In Memory of Carla's daughter, Laura, who passed away on 8-13-2008

Rest in Peace

Hi my name is Kitsune (keet-soo-nay) but everybody calls me Kitsu.  I am a big dog in a small dog’s body.  In fact, my pictures can be quite deceiving. I weigh 20 pounds which is average weight for a male Shiba Inu, and in pictures many people think I am a large dog.  People are surprised when they go to a dog park and see a Shiba Inu and realize we are big dogs but in much smaller packages than they realized.

When my Mom and Dad adopted me they thought I looked like a little red fox, and Kitsune is the word for "red fox" in Japanese.  I am a Shiba Inu which is one of the oldest breeds originating in Japan.  Shiba Inus were used primarily for flushing small prey and even hunted wild boar.  Shibas are also known as the “barkless” dogs, however I am a great guard dog and always give a warning bark when someone comes to the door or is outside.  I am very protective of my family.  I also yodel occasionally.  Shiba Inus are known to be fastidiously clean and housetrain faster than many cats.  I get walked three times a day.  I am a snow dog with a double coat and am considered a Northern or Nordic breed.  My family was looking for a dog that would get along with children and cats, and also a smaller size.  My Mom had a Siberian Husky and my Dad had a Rottie so they were used to bigger breeds.  But Mom had a spinal fusion after a car accident and needed a smaller dog that she could walk and not get hurt in case of a big pull on the leash.  My curled tail looks like it got dipped in a can of paint :)

Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore. Stories depict them as intelligent beings possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume human form.  Kitsune have become closely associated with Inari, a Shinto kami or spirit, and serve as his messengers. This role has reinforced the fox's supernatural significance. According to Japanese folklore, the more tails a kitsune has - they may have as many as nine - the older, wiser, and more powerful it is. Because of their potential power and influence, some people make offerings to them as to a deity.  My family liked the positive story behind the name, and they feel gifted to have me as their furbaby.

My Mom was originally looking to adopt a mutt or rescue dog.  She came across an ad for a purebred Shiba Inu four month old pup, so she answered it.  The woman’s male dog did not get along with me as he had to be the alpha male.  Shiba Inus by nature almost always have to be alpha males, so that was a situation that was obviously not going to work out.  Mom was wondering why the woman hadn’t researched my breed more carefully.  When Mom asked questions about me, the answers given were very vague.  My background is somewhat questionable, because once Mom was there to meet me, she found out I had been given no shots at all.  Also I had to be kept in my kennel at all times so that the other large male dog wouldn’t attack me.  My family believes I may have been a pup that didn’t get placed from a backyard breeder and needed to go somewhere … and fast.  I didn't have any of the initial basic shots newborn pups get.  Plus I was 4 months old and getting close to not being a "new puppy".

When the woman kenneled the other dogs at the house so Mom and Dad could meet me, she finally let me out of my kennel.  I was really sad being pent up in that kennel for so long all of the time.  I immediately ran right up to Mom.  I was so happy, wagging my tail, whining, ears back and licking Mom all over.  Well Mom fell in love with me at first sight and that was it.  She looked at Dad, and he said, “Let’s give them the adoption fee and go, we have to take him home with us.”  They were afraid that the next step for me was the local animal shelter or just dumped on any family that would take me.  Mom had me checked out and had tests done and brought me up to date on all of my shots.

I had a rough start, but needless to say I am now one very spoiled Shiba!!  I have a Mom, a Dad, and four human siblings ages (10), (12), (17) and (18).  I also allow three cats to live with me, Bandit who is a Ragdoll kitty and named for the little mask on his face, Midnight the black cat who is all good luck, and then there is the female feline diva of the house, Cuddles.  She is a tiger and Siamese mix and she talks all of the time.  Mom feeds me my kibble mixed in with chicken and rice, and sometimes serves my dinner on the fine china.  I have a fenced in yard, however as Shibas are known to try to dig out from under fences in an attempt to go back to their native homeland of Japan, I have a very long dog run in the backyard.  It feels like I am running free.  Mom supports Shiba Rescue, and just bought me a cool Lupine lead, harness and collar from them.  She drives me around in her DogRover and basically spoils me like crazy, I have her so wrapped hehe.  I am very friendly, love making new friends and welcome pal requests!!

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