Tsuki

Tsuki is a happy 14 year old Shiba Inu female.

Check out her story, written by her owner:

This is my female Shiba Inu.  We named her Tsuki which in Japanese means, Moon.  She certainly lights up the house with her quiet presence.  I have always wanted to add a dog to our family.  However, being a career military service member, I felt it would be unfair for both the pet and my family as a result of our constant moving around the globe.  Additionally, being residents of Hawaii, my wife and I, considered  the long quarantine requirements of the past and owning a pet and bringing it with us from abroad would add to the difficulties.

My retirement in 1996 from the U.S. Navy brought a new addition to our family.  It was Xmas 1996, when my daughter, Lisa, (who was 13 years old), opened her gifts Xmas morning.  She later started crying and to my surprise, she was hoping for a dog.  Lisa confided with me that I had impressed upon her during my Navy career that owning a family pet was too big of a responsibility for all of us.  I had once promised her that when I ended my Navy career, I would get her a dog.  Well, I had closed an episode in my life and my promise wasn’t fulfilled.  I felt really bad because to see your child unhappy on such a joyous occasion, just spoiled the moment.  I must tell you, that once I promise someone something, I always come through.  That is just who I am.  So with that, I sought out a breeder that I had encountered through my work and called him to explain the situation.  I had met him earlier during the year and had seen the stud and bitch.  Both were beautiful and elegant dogs with great conformation.  I was in luck, he had kept a female puppy for himself and after hearing my sad story (being part Italian, of course I broke out my violin), the breeder was willing to let her go and we quickly negotiated a price.  He flew from Lihue to Honolulu with the Shiba puppy in tow.  I met him at the Island Terminal and picked-up our new family addition.  On my way home, I stopped at a store and bought a nice big red bow and tied it around Tsuki’s neck.  I called my wife and asked her to standby with the movie camera and as I drove into the drive way and exited the car with Tsuki in my arms, a once-in-a-lifetime experience unfolded before us, capturing the joy of your child with wondrous results; years of joy for the whole family.  Tsuki is now 14 years old and my live-in daughter, as Lisa is now making a life of her own on the mainland.

Why a Shiba Inu?  During my military career adventurous walk-abouts, my wife and I found ourselves at Mystic Harbor, CT.  As we were enjoying the scenery, I spotted a couple walking a black and white dog on a leash.  I had to find out the type of breed, because it was exactly what I always dreamed in a dog; not too small, a look of the wild, and a beautiful gait.  The well-dressed couple were several blocks away and I sprinted down the sidewalk in pursuit.  Hearing footsteps scurrying behind them, they turned around and seeing an Island Boy like me, they must’ve thought they were about to be mugged.   Surprise!  I had many questions to ask of them about the breed and luckily they were forthcoming.  I have always had an affinity for the look of the wild that spitz breeds display, including wolves, wild dogs, foxes, etc., and the Shiba Inu was, as seen through my eyes – perfection.

Owning a Shiba is absolutely a unique experience.  Not having owned a dog for years, with the exception a German Shepherd as a kid, and an English Bulldog as a teen, Tsuki brings a different perspective.  She’s absolutely quiet and never barks, but instead yelps only occasionally.  For a long time we thought she didn’t have a voice.  The breed is not typical of most dogs.  Matter of fact, Shibas (or at least my Tsuki) are more like cats; independent, aloof, very little doggy smells, and needs very little affection with the exception of occasional praises and gentle hand on the head or a scratch behind the ear.  She looks at me as if to say, “get-a-life.”  The only drawback, that is, if you don’t care for hair, Shibas shed immensely twice a year.  The undercoat is thick and dog hair is something getting used to, because it’s everywhere.  I would say it’s a very little inconvenience with so many wonderful traits and characteristics.  I can leave my home and know that Tsuki will be greeting me on my return at the driveway gate, prancing and dancing without a bark, welcoming her alpha.  The neighbors are never inconvenienced or annoyed by insistent barking.  A ratter and lizard chaser, but knows to leave my pet tortoises alone.  People will always stop to question the type of breed and you meet many people in the course of doggy walks.   Strangely, I’ve gotten some people to ask me if Tsuki is a fox.  She’s definitely foxy, but Sir, she’s not a fox.  Tsuki is obedient and smart, but what else can I say about my child and only live-in daughter!  She’s the twinkle in my eyes.  Yes, Shibas, they are very special.