My Kai Ken pupppy...Ginko! [spam]
So I was planning on waiting until he arrived today, but since I'm just sitting here...
I recently joined the forum, more just to read about Shiba Inu's than anything else. Well, before no time I was reading 4 month old Kai Ken posts, contacting breeders, and asking multiple random and seemingly obvious questions. And before too long I was hooked. 100%. A Kai Ken, and all there traits, strengths, and even inherent weaknesses. That was the dog I wanted, no matter how rare or difficult or how log it would take.
I knew I wanted a male, and since I had puppy fever I knew I wanted him this year. So I started looking around, contacting breeders (ok, pretty much all of them.) It was fascinating to hear stories of there dogs, and their experiences. I even put a deposit in with a breeder for a breeding that hadn't (and still hasn't) taken place yet!
Immediately I regretted my decision. I had red flags. Not about the breed, but about the situation. Was this the right breeder for me? I just didnt think so. My gut said RUN! But I didn't, because I'm in love with the Kai. So I ignored my gut, and stayed the course. The little guy would come home in June hopefully.
Fast forward to this week. I'm thinking names, talking about how anxious myself and my roommates are to just get him already! And bam, I get an e-mail from Brad & Jen. Now I had spoken to them several times, filled out a puppy application, and even had some dates for there future litters. And I felt like I could trust them. My favorite part was from e-mail #1; Jen said, "We would also do our best to choose a litter/puppy that would be best suited for your situation - some Kai can kind of be couch potatoes.
" But hey, now was now and I had the chance to get one earlier, in June. So yea, forget it.
Well this week, Brad e-mailed me in the midst of my inner turmoil and the subject line could not have been better, "Available Kai Ken puppy." After barely skimming the e-mail, I called Brad. Who is this dog? What is his situation? What is he like? And then I saw his picture...
His name is Ginko, he is 4 months old
That was yesterday. By 11 am this morning, he was on a flight to his new home in Virginia. And he still is. 2 hour delay in Phoenix, 3 hour flight to Chicago. And now a 5 hour delay in Chicago...I have slowly watched (in between pacing around my apartment) the flight to Norfolk get delayed from a 10:28 pm arrival all the way to 2:39 am. So worth it.
I still cannot believe this amazing opportunity presented itself. And am thankful Brad & Jen thought of me (even though they knew about my "other" breeder problem.) Now i just have to keep waiting...
I recently joined the forum, more just to read about Shiba Inu's than anything else. Well, before no time I was reading 4 month old Kai Ken posts, contacting breeders, and asking multiple random and seemingly obvious questions. And before too long I was hooked. 100%. A Kai Ken, and all there traits, strengths, and even inherent weaknesses. That was the dog I wanted, no matter how rare or difficult or how log it would take.
I knew I wanted a male, and since I had puppy fever I knew I wanted him this year. So I started looking around, contacting breeders (ok, pretty much all of them.) It was fascinating to hear stories of there dogs, and their experiences. I even put a deposit in with a breeder for a breeding that hadn't (and still hasn't) taken place yet!
Immediately I regretted my decision. I had red flags. Not about the breed, but about the situation. Was this the right breeder for me? I just didnt think so. My gut said RUN! But I didn't, because I'm in love with the Kai. So I ignored my gut, and stayed the course. The little guy would come home in June hopefully.
Fast forward to this week. I'm thinking names, talking about how anxious myself and my roommates are to just get him already! And bam, I get an e-mail from Brad & Jen. Now I had spoken to them several times, filled out a puppy application, and even had some dates for there future litters. And I felt like I could trust them. My favorite part was from e-mail #1; Jen said, "We would also do our best to choose a litter/puppy that would be best suited for your situation - some Kai can kind of be couch potatoes.
" But hey, now was now and I had the chance to get one earlier, in June. So yea, forget it.Well this week, Brad e-mailed me in the midst of my inner turmoil and the subject line could not have been better, "Available Kai Ken puppy." After barely skimming the e-mail, I called Brad. Who is this dog? What is his situation? What is he like? And then I saw his picture...
His name is Ginko, he is 4 months old
That was yesterday. By 11 am this morning, he was on a flight to his new home in Virginia. And he still is. 2 hour delay in Phoenix, 3 hour flight to Chicago. And now a 5 hour delay in Chicago...I have slowly watched (in between pacing around my apartment) the flight to Norfolk get delayed from a 10:28 pm arrival all the way to 2:39 am. So worth it.
I still cannot believe this amazing opportunity presented itself. And am thankful Brad & Jen thought of me (even though they knew about my "other" breeder problem.) Now i just have to keep waiting...
Comments
I really love him from pictures I seen.
I hope things go well for you be sure to take it easy not rush things if he is shy or scared.
And yes, just be patient with him--if you read through the threads, you'll see how sometimes it's been a slow adjustment for some of the Kai (though usually older than you're getting), so don't feel bad if it's not an instant adjustment. But I hope it will all go very smoothly!
Congrats!
He is the calmest dog ever. Has only barked one time; when someone walked into my bedroom unannounced. Slept in his crate both nights with no complaints, and has had no mistakes in the house.
He is insanely loyal. Even after less than 12 hours of having him he follows me everywhere I go. I leave a room, he quits playing and comes with me.
I will post a few pictures when I get to a computer.
So happy for you!
Feel free to shoot any questions my way, and I'll be happy to turn around and ask @WrylyBrindle for a good answer (lol, that's a joke...sort of). Seriously, between Brad and Jen, WrylyBrindle, and many others on this forum, you'll get great advice. That's definitely been my experience.