Errands!

Haruko's day out

Haruko and I went out on errands today!

Despite the rain, we walked around the neighborhood three times in the morning. In between walks I attempted to clean around the house. Haruko helped by dragging all her toys around the house. I'm sure it's a statement of abstract modern art.

I needed to run errands today, but Haruko insisted she would die of boredom if I didn't bring her along. I tried to convince her that it would dull, and a lot of time in the car. However, she cried pitifully at the door until I tucked her under one arm and brought her out to the car.

We drove to the hardware store first. Haruko elected to stay and continue napping in the car. Hardware stores are way too dull for an energetic puppy!

At our next stop I let her run around the sidewalk to greet her public. Then, when she seemed pretty tired out, I dropped her off at the car and went into the fabric store. Her old puppy bed still functions, but it looks pretty nasty after being washed so many times. So I bought two yards of cute fleece fabric to re-cover the bed!

Puppy and cupcake patterned fleece <3

On our way back from the store we stopped by a local park to hike around for half an hour. Haruko got to meet up with several puppy friends, which made her day in the car all worth it.

Now we're back home. Haruko ate an early dinner and then settled down on her couch. She worked hard today!

All tuckered out.

Haruko: The Kawaii Kaiju

The Original Kawaii Kaiju

My current Shiba Inu named Haruko inspired this blog. Her love to play and puppy bite earned her the nickname Kawaii Kaiju early on in life.

Kawaii means cute in Japanese.  I'm certain that "shiba inu puppy" is a synonym for cute. 

Haruko aged 8 weeks. Epitome of cute.

Kaiju roughly means monster in Japanese. Although cute, Haruko's badness levels are often unusually high for someone her size (credit: Lilo and Stitch).  

Haruko aged 8 weeks. Nomming on an innocent fish.

In this blog I hope to provide a fun mix of stories about my adventures with Haruko and other Shibas. I may throw in some thoughts on other Shiba or dog related topics as the mood strikes me. 

I hope you enjoy!

My first Shiba Inu Encounter

Once upon a time in Japan...

I met my first Shiba Inu at the age of five and fell in love.

We met in Hokkaido, Japan. 

I lived in a small apartment with my family. The Shiba Inu lived in a beautiful traditional Japanese house.   

We first met one morning when my family and I set out for our first adventure of the day. I remember dashing through snow. My little brother not far behind me. My brother and I laughed as we made "dragon fire" with our breath. The white smoke of our breath created dramatic swirls against the bright blue sky. 

We followed our dad out the front gates onto the narrow winding streets of Hokkaido. The tops of garbage bags and metal garbage lids peeked out under the mounds of snow. Many people dotted the street in front of us. Cars puttered by on the main road. However, the snow softened the frantic noises of the city.

We dashed past small coffee shops squeezed between modern business buildings. Around the corner we found ourselves in a small neighborhood. Shops, apartment complexes, vending machines, and traditional Japanese houses intermingled.

Mom and Dad led us down an alleyway to avoid the street traffic. My brother and I dashed past a mix of cluttered backyards and immaculate gardens. 

As we approached one yard, we noticed a small house rested against the fence. 

As we drew near, a cream colored dog with perky ears and a curly tail leaped up onto the top of the doghouse. The cream Shiba Inu flopped its curly tail back and forth. A bright Shiba smile greeted us from above. The cream dipped its head down just low enough for our small gloved hands to reach. I reached up and lightly stroked the Shiba's head. I looked up at the Shiba and knew we were friends.

Everyday after our first meeting, our cream Shiba friend loyally awaited us atop its home. I would race ahead. My short legs churning through the snow to go meet up with my friend.

The Shiba always waited regally atop its house. Greeted our family with the air of an emperor. Then smartly jumped down and trotted up to its human's back deck. 

The Shiba's humans often would part the shoji screen doors and wave to us as they let their Shiba inside.

I loved that cream Shiba with all its regal airs and eyes that sparkled with intelligence. I especially loved those perky ears and curly tail. 

Before we left Japan. I made sure to ask my mom to teach me how to read the words Shiba and Inu. 

To be continued...