# A Chicago Souvenir Hello! Thought I'd go into more detail about my Chicago trip! The main reason to make the 7-hr drive was to introduce Chloe to Lauren (potential adopter). However, we had an addition to our plan! Monday night, Chloe and Ryu sensed something was up and kept us awake by switching places all night. We… ## Thread In Photo / Video Gallery (Shiba Inu) · started by Ryu · 39 replies - **Category:** [Photo / Video Gallery (Shiba Inu)](https://nihonken.org/community/c/photo-video-gallery-shiba-inu) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T20:34:20.000Z Hello! Thought I'd go into more detail about my Chicago trip! The main reason to make the 7-hr drive was to introduce Chloe to Lauren (potential adopter). However, we had an addition to our plan! Monday night, Chloe and Ryu sensed something was up and kept us awake by switching places all night. We all got about 4 hours of sleep. Tuesday morning, Chloe and I set out on the road with a stop-over in St. Louis for a tune-up. By 2, we were back on the road with our sights set on Chicago! By 5, we managed to creep into Springfield, IL through freezing rain and a clouded windshield. Remembering what Dave said about stopping for the night if it got too overwhelming, Chloe and I set up camp at the Holiday Inn. Tuesday night, Chloe was freaked out because she was in a new place and lots of slamming doors kept us up all night. She wanted to investigate every noise and insisted I join her. We got about 3 hours of sleep. By dawn, the freezing rain was gone and a beautiful snowy day awaited us. We set out at 9 and arrived in Chicago by 1. Since Lauren was busy until 2, we got to take a small walk through some snow and stretch our legs. When we met Lauren, it was perfection! Chloe was shy at first but by the time we left, she let Lauren massage her and even jumped up on *her* couch! Next on our list of places was another SIRA volunteer's house where Chloe would stay the night. Since Lauren wouldn't get off work the next day (today) until the afternoon, I couldn't stay in Chicago and hold Chloe that late and still make it to MO before dark. So, this volunteer would hold Chloe until Lauren (1) verified that she still wanted to adopt her today and (2) could pick her up. So, this visit was a little trickier. The volunteer has two shibas of her own so we had to do a quickie introduction and then I had to quietly sneak off without Chloe noticing. Which was TOUGH because I just wanted to bury my face into her fur and whisper how much I was going to miss her. I finally leave and manage to find my way to the hotel by 6. Now, here's where the main objective ends (on a wonderful note!) and the second objective comes into play! SIRA is getting a couple more mill releases this weekend and they are in DIRE need of foster homes. I mentioned before that Tim and I applied to adopt a black and tan puppy when we applied to foster. When we got Chloe, our adoption plan was put on hold until we were sure Chloe was in her forever home. SIRA managed to hold a B&T puppy named Sango that was promised to us. However, Sango was being fostered in FL and would be traveling up to IL for the holidays. We knew we couldn't take 3 dogs down to S.C. so we thought we would swing by IL and pick up the puppy after the holidays since Chloe would be coming with us to S.C. However, since she found her home so quickly and I was in the area, SIRA and I decided that I would bring the puppy back with me today. Which was a great plan and worked out perfectly...HOWEVER...I was so focused on Chloe and how she would deal with such a big change that this puppy plan kind of fell on the back burner in my mind. That is, until I arrived at the hotel and realized that in a couple of hours, I'd be back to teething, mouthing, house-breaking, the works. EXCITED but completely unprepared. So, SIRA (Beth and Aimee) came by the hotel with Sango, Sume, and Riko. Wow, is she pure Shiba puppy or what! We ended up chatting for a few hours so Sango and I didn't really get ready for bed until midnight. Little did I know that she had NO intentions of falling asleep last night. She was so freaked out that we stayed up all night. Literally all night. 0 hours of sleep. This morning, I'm driving 7 hours straight on 7 hours of sleep in the last 3 days. Not to mention, the little shit fell asleep within the first 10 minutes of our ride and slept the entire 7 hours! Thankfully, I was so wired with nervous energy about this tiny little puppy that I wasn't tired at all while driving. Once we got home and she's safe in Tim's arms, I'm a zombie. Throughout the drive, I went through a whirlwind of what-ifs. What if I'm rushing this? What if Ryu doesn't want Sango and just wants Chloe? What if I got used to Chloe's "easiness" and this puppy makes me want to scream? But 7 hours later, I'm convinced that we did the right thing for our family and for Ryu. He needs the playfulness in this puppy. He needs to be knocked around a bit :) And he needs to be preoccupied after living with another dog for the past month. And to be honest, bringing in Sango so quickly may not be the ideal situation but it made the most sense logistically. And even though it may be harder to deal with all these changes at one time, I know that we can do it. And I'm excited more than scared now. :) On to the spam! From Sango From Sango From Sango From Sango ## Calia · 2008-12-18T20:46:20.000Z what a sweetie, congratulations ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-12-18T20:48:25.000Z She's so cute! I'm very curious to see how she gets along with Ryu. ## the_november_rain · 2008-12-18T21:11:24.000Z aww, Pam, you lucky girl! Sango is cute! ## lymura · 2008-12-18T21:19:27.000Z Awww! Sango is a cutie! Congratulations! Sounds like an amazing and worthwhile journey (if not exhausting). ## CrimsonO2 · 2008-12-18T21:36:24.000Z I love, love, love, that 3rd pic. She's giving you her Barbara-Streisand-this-is-my-good-side look. She looks cautious now, but I look forward to seeing her come out of her shell this holiday seasoon. Congrats to you and Tim! Jesse ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T21:41:23.000Z Thanks! I should mention that we are technically fostering her. If she and Ryu hit it off, we'll adopt her. If it just wasn't meant to be, we'll foster her until her perfect family comes along. ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-12-18T21:58:38.000Z Good luck with Sango and Ryu. Beth and Aimee can be chatty, but they are very nice. How many Shibas do they have at their place now, like 10? ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T22:04:05.000Z 10 or 12. That's why I took Sango, they need to make room for the ones being released this weekend... I cannot imagine... And yes, they are super nice! ## _dlroberts · 2008-12-18T22:17:31.000Z Wow Pam. Just wow. I'm glad you're home safe. What an adventure! I'm happy for Chloe, and excited for Sango, and excited for you, Tim, and Ryu! I can't wait to meet her if/when you guys pass through Atlanta. ## MommyofNiko · 2008-12-18T22:27:42.000Z I LOVE the third pic also...she is saying "you have NO idea what you just got yourself into". LOL Ditto what Dave said! Im so excited to meet you all. ## KFontaine04 · 2008-12-18T22:27:49.000Z Pam, I got tears! What a great story, for Chloe, Lauren, You, Tim, Ryu and now Sango! Im excited for Sango Ryu spam... ## sunyata · 2008-12-18T22:48:39.000Z DUDE! It is like a fairy tale. :-D I hope things go well with Sango and Ryu. And I hope Ms. Chloe is enjoying her new home tonight!!!! Good luck, and please... More spam! ## sunyata · 2008-12-18T22:50:03.000Z OH!!! And hey... did anyone else notice the newest addition to the Nihon Ken forum??? (Chloe08) Is that Chloe's new mom???????? :-D ## KFontaine04 · 2008-12-18T23:20:38.000Z I did see that Casey! Cant wait for Chloe spam if it is her! ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T23:38:26.000Z Yep! That's her! I can't wait to hear how Chloe's doing as well. When I spoke to her last, she was driving Chloe to her new home and she was already sleeping in the car :D She's going to be living in WI soon so I told her that when I can convince Brandon to do a family photo shoot for us, we'll swing by and visit them :) ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-12-18T23:42:56.000Z Of course I would, could I use your fancy new camera to take it? Where are they going to be living in Wisconsin? ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T23:48:18.000Z Oh and here's some road trip spam :) From Sango From Sango From Sango ## Ryu · 2008-12-18T23:50:21.000Z Brandon - I'm going to reserve my spot for next summer :) My hair will be long again hehe And yes, please put my camera to good use!!! For once, it will be switched from auto LOL I think she said between Madison and...other town LOL I have the worst memory! ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-12-18T23:58:57.000Z she looks like the spitting image of Ryu's gal pal in HI! How cute is THAT?!?!? :)) Glad it all worked out, I can't wait to hear from Chloe's new people and to hear how Ryu and Sango do! What does Sango mean? Will you be keeping that name? Good luck! Puppies! Crazy! ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:06:07.000Z YAYY!!!!! SO cute! :D I want a souvenir like that :p Glad to hear everything went so well :) ~ ## Ryu · 2008-12-19T00:11:32.000Z We're changing the name but we have no idea what to.... here are our ideas so far Kala - we wanted to name a dog this before we even had Ryu.... but she doesn't really feel like a Kala Nala - this is what I wanted to name our daughter after we got Ryu... but Nala seems too mellow for her Maki - I really like this one but Tim's not a fan Roxy - we both think she looks like a Roxy but I hate that everyone who lived in Hawaii (military) always names their dog Roxy.... Nami - we both like this one... have to try it out a few times Kaya - Tim's partial to this one but I would think of Kaia every time! lol And we're up for suggestions! ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:16:29.000Z Nami is one of my favorite girl names! ## MommyofNiko · 2008-12-19T00:17:01.000Z I like Nami and Maki. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:22:45.000Z i was trying to figure out where I heard Maki before... my favorite ebay seller was called MakiMaki - lovers of sushi and vintage. LOL! good name! ## Ryu · 2008-12-19T00:25:50.000Z even funnier is that Ryu means dragon and my favorite sushi roll is the Dragon Maki! lol ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:28:06.000Z - Kiwa [ borderline ] - Tora [ tiger ] - Ume [ Plum Blossom ] - Sakura [ Cherry Blossom ] - Mai [ elegance ] - Tama [ jewel ] - Mori [ forest ] - Nami [ wave ] - Kinu [ silk ] - Riku [ land ] - Tori [ bird ] - Aki [ born in autumn ] - Hana [ flower ] - Mura [ village ] - Suki [ love ] That's all I can think of :o ~ ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:28:35.000Z Oh! You said Nami already :x Sorry. ~ ## ljowen123 (moderator) · 2008-12-19T00:29:15.000Z It was all I could do to not spill the beans about Sango! I was dying to post! ## the_november_rain · 2008-12-19T00:35:55.000Z lol, you did good LJ! I like Suki. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)