That's Inu - Shiba Inu - Updated 1/18
Ok, cue the James Bond theme music!
After finally getting a good night's sleep and joining my mother and I on our errands today rather that having to be in the crate, Tosca is back to her old self. That means trying new and ingenious methods of stealing my food. She's unbelievable. Today she tried jumping into my computer chair to get at a Fruit-a-Bu wrapper... and wound up spinning round and round. Undaunted, she silently crept to my rather large purse to see if I had been so naive as to leave a candy bar or pack of mints in there. I had not, but it was worth being underestimated to come out of my bedroom to find the back half of a shiba blooming out of my bag. Now that she knew I was on to her, none but the stealthiest of tactics would work. I had made an Italian chocolate bread yesterday and finally got around to having some with crème fraiche and raspberry jam. (yum) I had the plate in my hand, but had forgotten my coffee upstairs so my plate and I went up to get it. I have long since learned to never leave food unattended for more than about 4 seconds and even that's pushing it. When I returned, Tosca was nowhere to be found. "Oh well," I though, "I can eat in peace." Just as that thought floated lazily through my mind, I noticed there was something - actually someone - perched on the back of "Tosca's sofa". Tosca was crouched there waiting to thieve from the plate in my right hand; the hand which would've been closest to her. I'm right handed and tend to carry things in that hand. She's never gone up on the back of either sofa in the apartment before. Never took the slightest interest.
Those who are planning to own a shiba, when other websites mention things like "highly intelligent" or "great problem solvers" that is what they mean. Little shiba brains are powerful, now if only they would use that power for good. Owning one, for me, sometimes seems like an episode from Spy vs. Spy, only less deadly.
After finally getting a good night's sleep and joining my mother and I on our errands today rather that having to be in the crate, Tosca is back to her old self. That means trying new and ingenious methods of stealing my food. She's unbelievable. Today she tried jumping into my computer chair to get at a Fruit-a-Bu wrapper... and wound up spinning round and round. Undaunted, she silently crept to my rather large purse to see if I had been so naive as to leave a candy bar or pack of mints in there. I had not, but it was worth being underestimated to come out of my bedroom to find the back half of a shiba blooming out of my bag. Now that she knew I was on to her, none but the stealthiest of tactics would work. I had made an Italian chocolate bread yesterday and finally got around to having some with crème fraiche and raspberry jam. (yum) I had the plate in my hand, but had forgotten my coffee upstairs so my plate and I went up to get it. I have long since learned to never leave food unattended for more than about 4 seconds and even that's pushing it. When I returned, Tosca was nowhere to be found. "Oh well," I though, "I can eat in peace." Just as that thought floated lazily through my mind, I noticed there was something - actually someone - perched on the back of "Tosca's sofa". Tosca was crouched there waiting to thieve from the plate in my right hand; the hand which would've been closest to her. I'm right handed and tend to carry things in that hand. She's never gone up on the back of either sofa in the apartment before. Never took the slightest interest.
Those who are planning to own a shiba, when other websites mention things like "highly intelligent" or "great problem solvers" that is what they mean. Little shiba brains are powerful, now if only they would use that power for good. Owning one, for me, sometimes seems like an episode from Spy vs. Spy, only less deadly.
Comments
Shiba brains are insane... and by insane I mean fascinating... yeah, fascinating.
My pups are not so graceful about their stealing food. However, stealing dryer sheets... They do get quite stealthy about that.
You guys have some pretty sneaky Shibas. Mookie does this cute little "I'm guilty" trot when he steals something he knows he is not supposed to have. He likes to take things from the hamper. He drops it when we tell him to, but his sneaky little trot is so cute!
Since it was Christmas his evening dinner consisted of roast Beef, Ham and gravy with some carrots. Only once a year!!
Damn. Now I have to think of something else
The quest for human food continues. Since having a few slices of cheese, I've been under near-constant servailence. Cheese is a favorite of Tosca's. Many of you mentioned that your dogs have a love of dryer sheets. I've never seen Tosca get too excited over them, but I'll pay extra attention when I'm doing laundry in the next day or so.
Tonight Tosca got one over on me, but it might be bad news for her. She pulled an open package of pre-portioned chocolate chip cookie dough off the counter when I went to the fridge. I had my back turned for all of twenty seconds. It wasn't shredded and there were five untouched pieces of dough inside, but I can't remember if there had been five or six pieces in there before she got to it. I yelled "LEAVE IT!" and she put several feet between herself and the dough very quickly. She really doesn't like yelling and it upsets her even if it isn't directed at her and she'll act strange for a while until she's absolutely sure everything is ok and that everyone still loves her and each other. So now she's acting weird and I don't know if it's because she ate chocolate (12-15 mini chips and 1-2 regular chips per piece - I dissected two) or because of my squawking.
So now I wait. I believe chocolate causes palpitations and an increased heartbeat in dogs, I'm double-checking, and if I see any signs at all we're going to the emergency clinic. I'm checking whether or not there is one at Yale, deciding whether or not I want med students practicing on my darling baby, and getting the address for an emergency clinic I know is in a neighboring town. I've learned two things tonight: 1. I should have looked into ER vets before I was in a situation where I might need one (Stupid!), and 2. You can take a shiba's pulse at the wrist just like a person.
Wish us luck!
I know how you're feeling though. I go through this with Lucy any time she puts *anything* her mouth other than her kibble or treats.
And yes, having emergency contact information nearby is always a good thing. I have four numbers: 1) ASPCA poison control; 2) our regular vet; 3) the nearby emergency vet for life-threatening things; and 4) the slightly farther away, but MMMMUUUUUCCCCCHHHH better emergency vet for non-life threatening emergencies.