tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61038827022110260732024-03-13T09:16:40.612-04:00Scout and Maxthe Shiba Inu King & his sidekickScout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-31223988608374525342011-06-06T21:27:00.000-04:002011-06-06T21:27:04.335-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/yQyoI_6TnhY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yQyoI_6TnhY&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yQyoI_6TnhY&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
Watch for the shiba paw! I won't hug dad or get closer but i'll paw him to pet me.....</div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-88463174481464349082011-05-31T20:03:00.005-04:002011-06-16T21:59:26.484-04:00Scout & the dog park, a no-no!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Scout has now had 2 unsuccessful experiences at the dog park a few months apart. Early on, he did not handle well the first dog park we went to one near our old home. It was crowded and had many dogs and this made him feel like he was out of control or overwhelmed. Everything was a perceived threat which led him to thinking he needed to attack to defend himself. When we moved, I belatedly learned of a new dog park and thought we could start trying to socialize him again.<br />
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I knew to keep myself calm & assertive, not to crowd him which would amp up his protectiveness and no leashing within the park. On-leash aggression is a problem when a dog feels it cannot defend itself restrained. His first bad incident was with a male, unneutered young friendly pit bull. The dog was far away at the fence line peeing. Scout dropped into a stalking-down-position (prey/hunting behavior) with an unblinking stare at the other dog. I had never seen him react like this before and did not employ the blocking technique which would have obstructed his view of the other dog. Before I knew it, he took off right at the other dog. There was a lot of trash talking and shiba screaming. The owner of the pit bull was calm and quickly went after his dog and praised him for not reacting to Scout's crazed tantrum. We didn't return to the park for a while. I discussed it with other shiba owners. We chalked it up to the fact that dogs much like people do not like everyone they meet and to be extra vigilant next time. Some tips to keep in mind with an aggression-prone shiba inu:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stay calm and assertive</li>
<li>Teach your dog the avoidance technique, so as to not feel compelled to confront every dog he meets</li>
<li>Create space between your shiba and other dogs, or block his view of other dogs if you think something will happen</li>
<li>Manufacture neutral experiences on neutral ground to build his confidence and lessen the aggression</li>
<li>Protect him from rude dogs (overly excitable like the young pit bull he "encountered"; fearful/shy or even frustrated dogs)</li>
<li>Refocus your dog's energy back on you every so many seconds with treats, praise or toys so he doesn't become obsessed with a dog and go into aggression overdrive</li>
</ul>Desensitization exercises with a shiba inu can take a long time because they are a more primitive breed and have a lower instinct threshold (the point where they lose control). Dominance/Submission are survival mechanisms wolves/dogs use when they feel they need it. I do not feel (from experience) that dogs are in a prime state for learning at the park when they feel they need to use one of these survival mechanisms. <br />
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I had someone remark to me that Scout's tolerance level had decreased as he's gotten older. He's 9 now and wants to be in charge within the park and for everyone to be calm, submissive and just meander around like he does. The only dog he'll ever engage in play is his sibling, Max, who is a much smaller dog that he's grown up with. <br />
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So after the unfortunate pit bull incident, I decided Scout deserved a second chance. We had a few uneventful visits where Max rolled with the big dogs and had fun. One day, Scout just observed and splashed the pond with his paw to tell the water-loving labs to get out. We always went early on a weekday when fewer dogs would be around and I would easily have more control over the situation. Ever observant of any other dogs in the vicinity, I noted that there was only one other dog on this fateful day. It was a young rescued greyhound 7 weeks into adoption with its new owner. This greyhound had some shyness issues she informed me and we watched it race very fast around the park's borders at a high speed. Regrettably as it got closer to the picnic shelter where we all were standing, Scout's need for dominance or defense took over and he lunged at the dog vocalizing the notorious shiba scream that he was displeased with this dog's behavior. The greyhound agitated tried to get away from him. <br />
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We did not step into the middle of the two of them because your chances of getting bitten are very high. Two animals in the middle of a fight are in survival drive. When in fight or flight mode, they don't see you as their owner and will bite you. The proper way is to grab the dog's back feet like a wheelbarrow and pull them apart. Slowly swing the dogs in a circle while backing away from each other to keep the dog from curling back and biting you in the legs. Fortunately we did not have to employ this method and the fight quickly died down within 30 seconds. It was still very upsetting to see this greyhound have this experience so early in its new life with a loving owner. We inspected him for open wounds or puncture sores and did not find any. I took full responsibility, offered to pay for any vet care and apologized profusely. We left the park quickly.<br />
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I made the decision that Scout does not want the dog park experience and would be better off kept at home in a stress-free environment while I take Max alone in the future. I do agree that Scout is older and less tolerant. Dogs can outgrow their desire to play as they age. Shiba Inus as a rule don't like their space bubble disrespected. They hate dogs that get in their face or are all bouncy and playful. They see it as rude or terrible behavior. Scout has always done well with northern breeds like huskies and malamutes whose body language is similar and he recognizes. If I could fill up the dog park with just huskies in a minute, I would! <br />
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</div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-85200633444427547472010-08-09T20:00:00.001-04:002010-08-09T20:04:52.339-04:00Scout glamour shots!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/TGCXjp6OZEI/AAAAAAAADaQ/7tLIhVlAmLo/s1600/scout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/TGCXjp6OZEI/AAAAAAAADaQ/7tLIhVlAmLo/s320/scout.jpg" /></a></div>I'm a celebrity on this <a href="http://mod4.com/blog/2010/08/scout-the-shiba-inu-portraits/">blog</a>!!! Mom made me have a bath and go and get my mug shots taken... I thought I was in trouble and headed back to the pound until she showed me my eyes on the computer and patted my head for being a "well behaved" model. Everybody who knows me knows it isn't Scout, unless he's misbehaving and mischievous :PScout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-71982798976713498962010-01-28T16:04:00.002-05:002010-01-28T16:08:05.730-05:00Fun GIF images courtesy of Tierce<a href="http://shibazuke.tumblr.com/page/2">who found it at:</a><br />
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Awesome GIF<br />
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</div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-25925433889899195812009-12-07T01:06:00.007-05:002009-12-07T01:18:45.794-05:00Don't Buy a Shiba shirts!!<a href="http://www.cafepress.ca/nobuyshiba">Cafepress store</a> has some awesome shirts that my mom is thinking of getting. I don't quite know why... I know she has had some unfortunate mishaps when i'm racing all over the park and down roads to the sound of sweet freedom. And I'm not the most sympathetic of dogs when she is wailing for help. I can be impatient to resume my highlight of the day, the walk-about to attain perfect constitutionals. These can only occur after an appropriate amount of time has lapsed which can be 10 laps around the park. Take a look and tell me what you think fellow sheebs. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SxycrdplHrI/AAAAAAAADSg/VWAgoWakR7U/s1600-h/no+buy+shiba.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 284px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SxycrdplHrI/AAAAAAAADSg/VWAgoWakR7U/s320/no+buy+shiba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412373122699828914" border="0" /></a>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-48225361014932787852009-12-06T13:51:00.004-05:002009-12-06T13:58:30.493-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/Sxv9ODfuBDI/AAAAAAAADRM/kD_JnSDrmr4/s1600-h/funny-dog-pictures-nom-question.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/Sxv9ODfuBDI/AAAAAAAADRM/kD_JnSDrmr4/s320/funny-dog-pictures-nom-question.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412197795114124338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Loki's mom got him famous on <a href="http://ihasahotdog.com/2009/12/06/funny-dog-pictures-nom-question/">I has a hot dog</a>.<br />He's on my friends' list on the right. <br />Mom said if this was me - I would be thinking<br /><ol><li><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Is this a trick and they're trying to choke me with this? </span></span></h3></li><li><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Should I torture Max with this & growl at him for a change instead of vice versa?</span></span></h3></li><li><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="UIStory_Message">Have they set the stopwatch yet for me to get in the Guinness book for fastest eating dog?</span></span></h3></li></ol>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-62936687010778942022009-11-08T19:03:00.008-05:002009-11-08T19:12:19.877-05:00We are from Hell....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvddaYUCgBI/AAAAAAAAC-0/p-LXj1JQZzU/s1600-h/Picture+010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvddaYUCgBI/AAAAAAAAC-0/p-LXj1JQZzU/s320/Picture+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401888985838682130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvdcZSPUgJI/AAAAAAAAC-k/YyeD7ncPi1w/s1600-h/Picture+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvdcZSPUgJI/AAAAAAAAC-k/YyeD7ncPi1w/s320/Picture+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401887867516780690" border="0" /></a>Today, Max and I went for a ride.... It was the last indian summer weekend of the year Mom said. It was a long drive and our slaves didn't quite know how to find the town they were looking for. A place called Hell, Michigan.<br /><br />When we got there, they had haystacks to pee on, a golf course called Gulf and lots of people on loud bikes wanting to pet your royal highness, myself. When Daddy insisted on taking my picture with this cutout, I'm not sure why. Mom said you guys will empathize. Max conquered the Great<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvddEyQ3XwI/AAAAAAAAC-s/JwbDwyomT4Y/s1600-h/Picture+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvddEyQ3XwI/AAAAAAAAC-s/JwbDwyomT4Y/s320/Picture+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401888614847569666" border="0" /></a>Pumpkin and posed with it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SvddkU0KnVI/AAAAAAAAC-8/iI9DoerooYU/s1600-h/Picture+003.jpg"><br /></a>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-48885099019182024352009-06-05T14:22:00.001-04:002009-06-20T23:46:00.349-04:0025 Reasons your dog might be a Shiba Inu....25 Reasons you might own a shiba….<br /><br />Your dog resembles a fox and has a tightly curled cinnamon bun tail…<br /><br />Your dog has it backwards and thinks he/she is God and not a Dog…..<br /><br />Your dog has the personality of a cat and acts aloof until you bring him offerings…<br /><br />Your dog thinks he/she is smarter than you and is only tolerating you as a slave…<br /><br />Your dog is like royalty, wants his subjects close enough to serve but not too close as to sully his royal highness.<br /><br />Your dog would be a charming serial killer or dictator of a country if a person….<br /><br />Your dog is also like a catholic priest that can guilt you into doing anything….<br /><br />Your dog thinks you should be obedient to him/her and not the other way around…<br /><br />Your dog can leap tall fences in a single bound and get doors open to go to hell faster…<br /><br />Your dog doesn’t ever wag his tail because it is a display of emotion to please….<br /><br />Your dog will not eliminate in a mile wide radius around your home to force walks since he thinks his waste is gold to be deposited carefully….<br /><br />Your dog makes you feel like it is a privilege to live in your own home with him/her…<br /><br />Your dog will manage to siphon your sitting spot until you fall off the chair or couch…<br /><br />Your dog looks at you with a sly smile and a “screw you” look if ever loose, then bolts…<br /><br />Your dog sheds entire coats for months as if it lives in a tropical climate….<br /><br />Your dog has selective hearing for only treats/walks/grandma…..<br /><br />Your dog makes you feel guilty for eating meals in front of him/her….<br /><br />Your dog wears a crown of entitlement and expects worship, not affection….<br /><br />Your dog can unearth and eat all the chocolate in a pile of presents in 10 minutes flat…<br /><br />Your dog can destruct stuffed animals, shoes and gardening gloves just because…<br /><br />Your dog can obey commands fine from every expensive trainer that makes housecalls…<br /><br />Your dog acts as if he/she is devising strategies to defeat you while you are at work….<br /><br />Your dog is a drama queen being murdered whenever he/she meets the dog groomer…<br /><br />Your dog has a vocal range of an opera singer all the way up to a bloodcurdling scream…<br /><br />Your dog has made you utterly and absolutely besotted with all things Shiba!Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-3257524166141922892009-04-30T18:38:00.003-04:002009-06-05T14:25:03.342-04:00Shiba, the Drain CommissionerMy dog thinks he's a drain commissioner....<br /><br />He helps participate in soil erosion damage by digging furiously when sump pumps kick on during rainy periods.... Nothing excites Scout more than when his digging compels pumps to come on gushing a river of water for his reward. Scout must think in his head that he is turning them on and off through his psychic powers... He monitors and approves drainage in new developments, subdivisions and drainage ditches in times of heavy rainfall. Maybe someday I'll capture Scout on video doing his rounds if he hasn't caused me to lose my camera chasing him to the pots of gold.<br /><br />It's highly possible he wants to join <a href="http://blog.mlive.com/bctimes/2008/09/get_a_whiff_of_this_sewagesnif.html">Sable</a>, a nearby German Shepherd who is the only dog known to detect illicit and failing septic connections that flow from homes into rivers and streams. Sable wears a fluorescent green vest when he's working, identifying him as a "Sewage Sniffing K-9," as part of the company Tetra Tech's "Illicit Discharge Detection Unit."<br /><br />Owners should be aware that drainage water often is a breeding ground for mosquitos and other bacteria so be sure and make your human keep you up to date on your heartworm & vaccinations.Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-82082253743079948442009-03-12T15:04:00.002-04:002009-03-12T15:10:03.239-04:00Shiba on Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks!!!Hey everyone! Did you see Sparky on David Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks (3/10/09)?? I was soooo proud of him and Letterman kept talking about him afterwards with all the guests... We shibas are just that notorious <nod>Now if only i could get Mom to use my prowess to get me on with <a href="http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/petstar/mario/mario.html">Mario's Pet Star</a>. More money for more food, yesssss!<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/liSseCH6_p8&hl=" fs="1" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-86444606427854886072008-12-25T21:27:00.010-05:002008-12-26T09:43:38.959-05:00And a Happy New Year too!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRFOTQlSuI/AAAAAAAAAP8/45WbE5jOVeU/s1600-h/home+038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRFOTQlSuI/AAAAAAAAAP8/45WbE5jOVeU/s320/home+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283924374802746082" border="0" /></a><br />What a day! Not only had Mom been home all week but at first I was skeptical.... More people had come to visit me as well. And they came bearing rawhides, bacon strips and big hunks of meat. Much festivities ensued while the food laid on the counters, in the ovens and in warming drawers for hours. I kept guard over the kitchen and its goodies. See me to the right?<br /><br />Would I get to share in this feast the humans were partaking in??? Why were they so preoccupied with tearing boxes open for things to wear? That was not my problem as long as I had my exquisite fur on my back. Nor did I need mugs to drink out of nor utensils to ration food to my ever <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRCzQi0G_I/AAAAAAAAAPs/wxAB9XiCFNU/s1600-h/home+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRCzQi0G_I/AAAAAAAAAPs/wxAB9XiCFNU/s320/home+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283921711194184690" border="0" /></a>waiting mouth. No towels for me, the shake dry method works every time. Would you like to see what I stared at? It was honeybaked, spiral cut and pre-cooked. It had been ready for days and calling my name over and over. What were they waiting for? Do you blame me at all?<br /><br />First we had to go for a long walk to start the day. Then mom and her brother had to go visit my 98 year old great grandma to give her socks! Socks I tell you... But she was very happy for the get-together and had no idea I was being a gentledog at home, not jumping on the counter, yodeling or otherwise obnoxious. Then once they got back, they gave each other silly boxes next to this tree that was decorated to honor some baby I never met born thousands of years ago. Not only was the ham on this counter, but there was 2 kinds of potatoes, green beans and apple salad. I had to also listen to Grandpa give Dad an article about Slentrol for dogs who need to lose weight. I was pretty sure they were referring to my little brother. He can't keep up with me on walks, not me, nope. They did give me and Max our gifts of treats to eat. But you sure know I was ready for the Big Kahuna of meals....<br /><br />Once the gifts were opened, they proceeded to drink an egg drink with nutmeg. Were they out of their minds??? It had been about 4 or 5 hours by that point. I sitting in a puddle of drool being the most patient of saints. Years from now, dogs will refer to me as o holy one, Scout. Finally everyone sat down to a meal and then do you know what happened to me??? Dad put me in the hallway and shut the door. Why? I sat there and pondered and waited to see if the door would open on its own. Pushed it a few times. Finally, I wailed out and the door opened enough that I could run through and hide under the table. Max was napping at their feet, the idio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVREz48L9qI/AAAAAAAAAP0/6dY3hk7Xajg/s1600-h/home+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVREz48L9qI/AAAAAAAAAP0/6dY3hk7Xajg/s320/home+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283923921061279394" border="0" /></a>t. Finally they dished some food into our bowls once they were done. And this is how bushed I looked after all that wait and the eternal reward? I hope it was a good day for all of you dogs and your parents too! Happy 2009!!!<br /><br />From yours truly, ScoutScout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-2361521441714730462008-12-25T21:19:00.004-05:002008-12-25T21:27:01.467-05:00Scout's Xmas Newsletter 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRA1BbNPAI/AAAAAAAAAPU/nhPC3X2C_ew/s1600-h/home+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRA1BbNPAI/AAAAAAAAAPU/nhPC3X2C_ew/s320/home+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283919542472227842" border="0" /></a><br />Hi folks from Scout, the king-sized Shiba Inu,<br /><br />Another year for me to tell you about the troubles my folks get into because they don't listen to me and seek my incredible wisdom. Mom and Dad went on only one trip this year in order to save money and spend more time with Max and me. And that was to a wonderful place called Bonaire which is a small island located next to Aruba and very close to South America. It is a flat island with cacti, below-ground caves, bluffs, mangroves and salt fields in the south. Bonaire is renowned for its dive spots with more shore diving than any other caribbean island. This is why Uncle Ken and Aunt Trish own a place on it. If y'all are interested in a little house on the bay on this beautiful remote island, let mom know coz she's got the connections.<br /><br />For their troubles, Dad got urchin stingers in his foot and mom got cactus spines in hers. They hobbled around the island trying to enjoy themselves. They tried to learn to dive for real and this ended with mom sinking to the bottom repeatedly because her weights were too heavy and dad rising <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRAXU-Ix4I/AAAAAAAAAPE/TMvmoKk3b1g/s1600-h/claude.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRAXU-Ix4I/AAAAAAAAAPE/TMvmoKk3b1g/s320/claude.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283919032322934658" border="0" /></a>over and over to surface because his were too light. They saw many potcake dogs, donkeys, flamingos and iguanas but couldn't bring them home for me to scare and boss around due to customs law. The little house on the bay was near some "European style" beach that dad kept wanting to go to but mom put an end to that.<br /><br />Regarding my living quarters, Dad got the foyer bathroom done and boy is it beautiful… Crown molding up near the ceiling (and not on my head – why is that?), pale yellow walls and score, another toilet with nice cold water to drink out of if I get lucky. Dad also got me some slightly-used leather couches for the big living room. Max, the lazy beast, perches on top of them basting in the sun coming through the windows. I pop up my head only when I hear cars coming down the driveway. And….we got a wonderful new furnace which heats the house much better which I value greatly when I get shaved twice a year. This is due to my "horrible" fur adorning every surface. I think they should be happy with the gift I am trying to grace them with- a shiba rug!<br /><br />Health-wise for the humans, mom had one surgery that went well over the summer and I am glad to report she is feeling much better. Due to Michigan's poor economy, Dad had to take a job in Toronto during the week and only comes home on weekends. Because mom has a pretty good job and since the house is in the midst of remodeling/cannot be sold, relocation to Canada isn't possible. Hopefully, things will improve and dad will be back working in the Detroit area again. Grandpa tells mom that Detroit's economy has always been up and down like this and it will get better down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRAf1WR5sI/AAAAAAAAAPM/1cbUpMTcQnw/s1600-h/kristine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SVRAf1WR5sI/AAAAAAAAAPM/1cbUpMTcQnw/s320/kristine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283919178453083842" border="0" /></a> the potholed roads. The shiba inu puppycam fad (featured in Time magazine, Good Morning America, and other media outlets) this fall made me a VERY popular dog and everybody wants to know more about me. So why wouldn't someone want to buy a celebrity dog's house? Well, that's okay - it gives me more time to enjoy the deer, coyotes, foxes and rabbits that roam our yard. Better than Animal Planet channel any day! However, I am still mad at that pool that sits in the yard. I plunged it in its malevolent jaws twice this summer ruining my magnificent coat and swallowing the horrid water.<br /><br />Max wasn't so fortunate with his health this year. My buddy's getting to be an old man at almost 9 years old. He likes to chew on rawhides and steak bones for hours. He broke a tooth in half to clear below the jaw line. No one noticed until the chews and toys started getting a funny red color to them. No sooner than that was operated on, his bursitis started bothering him. It's one front leg and they now believe he keeps re-injuring an old shoulder injury every time he jumps off of high furniture to chase me around the house. He still doesn't get the fact that I'm the boss and I let him go on being delusional. With dad gone, he has also taken to trying to being alpha. A little tibbie spaniel alpha over a shiba, hahahaha…. Mom's trying; she withholds treats and toys and says the word "No" over and over. Trust me, I have been tuning that ridiculous word out for years myself.<br /><br />Well, I'll leave you with a few photos of your royal highness, his sidekick and the humans below and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!! Things can only go uphill from here and we are wishing good fortune to all our friends in Michigan as well as those that have left or live elsewhere!<br /><br />Much Love, Mom, Dad & us canines…..Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-60001644724561952732008-11-24T08:46:00.007-05:002008-11-24T09:14:32.203-05:0015 Minutes of Heaven on the Intarwebs...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SSq1ZU2NtGI/AAAAAAAAAOk/QP4GMYUuiao/s1600-h/puppies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272225760488043618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SSq1ZU2NtGI/AAAAAAAAAOk/QP4GMYUuiao/s320/puppies.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam</a><br /><br /><p>This popular shiba inu puppy cam has been the fad that swept across America during this Presidential election year... While these puppies are understandly as cute and witty as myself, a word of caution to all those who want one. Shiba Inus are not for everyone. They are very smart, intelligent, have a high prey drive (translate: run away at every opportunity), can be skittish, stubborn and are NOT lapdogs. </p><div></div><br /><br /><div>The shiba, just like our very own Scout has very selective hearing, especially when it comes to coming when called. Shiba puppies are the cutest little buggers you’ll ever see, but they can be a handful to raise and train. They learn how to push all your buttons, and then look at you with that cute innocent little face.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SSq2PrPRg1I/AAAAAAAAAO0/KoewMVzR26I/s1600-h/shibas1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272226694211666770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SSq2PrPRg1I/AAAAAAAAAO0/KoewMVzR26I/s320/shibas1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There is a very real worry among shiba owners (rightfully so) that many families will rush out to get one totally unprepared and weeks later the poor shiba will end up in shelters or as roadkill after another escape. We would like to have educated and informed buyers who eschew puppy mills in favor of responsible breeders or shiba rescues. You can find one by going to this website: <a href="http://www.shibaweb.com/">http://www.shibaweb.com/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Now for more about those popular little rascals!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Fast Facts</strong><br />The litter consists of three males, three females<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-time-0">1</a><br />Names are Autumn, Ayumi, Amaya, Aki, Akoni, Ando<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-time-0">1</a><br />Born: October 7, 2008<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-time-0">1</a><br />Live somewhere in California<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-time-0">1</a><br />AKC recognized the Shiba Inu breed in 1992<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-akc-1">2</a><br />Official size varies between 13.5-16.5 inches at the shoulder<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-akc-1">2</a><br />Weight: 17-23 pounds<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-akc-1">2</a><br />Requires <a title="Dog Obedience Training" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Dog_Obedience_Training">obedience training</a> and regular brushing<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-akc-1">2</a><br />There are about 40 Shiba Inu breeders in the United States registered with the National Shiba Club of America<a title="" href="http://www.mahalo.com/Shiba_Inu_Puppy_Cam#guide_note-nsca-2">3</a> </div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-75359667337813381222008-07-29T18:46:00.000-04:002008-07-29T18:47:25.460-04:00drama queen shibas....I just have to get something off my chest. Why do i now have to pour water into a glass and tilt it for Scout to drink when Max can drink out of a dog bowl like a normal dog? yes, i added ice cubes to the bowl and it didn't do the trick. Got to be in a glass. I blame McDonald's water pit stops. <br /><br />He has to sleep under the covers every couple of hours (crawls out when he gets hot). He has to circle in 10 different spots and change his mind when someone comes along or he hears something or.... it is so easy to interrupt him when he's got to go and it's got to be the perfect setting/mood. <br /><br />Yesterday, he got stung by a bee (he's not allergic) and held his paw up whining and limping for a couple of hours and licking it. It didn't swell up. His breathing and tongue were normal, etc. This morning he was fine and forgot all about it...<br /><br />Tell me do i have a drag queen shiba (those who know he's large will get the reference, ha) or is he just normal??<br /><br />any other idiosyncracies out there?Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-23277898444410992482008-07-12T20:20:00.004-04:002008-07-12T20:28:25.494-04:00I love to "swim"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SHlKnRttDFI/AAAAAAAAALI/cbGLM4z-amw/s1600-h/Picture+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SHlKnRttDFI/AAAAAAAAALI/cbGLM4z-amw/s320/Picture+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222287281543253074" border="0" /></a>I am an air swimmer who loves to run around pool and bite at the waves emanating from it.... Don't believe me, look to the right here:<br /><br />and below here:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SHlKzVqY1CI/AAAAAAAAALQ/eZpsFn_QhUE/s1600-h/Picture+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SHlKzVqY1CI/AAAAAAAAALQ/eZpsFn_QhUE/s320/Picture+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222287488761517090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Why there's even a video of me that can be seen too -<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-QCNWhrCSkCbYmmPp9LVjXsyg2YqeN6EYM_vNPc9VddI24qwxuLEltb0p1ar527XcdzwhTN3QnRR9MWWoTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-29880683303990503252008-06-29T12:34:00.006-04:002008-06-29T12:42:06.785-04:00I can haz cheeseburger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe5vdJcnPI/AAAAAAAAAKo/u6TY-etxpLA/s1600-h/max.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe5vdJcnPI/AAAAAAAAAKo/u6TY-etxpLA/s320/max.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217342918261251314" border="0" /></a>For those that don't know, my mom is deaf. I have such big ears and along with Scout, I keep my ears/eyes open for her as a watchdog. <br />Mom made these pictures on the website<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe6dzjkFkI/AAAAAAAAAKw/TPpa-SBnKTc/s1600-h/ichc_logo_120_home.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 104px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe6dzjkFkI/AAAAAAAAAKw/TPpa-SBnKTc/s320/ichc_logo_120_home.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217343714550355522" border="0" /></a> called icanhascheeseburger.com<br />They have funny stuff to see every day. Check it out!<br /><br /><br />And here's Scout to the right: <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe7GuWo2-I/AAAAAAAAALA/zy1i7MBdjPY/s1600-h/scout.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 220px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/SGe7GuWo2-I/AAAAAAAAALA/zy1i7MBdjPY/s320/scout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217344417528601570" border="0" /></a>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-1673820654266229422008-02-15T11:41:00.007-05:002008-02-29T22:08:01.192-05:00How to train your human.....Everybody has seen the T-shirt for SHIBA INU - Professional Human Trainer, right?<br />You can get them on Ebay or Amazon...<br /><br />The rules go like (parentheses are mine):<br /><br /><ul><li>Fetch me a treat (no, not that one... not that one either....) </li><li>Rub my belly (ahhhhh, okay that's enough - now get away from me)</li><li>Pick up my poop (after i've deemed the spot worthy enough for it)</li><li>Wipe my feet (owwww, the snow/ice too's cold, hurry!)</li><li>Speak baby talk (while I look at you like you are a moron)</li><li>Throw the ball (and come get it from me)</li><li>Don't hog the bed (I must have 3/4 of it minimum)</li><li>Give me a kiss (on my ass preferably)</li><li>Buy me a toy (and it must make the loudest possible noise)</li><li>Fetch me a treat (again... and make it human food please)</li></ul><p>Any you might like to add?</p><p>While we're at it, the <a href="http://redshasta.blogspot.com/">Misanthropic Shiba website</a> has some good rules that need to told to yours.</p><p>Things every Shiba should be informed of:</p><p>1. Nothing in life is free. </p><p>2. Children are living hot dog dispensers provided that you sit quietly.</p><p>3. Vets are actually kind people who dispense cheese (most veterinarians encourage you to bring your dog around for random treats so that they associate the vet's office with cheddar rather than shots).</p><p>4. Your food/toys/leash/collar/brushes are not your property and you will not treat them as such.</p><p>5. Your nails will be clipped. Your ears will be cleaned. Your fur and teeth will be brushed. You will sit/stand/lie quietly and not bite the brush or the hand that wields it. This is not negotiable. You may pout.</p><p>6. At no time will you ever growl/snarl/snap/bite at your owner or any person who is put in charge of you.</p><p>7. Lunging and trying to kill other animals upon sighting them is not in your best interests.</p><p></p>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-57814587175003346322008-02-13T13:35:00.004-05:002008-02-13T13:59:36.204-05:00Why shibas should be considered wonderful.....<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/angelhead/Dogs/Maxster_1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" height="224" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/angelhead/Dogs/Maxster_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>See that face right next to this entry?? Yes, it's my stinky sibling who pooped 4 times since yesterday's walk and 2 of those times were in the house. Sigh... Will suffering never cease? I don't know if he's got the flu or what? This is why I told my mom that I should be an only DOG in this household. Why I hold my bodily wastes until mom has taken me for a bone-chillingly long enough walk (so that she doesn't trick me and turn for home as soon as I find the perfect resting spot for my excrement). <div></div><div>In other news: what breed would you expect this dog to be in the following link? </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080212p2a00m0na014000c.html">http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080212p2a00m0na014000c.html</a></div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>and just for reaffirmation of my prowess, here I am yodeling my heart out!</div><div></div><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WGg_q78n9xU&rel=" width="425" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-62147672598793051712008-02-11T14:14:00.000-05:002008-02-11T14:21:11.026-05:00How to be treated like Japanese royalty...or not!I'm so jealous of Yoshi and Tsuki! Look what they got! Bento boxes... I'm a japanese dog too yet I get no bento boxes. Pout... Go to their blog at <a href="http://www.illovich.com/yoshi/">http://www.illovich.com/yoshi/</a> and read how to do it for your lucky dog! Now excuse me while I go find a new home to lay my weary head down....<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R7CerzUwpNI/AAAAAAAAAJg/d7XtOlEp4og/s1600-h/bento.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165803247942804690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R7CerzUwpNI/AAAAAAAAAJg/d7XtOlEp4og/s320/bento.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-16616357353677314582008-01-02T13:57:00.000-05:002008-01-02T14:09:10.328-05:002008 is here for dogs everywhere!!Happy New Year's everyone from Scout & Max!! This is Scout and I want to show you what Max does to every bed in this house when he's happy to be around everyone on Christmas vacation. You will observe what a perfect gentleman I am, eh? <br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ByZzCMLGKkQ" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-52994202558808705262007-12-19T18:51:00.000-05:002007-12-19T18:58:52.750-05:00Good Holiday Gift for shiba lovers!!Hi everyone!<br /><br />Seasons' Greeting! Are you being sure to stock up on lots of rawhide, snausage stuffers, begging strips, canned dog food and yummy people food for your special companion??? I sure hope so cuz otherwise i'll come and howl at your door. I can run fast and far enough to find my shiba buddies' homes. Remember Kaos? She's now living at the Jersey Seashore and is a very, very happy spoiled doggy :><br /><br />Her mom made these and you absolutely must buy one of the these or I'll do my patented shiba scream right into your ear:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nycshibarescue.org/shop/images/nycsr-calendar-preview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 122px;" src="http://nycshibarescue.org/shop/images/nycsr-calendar-preview.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The link to do so is <a href="http://nycshibarescue.org/shop/">here</a>:Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-81279246346024789842007-12-19T16:56:00.001-05:002011-06-03T21:18:44.752-04:00My Xmas Newsletter 2007<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Arrrrooooo, it’s me, Scout – the better half of the Thorniley Dogs (never mind Max)!<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>2007 has been an exciting year for us! <span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span>Mom and Dad have been so busy that I’m quite sure they have not fulfilled their quota of long walks, table scraps, keeping Max, away from me and most of all what every mighty shiba wants: attention!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Dad has been doing his standard construction around the house.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>This keeps me on edge from marauding drywall dust and screeching noises from the garage.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>They finished the most important room in the house for me <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/angelhead/219101633-M.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>and that was food central, a kitchen with a large island and some skylights for my tanning pleasure.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>My friends and I enjoy gathering in the kitchen and this includes my newest canine friend, Zoha.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>She belongs to our neighbors, Tom and Kasia, from <st1:country-region><st1:place>Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> and she only understands polish.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>I don’t usually like other dogs but Max and Zoha are okay unlike those monsters in my neighborhood, the two St. Bernard’s, nothing saintly about them! They dared to attack me and Zoha, frightening her for a while but I was okay.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">What’s that?<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Did mom and dad abandon us to go gallivant around the world?<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Why yes, of course… They went snowmobiling in our ‘great’ state of <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> and for the first time, the trails were covered with snow, not mud!<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>They had to go a long way to find snow, somewhere past a bridge called Mighty Mac in a place called Muninsing.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>And what did they get for the long journey?<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>While snowmobiling they ran out of gas, not once but twice.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>The first time, dad had to siphon gas out of his friend’s machine using his mouth.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>And poor mom, she almost made it to a gas station. At least she didn’t crash into any icy lakes or snow drifts like past years!<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>I keep them telling them Max & I are good luck charms and they need to take us along.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Somehow, I don’t think the Holiday Inn agrees.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Next they went south to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> with those crazy friends of dad’s.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>They rode chicken buses with the locals late at night from Playa del Carmen and took a moped around <st1:place><st1:placename>Cozumel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>While in <st1:place>Cozumel</st1:place>, Dad fulfilled his lifelong dream of snorkeling with the Miss Universe contestants there for a pageant.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Mom beat him by getting to talk to them in the buff in the changing room.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>They 4-wheeled through sandy jungles and mom zip-lined backwards over a lake with alligators chomping at the air below her (the poor men who had to catch her when she crashed at the other side). Dad rappelled down a cliff while mom cried in fear until she was finally thrown off, on a rope of course.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>And did they bring us any <st1:state><st1:place>Taco Bell Chihuahuas</st1:place></st1:state> to eat, you ask?<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Nope….<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Then they took an October trip to <st1:city><st1:place>London</st1:place></st1:city> & <st1:city><st1:place>Paris</st1:place></st1:city> with Grandpa including a chunnel train ride.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>They saw some ancient roman ruins in a town called <st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span><st1:city><st1:place>Bath</st1:place></st1:city>, boy am I ever glad I didn’t make that trip…<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>In Paris, they went to some little man - <span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span>Napoleon’s resting place, a WWII museum, the train station with impressionist paintings, the Versailles palace and the Eiffel tower that’s everywhere in our house on walls.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>I’m not sure why they want such an eye-full.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Grandpa was happy to see <st1:city><st1:place>Paris</st1:place></st1:city> for the first time but he was awfully tired afterwards.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Max & I were just happy to have them home again but did enjoy walks 3x a day with our favorite cousin, Lynn. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Dad finished the dining & laundry rooms this fall complete with a gas fireplace and old-time hanging oil lamp.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>We hosted a nice thanksgiving dinner in a room big enough to allow me and Max to hang out under the table and still be able to dive for falling turkey parts.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span> We enjoyed our dog walks too by running after rabbits.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Max got hit by skunk spray a few times when he went to scrap with them.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>We learned what coyotes, Canadian geese, deer and groundhogs are and why we are kept locked inside from them.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>I fell in the pool a few times too many and refuse to sun on the pool deck anymore.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Time to go make Mom walk me now! Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours!<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Ho, ho, ho arrrrroooo….<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span>Yours Truly, Scout.<span style="font-size: 0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 100%;"></span><span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 0pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-60126671146351321712007-10-15T15:16:00.001-04:002008-01-02T15:18:00.212-05:00Happy Halloween everyone!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vxOJvuc-I/AAAAAAAAAIY/MkvrtyfVzy8/s1600-h/halloween.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150975824264852450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vxOJvuc-I/AAAAAAAAAIY/MkvrtyfVzy8/s320/halloween.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thank God mom doesn't make us dress up!Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-24187083318069675702007-10-10T15:04:00.000-04:002008-01-02T15:13:49.363-05:00Kaos in her new life<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vwXZvuc9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cDULy2uBsjs/s1600-h/kaos-beach1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150974883667014610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vwXZvuc9I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/cDULy2uBsjs/s320/kaos-beach1.jpg" border="0" /></a>We wanted to post some pictures of Kaos with her new mom and dad, Rick and Colleen.... Erin couldn't keep Kaos for various reasons so she went to live at the New Jersey seashore with this wonderful couple. This girl has really been on one journey and hopefully this is her last, happiest home!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vvlJvuc6I/AAAAAAAAAH4/wOR3bhDNdHI/s1600-h/kaos-colleen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150974020378588066" style="CURSOR: hand" height="174" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vvlJvuc6I/AAAAAAAAAH4/wOR3bhDNdHI/s320/kaos-colleen.jpg" width="232" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vvzZvuc7I/AAAAAAAAAIA/q8j4eNvvSTs/s1600-h/kaos-rick.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150974265191723954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" height="128" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/R3vvzZvuc7I/AAAAAAAAAIA/q8j4eNvvSTs/s320/kaos-rick.jpg" width="252" border="0" /></a></div>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6103882702211026073.post-73763763612547374112007-08-19T15:10:00.001-04:002007-12-18T20:46:48.595-05:00Kaos goes home!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiVvK_qrYI/AAAAAAAAADc/jSAZE0uaUNk/s1600-h/fromerin3-tn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 198px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiVvK_qrYI/AAAAAAAAADc/jSAZE0uaUNk/s320/fromerin3-tn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100491215634869634" border="0" /></a>We have great news!!! Our buddy Kaos that we wrote about earlier has a new home in New Jersey with Erin... Yahoo! Kaos had been at the boarding kennel in Pennsylvania since early May 2007 and was getting worried that no one wanted her. We are so happy that Erin saw her online and applied to be her new mom. <br /><br /><br />What a cross-country adventure it's been for this traveling girl. She's been in NYC, Miami, Orlando, Pennsylvania and now New Jersey all in less than a year! Special thanks and kisses to all those who helped along the way, you know who you are. Here's some more pictures of her of her settling in.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiWga_qrZI/AAAAAAAAADk/HfFTRa9lVtY/s1600-h/fromerin2-tn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 208px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiWga_qrZI/AAAAAAAAADk/HfFTRa9lVtY/s320/fromerin2-tn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100492061743426962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiWo6_qraI/AAAAAAAAADs/9E7PmyK1_S0/s1600-h/fromerin1-tn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 209px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jz4wRXdo1nQ/RsiWo6_qraI/AAAAAAAAADs/9E7PmyK1_S0/s320/fromerin1-tn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100492207772315042" border="0" /></a>Scout plus Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05180426513618401409noreply@blogger.com1