Kuma got a few bumps on his skin, with some crust on them, so Nat and my Dad took him to the vet. Apparently it is Autumn allergies. He got 2 shots for it and we''l go back in a week or so.
Now, Nat told me he jumped a Terrier with no apparent provocation other that some enthusiasm on the approach. I guess Kuma's either growing into his "Akitaness" or maybe he's frustrated about being itchy and his threshold is lower than normal, or he's tired of getting jumped by other dogs. He has these reactions way more when he's with Nat than with me (there was something with a Bernese this weekend, while I was in Amsterdam), so maybe he thinks she needs more protection than I do.
If she is less confident with him than you are he may sense that and feel he needs to take charge of the situation. Both my dogs act very differently when Jay walks them, and even more different when one of my friends walk them. Typically displays are insecurity of some kind. SO I would bet he just feels less secure with Nat than he does with you. Nat is quite small isn't she? And you are pretty big.
Ditto on what Jessica said. If you are small, like I am, then you need to exude confidence. I learned that with my old dog who wanted to protect me from everything. I think it started when he was about 1.
Ofcourse, dry itchy irritated rashy skin would put me in a "don't touch me" funk. It's funny cause I only know Kuma from pics, but he's soooooo beautiful that he can do no wrong in my book.
Nat isn't small, she's 5'10". I agree that she might not be as confident as me with Kuma and he might pick up on that.
The itchy skin theory seems logical, and during the weekend he was probably feeling like that already, but who knows? With the dogs he has known all his life (as well as the people) he's fine with. Well, he's known that Bernese all his life, although they have met about 4 or 5 times before this weekend.
Today we took Kuma out for a hike to the mountains of Sintra, close to Lisbon and then, on the way back, we stopped at the beach. Kuma's first time on a beach. Now that his skeleton is fully formed, trips to the beach will be a good way to beef up a bit. Some spam follows...
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Today we took him to the park and snapped a few photos of him.
After a "Kuma, come!"
Artsy fartsy Kuma photo
"Beer please!"
Now, Nat told me he jumped a Terrier with no apparent provocation other that some enthusiasm on the approach. I guess Kuma's either growing into his "Akitaness" or maybe he's frustrated about being itchy and his threshold is lower than normal, or he's tired of getting jumped by other dogs.
He has these reactions way more when he's with Nat than with me (there was something with a Bernese this weekend, while I was in Amsterdam), so maybe he thinks she needs more protection than I do.
Any opinions on this?
That is just my guess from across the Atlantic.
And I agree with Jessica... If Nat is a little less confident with him, Kuma may be over compensating for that by being over protective.
Ofcourse, dry itchy irritated rashy skin would put me in a "don't touch me" funk. It's funny cause I only know Kuma from pics, but he's soooooo beautiful that he can do no wrong in my book.
The itchy skin theory seems logical, and during the weekend he was probably feeling like that already, but who knows? With the dogs he has known all his life (as well as the people) he's fine with. Well, he's known that Bernese all his life, although they have met about 4 or 5 times before this weekend.
Last weekend we went to Alentejo, to go olive picking. There wasn't much of that to do, so it was pretty much just a day in the country, relaxing.
Here are some photos of Kuma doing just that.
Kuma and his mom sunbathing
This can't seriously be comfortable...
On an off note, It's really crazy how much your photography keeps improving Rui!
Kuma is a handsome guy. He looks very adult now, and his coat is really nice. I like his mane area.
(as usual, I can't get over how bright and clean your house is. Look at that floor! even the bookshelf is reflecting the spines of the books...)
He looks great! Love that last pic, reminds me of Masha.
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And thanks Osy! I don't know if I agree with you, but thank you.
Chrystal, did you not notice the tuft of fur on the floor of the last pic...It's a pigsty. ;P
Even the light is nicer at Rui's house.
Kuma is beautiful, and he looks so comfortable and kind. I just wanna scruff up his ruff, so deep and thick...if he likes that kind of thing...
Sorry - off topic.
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Some spam follows...
After some sand sniffing
I notice that Kuma's siza is just perfect, not too bulky, not too slime.
It's really a treat seeing Kuma grow from a puppy to a handsome adult now.