Bijozakura's Arrival [photos added 10/11]
Facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.491870924158440.118996.146876475324555&type=1
Video: http://nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/149183/#Comment_149183
Bijo arrived safe and sound. There were no problems with the flight. However, my aunt who was meeting us at the airport lost her breaks on the freeway. Fortunately she was already in the right hand lane, and was able to pull over to the shoulder and coast to a stop. Her car was towed to a shop near my parents' house. They walked to my parents' house (they're out of town right now) and borrowed my dad's truck to get to the airport
Since we had to wait for them a little while, we took Bijo out of her crate at a doggy potty area between the Bradley Int'l Terminal and Terminal 4. It was actually quite a cute little green space and a very nice convenience. Bijo got to stretch her legs and I got to meet her finally! I was so relieved that she calmly came out of her crate and did her business. She wasn't interested in us -- but then, with so much going on, I'm not surprised. I was glad she wasn't terrified or snarly at all. When my aunt finally arrived, she went back in her crate without any coaxing or coercion.
Then we met up at my parents' house to figure out plans. We let Bijo run loose in their backyard while we took Ai out to lunch. Bijo was happy to have a bowl of food and water, and did her business again. She was good for me on the leash, and didn't mind my little 8-year-old cousin petting her. He's very polite with dogs, but I didn't know how she would be with kids; apparently just fine! He even gave her a gentle hug with permission.
After lunch I found her waiting at the back door for me. She didn't seem so dazed and jetlagged anymore. Now she was interested in me for once. As soon as I picked up the leash she got excited and pawed at the door -- she knew it meant its time to go! She willingly gave me eye contact a few times but never seemed challenging or stubborn. She walked nicely with me out to the truck and cooperated being put back in her crate.
On our way home we decided to stop at PetSmart and Walmart for a few things we forgot. Bijo needed her own pretty collar, nametag, and toys, plus a comforter for her crate. Since she was being so good so far, I thought she wouldn't have a problem with it -- and she didn't. She met lots of people who asked to pet her, saw some cats and yappy dogs, had treats and toys tempting her.
The only thing that gave her pause was linoleum. She couldn't get any traction on the floor and a few steps into the store fell down with her legs splayed out and wouldn't move. So instead we went outside and got a cart and I carefully lifted her into it. She was tolerant and even helpful once she figured out what I was trying to do she stepped inside and sat down.
I rolled her around the store, during which she received lots of praise and pets and was very well behaved. She looked at some cats, who looked back at her. She was disinterested in the birds and fish. We paused by the doggy daycare to see the little dogs. She wasn't interested in them, either, until a yappy obnoxious terrier got on her nerves and she started talking back. Even that didn't seem vicious or aggressive, just a "shut up already!" vocalization. She met a few more polite children who I didn't let pet her, but she didn't seem bothered by them. Overall she was mellow, calm, and alert. She was content to sit in the cart, and tolerant of the weird things I made her do. We put her new collar on her and walked back out to the truck where she got back into the crate without issue.
When we got home, she accidentally came face-to-face with my cat Ghost at the front door who really wanted outside. He was more interested in her than she in him. I nudged him out of the way with my foot, admonishing the cat for going up to strange dogs who might like to eat cats for dinner. She had some trouble with our hardwood floors but not as bad as the linoleum. Once I got her into her room, we found some towels and mats to lay out on the floor for her. That seemed to make her happy. She drank some water, then laid down. I took a bunch of photos of her.
I sat up close in her personal space to inspect her thoroughly, and I could tell that made her a little uncomfortable. She licked my hands and foot and kept turning her face away from me. When I tried to place my hand on her belly to feel for puppies the first time, she nudged me out of the way and began cleaning her lady bits. The second time she made an unhappy noise, got up, and went to lie down inside her crate. I decided to leave her be. I've pushed her more than enough for one day and I'm sure she needs a little private time now.
However, overall I am very happy with her temperament and tollerence. Oh, one last cute thing - I got her four different types of toys at the store because I didn't know what she would like. I tossed them on the floor in her room. She went over and picked up each of them one at a time and put them in her bed. It seems I've got a hoarder!
Video: http://nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/149183/#Comment_149183
Bijo arrived safe and sound. There were no problems with the flight. However, my aunt who was meeting us at the airport lost her breaks on the freeway. Fortunately she was already in the right hand lane, and was able to pull over to the shoulder and coast to a stop. Her car was towed to a shop near my parents' house. They walked to my parents' house (they're out of town right now) and borrowed my dad's truck to get to the airport
Since we had to wait for them a little while, we took Bijo out of her crate at a doggy potty area between the Bradley Int'l Terminal and Terminal 4. It was actually quite a cute little green space and a very nice convenience. Bijo got to stretch her legs and I got to meet her finally! I was so relieved that she calmly came out of her crate and did her business. She wasn't interested in us -- but then, with so much going on, I'm not surprised. I was glad she wasn't terrified or snarly at all. When my aunt finally arrived, she went back in her crate without any coaxing or coercion.
Then we met up at my parents' house to figure out plans. We let Bijo run loose in their backyard while we took Ai out to lunch. Bijo was happy to have a bowl of food and water, and did her business again. She was good for me on the leash, and didn't mind my little 8-year-old cousin petting her. He's very polite with dogs, but I didn't know how she would be with kids; apparently just fine! He even gave her a gentle hug with permission.
After lunch I found her waiting at the back door for me. She didn't seem so dazed and jetlagged anymore. Now she was interested in me for once. As soon as I picked up the leash she got excited and pawed at the door -- she knew it meant its time to go! She willingly gave me eye contact a few times but never seemed challenging or stubborn. She walked nicely with me out to the truck and cooperated being put back in her crate.
On our way home we decided to stop at PetSmart and Walmart for a few things we forgot. Bijo needed her own pretty collar, nametag, and toys, plus a comforter for her crate. Since she was being so good so far, I thought she wouldn't have a problem with it -- and she didn't. She met lots of people who asked to pet her, saw some cats and yappy dogs, had treats and toys tempting her.
The only thing that gave her pause was linoleum. She couldn't get any traction on the floor and a few steps into the store fell down with her legs splayed out and wouldn't move. So instead we went outside and got a cart and I carefully lifted her into it. She was tolerant and even helpful once she figured out what I was trying to do she stepped inside and sat down.
I rolled her around the store, during which she received lots of praise and pets and was very well behaved. She looked at some cats, who looked back at her. She was disinterested in the birds and fish. We paused by the doggy daycare to see the little dogs. She wasn't interested in them, either, until a yappy obnoxious terrier got on her nerves and she started talking back. Even that didn't seem vicious or aggressive, just a "shut up already!" vocalization. She met a few more polite children who I didn't let pet her, but she didn't seem bothered by them. Overall she was mellow, calm, and alert. She was content to sit in the cart, and tolerant of the weird things I made her do. We put her new collar on her and walked back out to the truck where she got back into the crate without issue.
When we got home, she accidentally came face-to-face with my cat Ghost at the front door who really wanted outside. He was more interested in her than she in him. I nudged him out of the way with my foot, admonishing the cat for going up to strange dogs who might like to eat cats for dinner. She had some trouble with our hardwood floors but not as bad as the linoleum. Once I got her into her room, we found some towels and mats to lay out on the floor for her. That seemed to make her happy. She drank some water, then laid down. I took a bunch of photos of her.
I sat up close in her personal space to inspect her thoroughly, and I could tell that made her a little uncomfortable. She licked my hands and foot and kept turning her face away from me. When I tried to place my hand on her belly to feel for puppies the first time, she nudged me out of the way and began cleaning her lady bits. The second time she made an unhappy noise, got up, and went to lie down inside her crate. I decided to leave her be. I've pushed her more than enough for one day and I'm sure she needs a little private time now.
However, overall I am very happy with her temperament and tollerence. Oh, one last cute thing - I got her four different types of toys at the store because I didn't know what she would like. I tossed them on the floor in her room. She went over and picked up each of them one at a time and put them in her bed. It seems I've got a hoarder!
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My husband earned the first tail wag from her before we left for dinner with Ai and my aunt and uncle. When we got back, he took her out to potty and I gave her dinner -- probably the first time she has ever had canned food. She was very excited and enjoyed it. We followed it up with some extra kibble.
http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/147482/#Comment_147482
http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/7757/introducing-new-japan-imports-in-argentina
its time to get booties for our doggies :P
I was surprised she was shipped while pregnant though. I guess it's ok or you wouldn't have done it, but I didn't know that was common practice.
Speaking of which, we're expecting at least 4! I'll post ultrasound photos and planned litter announcement stuff tonight
Thanks for sharing the pics. Best part of my day is getting Kaiju Kennel updates!
So excited for the puppies now!
And LOL at the puppy smuggling. It's... at least better than my stepmom's story of smuggling a kitten across customs from Canada in a bag full of barbie dolls?
Yesterday most of the components for my puppy cam arrived. All I am waiting on now is my ZBOX so I can hook it all up. My EZ-Whelp came yesterday too.
http://www.ezwhelp.com/BuyWhelpingBoxes.htm
That sounds easy. It is neat to see everyone's mommadog setups lately, and all the puppies!
Best wishes, Bijo!
And this is Bijo checking it out.