Monday, December 12, 2011

Early Christmas gift fail

This was an early Christmas gift for Maggie. It has an empty water bottle inside and two squeaky things in front and back so it makes a lot of noise. We just bought it for her last weekend.

It's easy to forget that she gets bored of new things very fast 
when you're shopping for your beloved pet.

"I don't want to play with that dirty old thing anymore."

She thrashed it around a few times and one of the squeaker no longer works. 
It's only December 12.

Maggie's forte

 At Esprit Park.

 At Point Isabel.

At Fort Funston.
 At Glen Canyon.

It's official: Maggie is the Master of finding dirty tennis balls.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Certified Pre-owned Pets


Today Maggie's owner would like to address an important issue.

SFSPCA has this billboard out by our neighborhood doggy daycare. I think it's incredibly sweet and clever. We need more people to be conscious of where pets from pet stores and online breeders come from, and that there are literally thousands of pets out there awaiting their rescue.

I was ignorant of the reality until I did in fact, purchase Maggie from an "online breeder". I was very lucky that Maggie has no issues with socialization or training, and that she is/became a very mild-mannered dog. I was also extremely lucky in that she came with only a minor health problem (Giardia) when we first acquired her.

My research was not so extensive in acquiring a Shiba Inu; I just went online and chose the cutest little puppy I could find. I couldn't believe it was as easy as clicking on your favorite dog and they would just ship her to wherever you were the next week. Either I was to dish out close to a thousand dollars for a Shiba Inu puppy from a local breeder (who bred for show), or I could pay a few hundred and get a dog whose history or temperament I would not know until it had arrived from a random place in Missouri.  I would find out later that yes, purchasing a pet online is too good to be true.
A dog is a living thing, not some merchandise you purchase from Amazon.

We all live in a world where appearances matter and we choose pets based on the breed, color, size of our choosing. The sad reality is that a lot of people who purchase a purebred regret getting them because they simply did not live up to what they had in mind, or they were just too difficult to deal with. Purebred dogs have strong behavioral traits and they must be nurtured in a way that both fit the human and the dog's life. Sometimes mixed breeds are much easier to deal with in terms of temperament and personality. They are also stronger and live longer compared to purebreds. Many of them are so grateful that you have rescued them, you can see it in their wagging tails and happy faces.

I regret having purchased a dog from an online breeder whom I have never even met. To my knowledge, their website disappeared a few months after I got Maggie and I have no way of contacting the so-called "breeder" anymore. Really stupid move on my part.
If I were to get another dog in the future, I would not give a second thought to adopting from the shelter. I love Maggie and I think she's truly a great dog. However, I wish that someone had told me not to buy a dog online before I did.

It's extremely important to research not only the breeders, but the breed itself before committing to buying one. Just because it looks cute or cool, doesn't mean that it's the right dog for your lifestyle.
Do not buy from a pet store or from online breeders who live hundreds of miles away from you.
Remember, once you acquire a dog you are responsible for it until the end of its life.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Maggie's Law

Maggie's Law states that: as soon as you give her a thorough bath, she will become dirty.

The Law played out this morning during a trek at Glen Canyon. Maggie decided not to cross the makeshift bridge (a plank of wood) across a black, muddy creek that was in the middle of the path. She decided to go around the bridge by rooting her paws into the tar-colored mud puddle with much hesitation.

Yesterday, I had just given her a thorough fruit-scented bath. Thankfully, her "self-cleaning" fur managed to clean off by itself by the time we got back to the car that my initial horror and disappointment was not really necessary. I am starting to realize the finer points of the Shiba Inu coat.

Maggie feeling like she's on top of the world after finding a muddied tennis ball.

"Do not take this ball away from me, I'm going to take it home."

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

R.I.P. Pugsley


Pugsley has been Maggie's "pal" since she was a puppy.  
He kept her company when she had to stay home. 
He entertained her when her owners were too tired to play....

But for some reason she managed to chew his ear off, rip a hole through his head and pull out the stuffing.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Regal Shiba Inu

Except her sitting posture is a bit lazy.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Rainy Day

Cuddling up with your best friend just might be the best thing to do on a rainy day.
Lots of indoor days to come....

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Maggie plays Angry Bird


"Yay, a new toy!!"
Of course, it only took about five minutes before she got bored of her angry bird.
Typical Shiba.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

When the owners' away, the dogs will play!


Maggie had lots of fun at our neighborhood doggy boarding, Dogplile Dogs this week. She's also spending two nights with her best friend Goji. So much better than waiting for mom & dad to come back from work!

Monday, September 12, 2011

7 Wonders

Today I would like to introduce the 7 wonders of Maggie's world:

1. Maggie likes to take kibble out of her bowl and and eat it out of the kitchen.
2. Likes to bring bones and chew sticks on top of your foot or your lap to chew.
3. Shakes at least 20 times a day.
4. Freaks out if something is touching her fur or tail.
5. Chases her tail and spins crazily.
6. Drinks water so fast that she chokes and has to hack it up.
7. Poops in increments of two or more.

Maggie chewing on tendon on top of her dad.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Maggie watches t.v.


Maggie is mesmerized by the wolves in Yellowstone. 
Maybe she wants to live in the wild like them.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Japanese Shiba Inu book

 Maggie's thinking, "Oh no, mom bought another Shiba Inu book.... the real thing is right in front of you!!"

It's kind of funny, Maggie looks nothing like these Shibas in Japan. 
But you're perfect in my eyes!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Do you really have to go?

Maggie always gives me a sad face as I prepare to leave for work. 
I wish I could trade places with her for a day.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

Maggie's faves

As I was getting ready to take Maggie out, I looked around and saw Maggie on the couch doing this.

"I'm waiting for you to take me somewhere...."
 (I noticed she does this when she's bored or seeks attention. I am indeed a sucker.)

I took her to her favorite place in the whole world, which is the beach. She gets so excited she runs around and picks up debris on the shore, digs holes in the sand and chases anything that moves. Basically she goes crazy at the beach.

Her second favorite is our neighborhood doggy day care, Dogpile Dogs. She will show enthusiasm she rarely shows at home when entering Dogpile. Her ears flatten, her tail wags unabatedly and she squeals like she's going to have a heart attack. They must treat her really nice there....!

Her third favorite spot is of course the one and only, Fort Funston. Miles of open space where she can run around to her heart's content. It seems as though she's really in her "element" when she is there.

 Maggie getting sand all over her face at Montara State Beach.
Summer is in full blast for Maggie.


I really hope that her fourth favorite place is at home with Mom & Dad!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Dog Sense


For those of you trying to make sense of your dog(s). 
Dog Sense: How the new science of dog behavior can make you a better friend to your pet
A great summer read!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Maggie heart carrot

The irresistible crunch 'n munch.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Happy Friday


Have a great weekend!
- Maggie at Corona Heights, San Francisco.

Treasure Hunter?


Maggie has a knack for finding tennis balls that do not belong to her. She finds them and sometimes insists on bringing it home, but I have to force her to leave it since it's usually covered in mud or slobber. And we also have fifty tennis balls at home.


Now, it would be nice if she had a knack for finding money on the ground!



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Busy May

Regrettably I was only able to post only once last month due to a very busy schedule. Nevertheless, Maggie's weeks were action-packed!

Savoring the sunset at Seal Point Dog Park.

 Sitting pretty at home.

 Getting a big bone for being a good girl. 
(She destroyed this bone in about half a day)
 
 Getting a facial.

Finding tennis balls at Fort Funston.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Maggie eats salad

So I got Maggie a little pot of kitty grass this week.....

 She enjoyed nibbling on it for a while....

And I thought, oh how nice. Dogs enjoy a little salad once in a while.
We left her in the kitchen with the pot of grass and came back and saw....


She had completely destroyed it.
Awesome.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Musings


Sometimes I wonder whether or not Maggie is happy being an only child. It must be a bummer waiting all by herself for 6 hours for us to come home. But on the other hand if she had a brother or sister to play with at home then would play time at the park or doggie day care be just as fun? 
These are just some of the things that a crazy dog owner thinks about...

Thursday, April 21, 2011

The cost of owning a Shiba

Brand new IKEA couch - $399

Resale value after less than a year - $50 (or less)


Living with a Shiba Inu - priceless.