I'm FOUND!

After three days missing Lola came home on her own! I heard a tag jingle that sounded remarkably like Lola's, so I eagerly looked outside only to see a neighbor walking her mini-schnauzer. So my heart sank. But then just moments later the neighbor knocked on my door and said "I think your dog may have gotten out!" And pointed down the street to Lola sitting on the curb. I was overjoyed. I went outside and Lola came running up. My guess is that it really was her that I heard in the yard, but she had moved by the time I got to the window. Thank goodness for the neighbor who saw her and took the time to knock on my door.

Now Lola is safely back home. She was dirty and had some burs in her fur. I wonder where her adventures took her. She had a small breakfast and a nice drink of water. She went up and climbed into her crate almost immediately. She's finally back in her safe place.

LOST!

Lola escaped from the yard around 8pm Friday, March 14th. We searched for hours that night and the next day and have notified all local shelters and animal control. She is wearing a red leather collar and shamrock ID tag. She is also microchipped. If you live in the Saint Paul/Minneapolis area or know anyone who does please keep an eye out for her! She's shy, but non-aggressive. We fear she won't readily approach strangers and may end up getting very lost and not be able to find her way home. If you have any information please contact me!!

SHEDDING!

I did a lot of research on Shibas before getting Lola so I had heard about the twice yearly phenomenon of "blowing the coat". I thought, "Well, a little shedding a couple of times a year, how bad could it be? She's such a little thing."

Well, let me tell you, it's pure insanity. I don't understand how much hair can come off of her! With the amount of hair I've brushed off of her, swept off the floor, lint brushed off the furniture, and breathed in from the air (yech) I feel like I've collected about 3 dog's worth of fur. By all logic Lola should be completely bald by now. I'm glad she's not, but it might be a little bit easier!

I'm afraid I'm going to be spitting up hairballs soon! Last night we had obedience class which is held at a doggy daycare center with a black rubber floor. I brushed Lola thoroughly before class in hopes that she wouldn't leave me in a cloud of hair at class. I had to clean out the slicker brush several times, but she finally seemed to be fairly smooth. At class she does beautifully. She's focused, happy, friendly, everything is great! Before we leave I glance back at our little spot and the black floor is carpeted with a thin layer of white fluff. She managed to leave a nice pile of hair in just one hour! Sheesh. I hope we're done with this soon.

College Dog!

Lola is learning to be a college dog these days. I'm in school right now and for the right person I think college is the greatest time to have a dog. Lola gets so much love and attention! I'm rarely gone for more than 3 hours at a time. I do have to come home and study, you know. Lola really helps me relax and stay positive through the stress. She gives me more of a routine that keeps me on track with my work. It's great to have a wagging tail greet me at the door after a rough class. I always have a reading buddy or a foot warmer when I'm on the computer writing a paper.

Lola is beginning to get better about being social too, because, let's be serious here... College is as much about fun as it is about learning. Lola has many adoring fans, she just needs to learn to accept their lovin'.

Soon Lola will be in school too! Obedience school. Uh oh. I'll be the one comforting her after a long class or a hard test! Or if those other pups tease her curly tail. I'm sure she'll get all A's. If only that would rub off on me!

Finally Home!

Lola came to my home just recently after retiring from the show ring and from being a mom. She's an absolute joy! So far she has only displayed loving obedience and goofy clowning, no typical Shiba mischeif and cunning. She's a dream! After much bribery with liver treats she decided I'm an ok friend and has warmed up to our frequent visitors as well. She's already been proclaimed a wolf and a fox by passersby but greets them warmly with kisses instead of grunts. I can't wait to find out more about her lovely personality.