Foster by Chance, Adoption by Choice

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It's our two year anniversary of when our first and only foster, Goo Goo 2, arrived at our home. Just like all else in life, time flew by after we adopted her and gave her a new name to her new life: Emi. 

The timing for her foster came just at the right time. We had the extra square footage and time for a temporary dog. Looking back, we were lucky to have a well-behaved foster dog albeit with self-confidence issues. In the end though, the decision to adopt her was ours and we never regretted it. 

Without a doubt in my mind, we wouldn't have been able to find such a great Shiba to fit into our lives if we actively searched for one. In the act of doing something good for the Shiba society, we selfishly fell in love. 

Much love to all the foster families and rescues out there. Without all of you, dogs and families would not reach their happy homes.

 

Happy Gotcha Day Emi + NYCSR Holiday Fundraiser!

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ONE YEAR OF EMI

It's been one year (yesterday) since we officially adopted Emi, formerly known as Goo Goo 2, from NYC Shiba Rescue!

Time seemed to fly a little quicker this year. Having two Shibas is really better than just one. Blog updates have been skinny thanks to the extra time spent cuddling with Emi instead of writing. Yes, she is a fake Shiba in many respects! We've also spent much time in training them  and covered under mounds of Shiba fur.

I decided to cease the monthly updates for Emi midway through 2012 because the progress was more gradual and we did not want to bore you with mundane details. After one year with us, she is still a very nervous girl around other dogs. She still prefers to keep to herself and play with tennis balls or Shio. Her true self shines when she is at home with us. There are times where I wonder if she knows her name and we really haven't trained her with as many tricks as we taught Shio. She is not as intellectually stimulated as Shio is and is satisfied to simply be near us or play with squeaky things. We still want her to live a well-rounded life so we continue to introduce her to new dogs and people. I'm hopeful for progress but we will see how things unfold next year.

We've had many friends from the "twiba" community meet Emi this year during their visits to NYC and I'm confident to say that everyone understands how quickly we fell for her. She is an amazing creature and we adore her to pieces.

Thank you all for your support during the year!

 

COMMENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR NYC SHIBA RESCUE:

We are working on creating a tradition for the holiday season. We want to continue to help raise money for the very same rescue that I volunteer at and rescued Emi from. NYC Shiba Rescue and their volunteers have selflessly saved many Shibas in 2012 and accumulated debt from veterinary care from this year alone, especially after helping a sweet girl named Layla. Contrary to popular belief, the adoption fee for NYC Shiba Rescue at the time of adoption does not cover the full cost of vet care for foster dogs in most cases. It was only after I started volunteering that I realized this! Last year we raised $250 - let's aim for the same amount this year! Every dollar and cent counts and we want to help raise some to help!

For each comment that is left for this post from now until noon Shio's birthday 12/24, we will donate $5 to NYCSR.*

All comments are welcome! INCLUDING multiple comments from one household. We just want you to come by for a quick hello and update us on your lives. The holiday season is always so busy and it's nice to take a minute just to reconnect.

If you've been bitten by the happy holiday bug like we have, please consider also donating to NYC Shiba Rescue through this link: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/nycsr/layla

Also, don't forget to follow us on on twitter! @shiotheshiba and @emitheshiba

*maximum $250

Goo Goo vs. Toys + Food

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The most amusing part of fostering so far with Goo Goo is watching her try foods that are new to her. All these new flavors that she is just discovering are the same that Shio chows down with gusto. Watching Goo Goo playing with toys is hilarious too. She does not know how to play with it and only gets in a bite or two on a squeaky toy before Shio runs in and steals it from her. When we offer new foods to her, we also hold out a piece for Shio too. Before accepting her piece, she always sniffs Shio's first to see if he's eating the same thing. When she determines that it's edible, she takes it gingerly in her mouth and rolls it around on her tongue. Then drops it on the ground. Then picks it back up with her mouth and bites down with her teeth to break the surface of the treat. A little flavor comes out. She rolls it around in her mouth some more. Eventually after much experimentation and examination, she decides that it's palatable and chews the treat. All the meanwhile Shio stares at her waiting for her to drop or abandon her food on the ground. So far she's tried mango, apple, cottage cheese, marrow bone, pig's ear, blueberries, and bananas.

Goo Goo hasn't gotten the concept of toys yet. I don't think she had any toys in her previous home. She doesn't really know what to do with a stuffed squeaky toy or a ball. She always observes Shio chase down a thrown toy and carry it back to the living room rug for a squeak fest. She's starting to take initiative to finding toys on her own and experimenting with them. Experimentation includes chewing lightly on the toy. Her favorite toy right now is a squeaky beaver ball with tail.