nowhere. Besides mange, these puppies have hookworm, roundworm, scabs, and just recently, Parvo.

Parvovirus, for those that aren't familiar, is a particularly nasty disease that has an 80% fatality rate and causes gastrointestinal tract damage as well as a few other things. In laymans terms, these poor dogs get the worst intestine destroying flu, to say the least. All three of them right now are fighting for their lives at two different vets, and we, the Shiba Inu Rescue of Texas, need your help.

Our rescue has gotten by in the past with privately donated funds, but these guys need a fighting chance and unfortunately, our pockets are not endless. Even you can only spare $5, it would mean the world to us and to these puppies. Our PayPal email is texasshibarescue@aol.com and every little bit helps.

If you decide not to donate, that is also okay. Please only support responsible breeders and keep your animals up to date on all of their vaccinations.

(Next up are those pictures and cookie recipes I promised. Stay tuned!)

ALMOST there

The Shiba Inu Rescue of Texas has been Incorporated by the State of Texas and just last night, Nicole and I finished up the paperwork to file for our 501(c)3 (nonprofit) after working on it off and on for the past few months. We just need the heads of the rescue to sign, write a check, and mail it to the Feds to get approved.

Goodness, it was a lot of work and full of legal jargon. I don't think we would have come close to have comprehended it and finshed so fast without the help of Paula from the Tri State Shiba Inu Rescue. You are awesome, Paula.

Next step is to curb Koji's allergies that recently started up and to make another tin of cookies this weekend for a Shiba in need. I'll be sure to get pictures and recipes up, as well as more info about Keido. Feel better, buddy.

Mm cookies

Tar0 finally got the treats in the mail a few days ago, and looks like they all arrived in one piece! More or less. ;)

For those who want to make some of these treats at home, I will post recipes as soon as the apartment has been thoroughly de-furred. Aah, coat blowing time.

Stay tuned!

Koji Cookies

FINALLY got some of these recipes to listen. I'll be a baking machine for the next few days to get all of these done for my winners (and I apologize for the delay!) I promise they'll be worth it.

Pictured left is a grain-free peanut butter and carob cookie that literally makes Koji drool.

Winner Announced!

Time's up! 

Random.org has chosen comment #6. Congrats, Carina!

Also, Random.org chose comment #7 for a runner up prize of a tin full of Koji Cookies! Congrats, Taro!

Shoot me an email at thepaisleyfox [at] gmail.com and let me know about your pups' food concerns, if any.

Happy Gotcha Day, Koji

One year ago today, we drove nearly four hours away to pick up this little guy at the parking lot of the Round Rock Ikea from someone who took him in after his owners felt they no longer had the time for him. We had been looking for a dog for some time, had emailed the rescue with our information, and at Quakecon 2009, had gotten an email back from, who are now our "Shiba Friends" that he was available and needed a home soon. So after four sleepless gaming nights, we hopped in the car the Monday after and snatched up this bundle of pure crazy. Against better judgement, we decided to leave him uncrated in the car for the first 20 minutes, and he decided it was going to be a good idea to attempt to drive on the freeway, paws on the wheel and everything. He was crated as soon as we pulled over. I loved that we got to see pictures of him being the absolutely adorable puppy that he was, yet didn't have to deal with that level of obnoxiousness.

Koji has taught us so many things over the last year, including why he's the best dog in the world, and why we still really want to wring his little neck sometimes. He's kept us honest and has also given us excuses to duck out early. I love the way his feet smell like Fritos, a corn chip I absolutely hate, how he screams for sweet potatoes, and the way he smiles and wags his swishy tail when we come home, whether we were gone for 5 minutes or 5 hours. I love that he talks to us, annoys us till we play, and that he wants to be everyone's best friend, even to the point of making other dogs annoyed with his persistant rudeness. He makes us burst out laughing every single day and we miss him dearly if we don't come home to his anxious face.

I love this dog. He was definitely the best decision we've made so far.

To celebrate, Koji, Jeff and I would like to give away another Field Point Shiba key cover, as well as a tin full of custom Koji Cookies, tailored to fit your pup's tastes and needs. Just leave a comment telling me about your first dog, your first Shiba, or the day you picked up your current dog. A winner for the double prize will be announced 1 week from today, (8/24).

Life is hard for a bubs.