Recent Posts by Kitsune

Topic: General / Rottweilers are bad and here's proof

I am up late adding some new photos I had taken of our new Shiba pup and I had no idea there was such a long post on Rotties in the Forum!

Dwain you make some excellent points, and DogShouter I believe you and Dwain agree on one very important point.  ”A rose by any other name, would smell as sweet” to quote Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  In other words, what matters is what something is, not what it is called.

In any event my husband had a Rottie years ago that he adored.  When he hears the old stereotype about Rotties, he smiles and remembers Jaycub for being more of a lap dog than anything else.  Jaycub was a big marshmallow.  I am glad I stumbled upon this post, Dwain I have learned volumes from you … thank you.  The value of these forums is tremendous.  The more I keep my mind open and hear new and different ideas, the more I learn.  I think the key for me is knowing that I am always a student in life, and there are always new things for me to learn.  One of the greatest gifts I have received has been that of humility, in the best sense of the word.  With humility as my guide, I am able to move out from myself and my set beliefs, and instead move toward others with grace and toward learning new things.  The minute I say I have learned it all is the minute I know I have learned nothing.  Again, thank you for what I have learned here.

Topic: Support And Suggestions / MDS Running Slow Can't post many barks

I am able to post just fine today … whatever it was is resolved now!

Topic: Support And Suggestions / MDS Running Slow Can't post many barks

I was just posting this bark out to everyone, but some many pages are taking forever to load and I when they do load, I can only post text, not the pic with text I am trying to post.  Other pages take forever to load altogether.  Is anyone else having member pages running slow and trouble posting barks?  I am flying through some of them and then hit that rolling green bar!!  For the record, I am trying to post to all of you (and if you are not a furbaby Mom then have a Rockin Sunday anyway!! ;)

Hope you have a Rockin’ Happy Mother’s Day!

Topic: Breeds Club / shih - tzus

Hi Emi, I sent you a dog pal request.  We have two Shiba Inus, and even before we adopted our second Shiba (only a week ago) people were asking me if I was going to breed Kitsu.  I know the initial feeling of what seems to be a great idea.  In the search box, type in the member name “WeLoveOur7Dogs”.  There is a great blog there called “Why Does Everyone Want a Mate to Breed”.  I have some comments in there along with others.  Your shih tzu is beautiful, and just having her be special can be enough!  I used to dog sit for my aunt and uncle’s two shih tzus.  Good luck and I wish you many years of happiness and good health with each other!

 Sharon and The Shibas

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / 36 Yorkies Taken From Filthy Home

Good to hear Carla, and I do know what you mean about a control situation where the rescuers are ending up as the captors.  I have been volunteering at the MSPCA here in Boston doing Animal Rights Advocacy Work and other events.  People here have been great.  I have worked at Mass General Hospital’s ER and worse, Children’s Hospital ER here in Boston.  Some people develop healthy coping mechanisms (our Chief of Staff was a very humorous person, had to be).  Others get hardened to people in general, and that is when I see a scary situation.  It takes a special person to see the good in people and humans.  I hope the little ones are able to be placed soon… 

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / 36 Yorkies Taken From Filthy Home

You were not sounding negative at all, in fact I was being somewhat naive in thinking that people would love to adopt all of these Yorkies … of course with a picture of Zack and Quincy in my head, perfectly groomed and with good dispositions and training.  I know it is hard to watch this happen.  Again I will say some prayers.

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / 36 Yorkies Taken From Filthy Home

I just read aussie6pack’s post.   Sadly I realized that just because people love Yorkies, it doesn’t mean these poor pups have it any easier as far as potential adoptions are concerned.  They have been through so much trauma and who knows what kind of medical care they need as well as any issues that arise due to inbreeding.  Curious to see how this works out, and Carla I am sure it is frustrating wanting to help but not being able to as their situation is in a state of flux.  I’ll say some prayers. 

Topic: Fun / Where did you get your name?

Wow we are back in this Forum again … We just adopted another Shiba Inu girl and decided to stay with the Japanese theme. Shiba Inus are Japanese, and Kitsune means “red fox” in Japanese.  Suki means “beloved” and she truly is to our family ;)

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / 36 Yorkies Taken From Filthy Home

I can only imagine how much health care and physical care these dogs need.  I think we all know we spend a lot on our dogs at the vet, shots, spay/neuter, good food, toys, chew bones, treats, etc.  I can’t imagine properly caring for 36 Yorkies.  I mean I have a health folder for each pet in our home so that I can track what they have had done and when.  I will say some prayers that they all get healthy and into good homes. The good thing is that Yorkies are popular dogs and people love them.  I hope that is an advantage to them.  Carla I wish you luck and it is great you are volunteering your time.  You know a lot of people in the Florida pet circuit, good luck and again I’ll say some prayers.

Topic: Health, Diet And Vets / ProMeris Alert

Wow I have seen that video and I thought that it was very cute…I would have had no idea that this product was so harmful.  I usually use Frontline Plus and was planning on continuing to do so.  Kitsu has a vet appoinment just for shots on the 18th, but sometimes I walk out of there with prescriptions vs. stuff sold in stores or online.  I will ask my Vet at the Apple Country Animal Hospital if he has heard about this, thanks.

Topic: Media / Dog Thefts on the Rise - AKC Cautions Owners

I was just watching the local Channel 7 News here in the Boston area, and they did a whole segment on dog thefts being on the rise, even since the beginning of 2008.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) has issued a warning on their website for everyone to use caution along with ways to safeguard their pets from thieves.  The dognappers are taking Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Corgis and many other purebred dogs, along with many of the newer designer “hybrid” dogs.  They have also broken into a breeder’s home, held them at gun point, and went off with a new litter of Yorkshire Terriers.  Please click on the link below as it has some great advice on how to better safeguard your pet, purebred or otherwise.  I especially paid attention to the part where they talk about being careful who you talk to while out walking your dog.  I am sure we all get stopped by people asking about our dogs, and of course as a proud Shiba Mom I love to talk about Kitsu.  However if someone starts asking questions like ”how much is your dog worth”, or ” does he have papers” or “is she a show dog”, etc., be on the lookout and be mindful of your surroundings and situation.   Kitsu was a rescue, but thieves do not know that and could see him being worth money, along with every other dog out there, purebred and otherwise.  They can always sell any dog for an adoption fee, and make that fee high, on many online classifieds.  This article helped me, and I hope I can pass it on so that ALL of our precious pups are safe and sound.

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3467

Topic: Support And Suggestions / loss of dog

Great idea Parker, that was very kind of you to come up with this idea.  It is a fantastic idea.  I will leave a bark for tat2doc dog Amelia right now.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / "backyard breeding"- I need info!

Olie GREAT WORK!! I am sure your 2 cents worth was more like a million dollars. I am glad this situation had a happy outcome, again great job :)

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Runaway Dog

LOL Jules … I was thinking the same thing for my daughter and son! Glad to hear it’s working out for you,
Sharon & Kitsu

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Runaway Dog

Thanks so much Carla, in fact I am glad this whole subject came up. Like many dogs, Kitsu is microchipped, however I have heard of more Shibas that have gone missing, much to their families’ devastation. There is a Shiba Meetup Group here in MA that I am going to start bringing Kitsu to soon. I am on the Meetup email list, and when a Shiba went missing last week, people from the meetup literally all sent out an email and gathered looking for him for days. There were several sitings, and finally one rainy night Animal Control set up a covered shelter with food in the area he had been and finally caught him and he is now home safely. Having a GPS would have made this so much easier. Again, thanks for the links.

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Runaway Dog

Seriously I wish Roscoe the best. Mom has a dog run in the back yard, but she doesn’t leave me on it unattended, she is too afraid that someone would take me or that a coyote would come along (even though I know I could take ‘em!!) I get walked 3 times a day (this is good for Mom hehehehe) and the 2 legger kiddies play with me for hours. Shiba Inus are a breed that can literally never be off lead, they have a high instinct to run to find new things. Even though our yard is fenced, Shibas are known to dig out from under fences. I highly recommend putting in a dog run in the back yard, they have them at PETCO. Check out this website that shows exactly what they look like: http://www.unchainyourdog.org/Trolley.htm The site shows the need to pour concrete to install a post, really it can be so much easier than that, our dog run is attached between the shed to another tree. If it ever became unloose and broke off from one of the ends, they have a safety feature built in for this exact scenario where there is a “block”, in other words, the lead just gets very long so that the cord running from it does not slip off of the end and your dog cannot run off. We love it!!

Great idea on the GPS for dogs. Mom basically gets lost in her own backyard (okay, she gets lost in a paper bag) and finally got a Blackberry with GPS for the car. I’ll have to look into those GPS’s for dogs. Anybody have a link? Thanks :)

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / Runaway Dog

Did somebody say there was a STEAK in their back yard?? Oh I would NEVER leave, in fact I’ll be over for dinner!! :)

Topic: Media / Barbarity At Animal Shelter Key To Kern County Spay/Neuter Law Debate

As Stewie from “Family Guy” would say, “What the deuce?” Sorry needed some levity!

Anyhow, Kitsu was a “leftover” from a backyard breeder and was the pup that didn’t get picked, had no shots and was getting too “old to sell as a puppy”. If you read my profile, you will get the picture on how we adopted Kitsu. I started out wanting to get a dog from a breeder, and now I find myself working part-time at the MSPCA here in Boston on a volunteer basis. If you knew me, you would know I do not subscribe to PETA’s philosophy, I have an old blog on them as well as Greenpeace, yet I cannot ignore all of the animals being put to sleep. If anything I tend to be more of a conservative on issues like this. However, the number of pets does not equal the number of homes, so the math pretty much says it. I assure you the people I see at the MSPCA aren’t in cahoots to kill dogs. The overpopulation of pit bulls (that pretty much have their fate sealed half the time they enter the door) speaks volumes.

I do agree with Lee about all of us realistically working together in these endeavors. Also, we are all here with a common cause … for the love of DOG ;)

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Doggie Dollars

Oh boy new goodies … My human Mom is in her early forties and you would think she is one of the kids getting all excited with these little tags for events and now Doggie Dollars. I love this site, and as the “crazydoglady” puts it, it is so good to have “Bubblegum for the brain!” World can get crazy and life hectic, nice to have a fun place to go :)
Kitsu

Topic: Support And Suggestions / slow

Thanks Robert … and FYI we would like to send out a big BARK to everyone on MDS … I was able to read one blog this morning and edit my own blog, but it took awhile. Still slow, and for some reason I have pal requests that I cannot open and accept. I could open my email. We will check in another time and in the meantime, everybody have a great day! Sharon & Kitsu :)

Topic: Advice, Training And Tips / "backyard breeding"- I need info!

First of all, Olie it is wonderful that you are trying to diplomatically deal with some people that may end up making a very bad decision. I do have a thought. After reading the information you have given about the family, one thing stood out a lot. They need MONEY. If they could somehow see that they will not be able to make any money by selling these pups and may even be stuck with them, they MAY think twice. There are tons of ads on Craigslist and Petfinder everywhere for “pitbull puppy – free to a good home”. Many people have litters not considering that the dam can have a dangerous or even fatal whelping, and they would have to deal with an emergency situation for the Mom that they would not be able to afford. If that happened, the mother may die as a result of no medical intervention, the babies may or may not be saved, and if they were to be saved would need very expensive puppy formula. I don’t see them giving the pups any shots, and by the way, this is how I got Kitsu … and he is not a pitbull. He was a left over backyard breeder runt of the litter that was costing too much to keep and was left caged so that the alpha make in the house would stop attacking him. Again, it is very honorable that you are trying to intervene in a very delicate way … wording is everything, and I think if you went with the money angle it may at least help.

Topic: Media / Dog Food, Animal Cruelty & Largest Beef Recall in US History

Yesterday the USDA issued the largest beef recall in U.S. history, the latest action in response to the Humane Society’s undercover of a dairy cow slaughter plant in Southern California. The recall of 143 million pounds of beef came two days after San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos filed criminal charges against slaughter plant workers caught on video torturing crippled cattle, and two weeks after the USDA shut down that slaughter plant. The link I am putting here is very graphic of animal cruelty at the slaughter plant. This beef not only made it into supermarkets, it went to many school lunch programs. I have children and this is obviously very disturbing to me and to many others. Although it did not affect our state Massachusetts, I feel for anyone affected by this, especially the poor cows that were subjected to this torture.

Question: Does anybody know if this has made it into the dog food industry as well??

Here is the link:
https://community.hsus.org/humane/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=19778871

Topic: Support And Suggestions / Likes, Dislikes, Wants

I have loved this site since it first began, and I agree with aussie6pk. I know everyone has a different skill level regarding HTML code, etc. and that individual computer skills vary. Since MDS began, I have gotten emails since way back when the site first started and there were only about 150 members. I have helped a lot of people from knowledge of my own and of my husband’s as he does graphic design and builds websites. I used to walk many members through the start up process, and after a long time, I just couldn’t help everybody out. I made this exact recommendation a long time ago via email, however the site was much smaller then. Maybe we can revisit this idea as MDS has grown to be so much larger? By the way, I am so happy to see that this site has grown, I knew it would take off and it did. I have learned so much here too, from the Forums as well as other members sharing advice. Thanks :)

Topic: General / Great site for Dogs and Kids

Thanks … I checked out the site, and I am making sure my 12 year old daughter and 10 year old son check it out. Great site!

Topic: Rescues, Shelters And Adoptions / 100 Ways To Help A Rescue

Fantastic post … I will be volunteering to do fund raising and event booths here at the MSPCA in Boston, MA. So many people genuinely want to help, but don’t really know how to help. I made a post under the forums called “Shopping for Rescue”, i.e., sites people can buy their leads, dog supplies, etc. from that they will need to buy anyway. Proceeds go to Rescue. Great post!! (Check out in the Forums under “Shelters & Rescues” the subject “Shopping for Rescue” and add your own sites that you recommend or other ways to shop at places that help rescues!)