In the Company of Dog

Well my house is filled to the brim. There are Shibas everywhere. After Ginger left I still had Prince. Add to that Tasha, who is technically being fostered by my mom, but I am looking after her Shiba when she is working with Tasha. To add to that, Toshi, a stray from the Philly Pound came here on Monday because we are just out of foster space. So at total count, I have 6-7 dogs in here at any given time. Thank goodness for crates.

All the fosters are doing well for the most part. Prince is coming around and has really learned to trust. He even calms down when he gets wound up just by saying “stop”. Tasha has really started to come out of her shell. She is eager to come out for a pat or a scritch and finally runs around mom’s house with her tail up. She also gets along perfectly with all the other dogs. She couldn’t care less about them. And finally Toshi. Poor Toshi. A Shiba on the euthanasia list at the Philly Pound. The rescue pulled him from there on Monday and he has taken the whole ordeal very well. As far as we know, he was a street stray. He has no understanding of what a house is or even what people really are. He is cautious but friendly and will put up with anything. He is happy to stand there and be petted but does not have any understanding of basic commands. He also wants to mark my whole house. Guess marking is the first and foremost behavior on my list to fix.

So if anyone reading this is in the NYC Metro Area, please consider fostering a needy Shiba. And if you are not in our area or are simply not a Shiba person, please consider fostering for another needy organization. Rescues are always grateful to have more foster homes and if the dogs could say so, they would thank you too. It can be hard work sometimes, but nothing in this world is more rewarding for me and I know there are other people out there who would feel the same if they just opened their door to a dog in need.

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Well, Ginger is off the another foster for behavior modification testing. I miss her. As much as I tried not to become attached, she really weaseled her way into our family. He social issue were never as bad as most of the other dogs I have worked with. She will make a wonderful companion for someone and I hope her best years are still to come.

Prince is doing well. His snappy behavior has improve immensely. He is much more happy and outgoing. He look to me know for instruction, which is huge because before he used to just run around aimlessly and get into trouble. He loves to come in from outside now because treats and training come soon after. He sits by default now and downs are coming slowly. His loose lead walking is improving and he is starting to get with the program. I think he will make a wonderful buddy for someone who wants to keep training with him and enriching his life.

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