Interview For Japanese TV

Today the Shiba Inus and their people were the stars of a pilot episode featuring Japanese things in America for a new Japanese television series out of Osaka, Japan. We spent over 2 hours shooting in several locations. Now Ike, Beebe, Farrah, Grym, Penny, Pip, Eli, Maluko and Koji, with their people Sandra, Pam and myself, are super awesome Japanese TV stars! 

They basically asked us why we chose Shiba Inus (clean, small, quiet-ish, primitive, not in your face) and how we think they represent Japanese culture (they are a National Treasure, number 1 companion pet in Japan, reserved, naturally beautiful, artless grace, discussed Kan-i, Ryosei, and Soboku and learned how to pronounce them correctly!). They asked what their names were and why we chose American names over Japanese names (the dogs were born in America afterall).

The director was also interested in where we got our dogs (insert multiple shameless plugs here), if strangers approach us looking at our dogs and what do they say (are those foxes?), and if they are becoming more popular in America (mentioned puppy mills and pet stores!!!!). For some reason, they were particularly interested in our Shiba Inu bumperstickers and wanted to know what they ment and if people commented on them.

In turn, I learned about some very interesting cultural differences via their American liason. He indicated that his apartment was considered spacious by his Japanese friends, and it was basically the size of my kitchen. Holy cow, that's why they all nodded their heads in approval when I stated the Shiba Inus small size makes them a popular pet in Japan, and I believe it if their living quarters are that small. No wonder so many Japanese train their dogs to go on pee pads indoors in their crates.

Lastly, they were duely impressed by (frightened of) the Caucasian Ovcharka, but he was not so fond of them. I was suprised that several of the Japanese film crew asked if he was an Akita. Fail. They must not see too many Akita up close. Sadly, we were too busy to get many pictures of ourselves, however, we will be getting a DVD copy of the shoot to share with everyone, hooray!

Rawr!

I luvs you Koji

Koji, I win

Eli

Ike

Ike

Agility Fun with Eli

Ike, Farrah, Koji

Eli and Pam get interviewed at the park. Thanks to the asshat
who drove by us during MY interview yelling "Ha, I ruined
your interview!" I apologized on behalf of the American
people for this guys rudeness.

Random Show Photos

Ike's too sexy for his shirt. Can anyone say "Beefcake!"

FYI, for anyone who is interested, Susan Norris Jones of Sunojo Shibas is a very nice breeder and really fun to chat with. Her dogs are also beautiful.

Calling NASA, I Have a Breeding Question

I was looking at vendor booths while at the dog show. My eye was captured by a set of snazzy little blankets and vests. The vendor began telling me how NASA designed this special heat absorbing garment to regulate temperature in space of astronauts during re-entry, etc. It can also be used to keep dogs cool and prevent them from overheating. She was trying to sell me some. I thought to myself that my dogs have their own built in space blankets and the ability to pant to cool down. Why would I need something like this with a Shiba? Seeing the puzzled look on my face, she volunteered that she had English Bulldogs, and we both went "Ah, gotcha" at the same time, as that pretty much explained everything.

Dear NASA, since when did you become concerned with breeding dogs? I think we need to let bulldogs be extinct already if it takes space technology to keep them alive. Seriously, if you're going to invest all that time and money and research into making things stay alive that should be dead, why not make something really cool like a dinosaur? Or 100 Einsteins? We could use some more of those. Bulldog space blankets is right up their with your MAG (maximum absorbency garment) idea so astronauts and cosmonauts can wet themselves in space or while driving across the country to stalk their lovers. Toilets are sooo 20th century. Yeah that's cool, not!

I Want a Border Collie

I am turning to the Dark Side. I want a Border Collie as my next working/performance dog. I am not giving up on training with Shibas at all, but there are these great Border Collies enrolled in my Rally and Focus classes that I am mesmiraized with. It's been great fun watching how they learn and speaking with their owners, and seeing what great dogs they can be to work with.

Beebe, my Flyball/Agility Shiba, is not as physically sound as she needs to be in order to safely continue with Agility training, which is why I am getting back into Rally with her. Her conformation is terrible and I don't want her to injure herself on one too many jumps, although bless her little heart, she is an enthusiastic worker.

So, I am looking for a sound dog who is built to work and wants to work...down the road of course, not right now.

Shiba Inu Health Issues Survey

For curiosity sake, what health issues do your Shiba Inus suffer? I made a quick little survey to find out. Thanks for playing!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZV56MH2

Here is part 2 of the health survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5MFV897

Craiglist, the New Canine Matchmaking Service

I browse Craigslist every so often, mostly looking for dog training equipment, or chicken things. While I'm browsing, I also like to scout the Pet section for Shibas and lost dogs in my area. I follow that by searching generically for "dog", which has become a form of self torture for me. Here is why: If the d-bags that are flipping puppies, or "looking for a femail to breed with lab/gsd mix with papers" isn't enough to give me indigestion, surely all the 7 week old teacup designer puppies for "adoption", adolescent pit puppies that "sadly are not allowed in the new house", and 11 year old "we love him very much and hate to see him go but he needs more time and attention and is too jealous of the baby" dogs, are. Also, what's with all the Hissing Cockroaches and Dumbo Rats for sale? Do people really keep these as pets? The least CL could do is mandate pictures of the skeevy owners along with their wares, just for grins, otherwise it's like a really uncomfortable blind date (which is synonymous I realize).

Nisqually Kennel Club, Day 1

Ike was awesome. It was a beautiful outdoor show in a nice grounds. Thanks to Sandra for the great pictures and Ike's Auntie Cheryl for advice. Her girl Gussy was WB, and Ike was BOW, so we all went home with a point and happy dogs.

Do Dogs Understand Sarcasm?

Happy 4th birthday Beebe! I'm glad you like the giant pile of rocks I bought just for you. I know you have always wanted someplace hard and lumpy to sleep on so I am glad I haven't wasted any money on 5 oversized plush dog beds from Costco.

Shiba Pictures