Yumi came to me through a private rescue. She had been bred twice before and her owners' new baby was allergic! They had 9 other shibas and she was the last one left, but to this day, I can't imagine why. She had gone to one other home first, but that person RETURNED HER (like an ugly sweater) because she tried to attack her parrot -- something that's built in her DNA. After a few months with her, I learned she suffered from epilepsy. It was terribly scary, but I soon learned that it would be OK and that it just made her all the more special. These days, she's my pet, my travel companion, and, most of all, my friend. She's very loyal and very affectionate. She's also very lazy. I try to get her to exercise, but she just won't do it. I try to limit her food and the vet thinks her weight isn't severe enough to be a problem. As a young dog owner, I realize having a pet is a HUGE responsibility, but I would never have it any other way.