It is our pleasure to have Kaiju as our second Twiba-Interview guest.
<S>: Shio / <K>: Kaiju
<S>: First of all, I want to say that your website is very cool. Your pawrents have some skills! The layout is neat and the photos are GREAT!!!
<K>: Thanks! My hudad is a Web designer. He did a good job of building the website exactly as I envisioned. My humom likes taking photographs and documenting. Her pictures are definitely awesome… Besides, I'm in them, ya know!
My humans were so excited about getting me that they made the Web site way before I arrived. It made the waiting easier, I think. When I got injured, documenting the positives helped them through the tough time. For me, it's helped me make lots of awesome Shiba (redundant, I know) friends. I'm happy they work hard to maintain the site for me.
<S>: That IS pawsome. Having a Web designer hudad must be handy. Tell us a little more about your injury... We are all very glad you are now totally fine, but looking back, what do you think of the incident now? The clinic seemed so totally incompetent!!
<K>: Yah.... My humans get sad whenever they see my bent leg and worry that my knees may be hurting, but they feel fine to me. I can run, and play with other dogs. I can hike. I have no problem laying down and sleeping. I think I'm good!
I really try not to think about that day. I don't want to hold grudges. I know that they didn't mean to hurt me. Just sometimes, though, when I see something suspicious, I can't help remembering that pain and just want to get AWAY. I just hope that someone reads my story, and is extra careful when handling Shiba puppies. If that prevents it from happening again, then I'm happy. But yah… it was totally incompetent… I guess that's why they have that saying 'She's only human'. Makes total sense, doesn't it?
<S>: BOL! *High paw!*
<K>: He he! To tell you the truth, I don't remember all the details of the incident itself. One moment I was in the arms of the technician, and the next, I was crying on the floor, in pain. I do remember the surgeries and the stays at the bigger hospital more clearly. It was so scary with all those strangers and noisy metal equipments. I also remember that my surgeon loved me… she was very sweet. When I cried (well, the humans called it screaming but whatever) because I was so scared while laying on the X-ray table, she came back to hold me and pet me for 10 minutes until I felt better.
For small things like routine visits and quick checkups, we still go to the same clinic where the accident happened. The vet's handling of the incident has been, for most part, appropriate. The only thing that bothers us to this day is seeing the same technician still working there. Unfortunately, between my humans, there is only one moving crate, and this clinic is the only one in walking distance. Until the humans figure out something else, I think we're sticking with this place. For anything that is not routine, my humans will insist on going to the big hospital.
<S>: Makes a lot of sense. You are very brave.
<K>: Brave... that's a word I don't hear very often to describe me. BOL! I know my humans would love me to be that...
<S>: How have your humans helped you become more outgoing? By the way, I understand how you feel. We Shibas are too superior to "socialize" with everybody... Not sure why it is such a big deal...
<K>: Wait, who said I wasn't outgoing! I love my fellow dogs! I'm pretty happy at dog parks. It's where I'm most outgoing, I think. I even go straight up to big dogs and ask them to play with me. Most of them are very nice, although when they run over me and I roll, my humans get nervous about my knees snapping.
On the other hand, strange humans are not to be trusted. I don't want those people to come near me. I prefer to come to them, you know? Some people are ok though. They just need to earn my respect first. Playing with me is the key to my heart… if you smell ok. I think it's best to take a cautious whiff before deciding.
Anyway, my humans have been really focusing on letting me decide things for myself, and they try not to push me too hard (though the definition of 'too hard' is highly debatable!). When people ask if they could touch me, my humans have been saying "no", way more often than before. Sometimes they even stand between me and the adoring crowd to protect me. I haven't had to walk in commercial areas in a long time, and they always watch the state of my tail so they can get me out of bad situations quickly. They are like my Secret Service.
They also take me to really fun places like woods, lakes, and dog parks as often as they can. Oh, and I take some nasty tasting meds that my humans cleverly hide in treats. I still don't like routine walks, though. I worry a lot about noisy and moving things, and I give my humans a hard time by sitting down and pulling back. I even refuse to look at where we are going. Really, I just don't see the point. Walks are overrated and too stressful for everybody involved.
So, you see, I'm working hard at campaigning an idea here. I say, just eliminate all the routine walks, and stick to driving to dog parks, state parks, and my grandhumans' backyard! ...but you know, I'm still honing my mind control skills.
<S>: Agree! I hate the routine walks too. As you know, I protest all the time!
<K>: I know! My humans find your protests so endearing and hilarious. When I protest, though, they don't find it funny at all. Not fair!
<S>: I am very jealous that you seem to go everywhere (the city, the beach, canoeing, hiking...). Camping seems very awesome -- can you tell us other Twibas more about what camping with the humans is like?
<K>: Yeah…it's pretty awesome, though it's not always with JUST my humans… I feel like they always have a bunch of other people around, which totally cramps my style… Can't it just be US!? But besides that part… I like sleeping in the tent with my humans… We all get to cuddle really close.
And then there's the nature. That is the best! I have endless things to examine and study. Everything smells so interesting out there, and the pinecones feel extra good to chew on! There are no cars, no weird things that make stupid noises, like horns, or rolling bag things. Its super quiet. Just trees moving in the wind… like it's supposed to be. And even when I'm in the tent, I can smell everything outside. It's pretty wild.
Another awesome thing about camping is all of the random food that falls into my mouth. I get bits of sausages, bacon, some grilled meat!... things I'm never allowed to eat at home.
In a way, maybe my mind control IS working. I think they take me to all those quiet pretty nature places because that's where I'm happiest. This means they plan their activities around me (well, except when they go out in town by themselves, which I think they should stop). I win!
<S>: You like to cuddle!? Whoa!!
<K>: You don't? I don't cuddle them too often, but when they cuddle me, I like it.
So, are you and your humans going camping any time soon?
<S>: My pawrents are not so big on camping, but when we go to new places like Newport, Maine, I get very excited.
<K>: I've been to Newport! Just the Cliff Walk and the beach, though. And the water was cold. I liked it!
<S>: Let's talk about the water -- what is up with the swimming?! I have never seen a Shiba swim!?!?
<K>: He he. I get asked this question a lot. I started swimming as part of my knee surgery rehab. Everyone said I wouldn't be able to do it, cuz i'm a shiba. That talk made me want to prove everyone wrong! The truth is, I don't love it or anything. Don't get me wrong, Water is really cool. I like having it around. I just wish it weren't so wet! My favorite part of swimming is that moment I get out of the water. I shake myself off, and I'm just so happy to be out of there!
I do recognize that I'm a good swimmer, and also that it's a really good exercise. Plus my humans get so happy when I swim! There are a lot of things I won't do for them… so it's good to give them something to feel good about once in a while.
<S>: As much as I secretly love my humans, I am not about to go swimming for them... Hehe...
Thanks for doing this interview my friend. Maybe we can play together some time since you are on the east coast as well!!
<K>: Yah! I can't do cities, but it sounds like a meetup somewhere on LI is a possibility. I can't wait...
Thanks for inviting me to the interview. I'm super honored!
Photos provided by Kaiju.
Photos taken with Nikon D700 + 24-70mm f/2.8G, Leica M8 + Summicron-M 35mm f/2.