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Deshi Days

Deshi Dishes With Jujube!

My interview with Jujube - 951723:

Tell me a bit about your name and how you got it.

My full name is Kari-on’s Essence of Tenju. In my old home, they called me Essie. My new mommy picked out Jujube because it sounded fun. My daddy agreed because a Jujube is a red Chinese date. Red and sweet. Yep! That’s me!

Mostly, my pawrents call me Juju… doubling the last syllable of Tenju.

I read on your profile that you moved to your forever home when you were three years old. What was it like when you first moved in? Did you and Loki get along right away?

It was kind of scary when I first moved here. My new mommy and daddy were nice, but everything else was scary. The car ride was scary. Loki was a big mean bully, who didn’t want me touching any of his stuff. It took awhile before Loki and I got along. He still doesn’t like to share.

Do you have a favorite toy? If so, what is it?

My ultimate, favorite chew toy was Mommy’s underwear, but she was a meanie pie and took that away from me. Boo! Now my favorite toy sits on a high shelf. One of these days I’ll figure out how to get to it.

Tell me a bit about the place where you live. Your profile doesn't mention it all all. What is the scenery like and is the weather nice there?

I live in a nice three-story townhouse. There are lots of stairs, which is so much fun. I get to zoom past everyone on the stairs – Mommy, Daddy, and Loki are all slow-pokes. The weather here changes all the time; I don’t mind. Sometimes it’s hot and humid. Sometimes it’s rainy. And sometimes we even get a little bit of snow. Loki balks at the rain, but it’s all good to me. And I love the snow! So much fun to prance around in.

Have you ever been on a long road trip? If so, what did you think about it and where did you go?

Long road trips used to really stress me out. But after going to New Jersey a few times now, I learned that it’s not so bad. Once we get there, Loki and I get to bark at the cat and eat its food. That’s kind of fun.

Do you have any allergies?

Nope. Luckily, none for me.

What kind of food do you eat? Do you always eat all of your food or are you a picky eater?

I get California Natural. Sometimes I get chicken. Sometimes I get lamb. And sometimes I get fish. My pawrents like to switch it up. I inhale all of my food in thirty seconds flat. Better eat fast lest Loki steals my food. What’s there to be picky about? I’ll eat anything and everything. And no delicate chewing for me either. I could beat all the boys in an eating contest.

What is your favorite place to go for walks? Tell me a bit about it and what makes it so great.

I love being FREE. My favorite walk is any walk where I’m FREE. I try to get FREE as often as possible. Sometimes I escape out of the smallest crack in the front door, and sometimes I’ll gnaw on my leash to chew my way to freedom. If I’m really, really lucky Mommy will let me off-leash in a secluded, wooded area. That’s the best.

Do you like getting baths? What kind of shampoo are you bathed with?

Who likes getting baths? Of course I hate baths! I try to jump out of the bathtub as often as possible. Unfortunately, I get slathered in Oatmeal Shampoo. It smells yucky. I much prefer the smell of mud and dead animals.

Are you a very talkative shiba or are you a quiet girl?

I wouldn’t say that I’m a talkative shiba, but I do gently remind my Mommy with incessant whining when it’s time to feed me, and when it’s time to walk me, and when it’s time for me to pee, and when it’s time for her to wake up, and when it’s time for her to pet me. Sheesh, she’s so lazy!

Oh, and I’m the loudest belcher in my family. I bet I could win a burping contest among both humans and dogs.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with the dogs on the shiba forum?

It’s been lots of fun getting to know all of you pups on this forum. Smiles and tail wags to everyone!

Deshi Dishes With Henry!

Here is my interview with Henry (603949). Enjoy!

Your name, Henry, was that your original name when you were adopted or a new name. If it was new, what was the inspiration for your name?

My original name was Hines - I was named after some football player. When it came time for me to come home with Mom, she decided that Hines was just a bad name so I needed a new one. Her friend T. said "He's a cool dog. He needs a cool dog name." The choices were Henry and Charlie, and she chose Henry b/c it had the same first letter as my original name. Where she got Henry and Charlie, I don't know. She's just smart like that.


I read on your profile that your favorite place to walk is Independence Mall. Tell me a bit about it. What are the sights you see and the smells you smell there?

Well, Independence Mall is full of exciting things. First of all, there's a LOT of grass. I like to run around on it (while on leash, of course!) and get my toesies all wet and green. There's a cafe that has a lot of yummy smells. There's always at least one other dog (besides Chad) to sniff, and lots of tourists to try and pet me. Naturally, I duck out of the way just in time. Mom is so funny when she's embarrassed! HA!


Since you are a creamie are you subjected to baths more because dirt shows up on you easier or do you manage to stay pretty clean?

No - if it weren't for my nails needing to be trimmed and Chad needing a bath (he's oily), I would probably only be groomed twice a year. My Mom likes to tell the story about one time at the dog park when I got really dirty and muddy, and as she put me in the car, she resigned herself to giving me a bath when we got home. By the time we got home (15 minute drive), I was clean!!


I imagine you get a lot of snow up in PA in the winter. Have you become an expert at camouflaging yourself in the snow?

It's easy to camouflage myself in the snow - everyone is distracted by how ridiculously silly Chad is acting in it, and I just quietly blend into the background. Until I make yellow snow! That gives me away every time.


Do you like to go to the dog park? If so, is there a particular park you like the best?

I do like to go to the dog park, but I get in lots of fights, so Mom doesn't take me as often as she used to. It stresses her out. We like the Schuykill River Dog Run - it has an all dog side and a little dog side. Chad likes the all dog side, but we mostly hang in the little side b/c I'm less likely to get in trouble on that side.


Where is your favorite napping spot?

When Mom is home, I like to nap next to wherever she is - usually we sit on the couch together, and put my head on her lap while she does "work" on the computer. If she's gone to work, then I sleep on her pillow on her bed. I love my Mom.


So, Henry, tell me about that frog costume you are dressed up in. Have you found a way to destroy it or do you fear you may be forced to wear it again?

The frog costume! My nemesis. It taunts me! Mom put it in the closet for safe keeping. I keep talking Chad into peeing on the closet door, so that when she opens it to clean, the costume will fall on the floor. But, she's too quick. She catches it midair and it never even gets close to my teeth!


Cats, what do you think about them?

Taste like chicken. Ha ha! Just kidding. I actually really like cats. Our dogwalker/dogsitter has a cat that is one of my bestest buds. Whenever I'm at their house, we play and play. Someone needs to get rid of those sharp things at the ends of his toes, though!


Tell me a bit about the dog food you eat. How much are you fed a day and what kind of food is it? Are you a picky eater?

I eat Solid Gold Barking at the Moon. I'm not really a picky eater, unless that means I eat anything I can pick up! But, I'm super super allergic to chicken, so Mom is a picky feeder! Sometimes we get some canned Wellness CORE Ocean formula, too!


Do you ever get table scraps? If so, do you have a favorite thing you like to get or will any scrap do?

Not very often. Not as often as I did before Chad moved in. Now I have to share. Harumph. My favorite thing is shrimp tails, or, no wait, cheese, or pepperoni, or peanut butter Cap'n Crunch, or ice cream, or... what were we talking about again?


Is there anything else you'd like to share with the dogs on the shiba forum?

Just thanks for keeping Mom sane! She really likes reading about the rest of your antics - makes her feel less alone, she says. I don't get this - she has me and Chad. She's not alone. Ever.

Helping with the groceries

Mom came in tonight and she had two bags of groceries in her hands. I decided to give her a helping paw. I jumped up and clawed at the plastic bags. One bag ripped open and everything fell onto the floor. I think I did a good job.