Shio Loves Snow
As T mentioned in an earlier post, we took Shio to the Piers in the middle of the snowstorm.
Taken with Lumix GF-1, 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6. Music featured is "Oh Row That Boat" by Wynton Marsalis.
Curious Shio (Testing the Steadycam)
One of the biggest things I have struggled with with my videos is stabilizing the camera while following Shio around.
There are 2 main issues: 1) Shio is low to the ground, so I need a solution that is low to the ground to capture video at his vantage point; 2) I don't want to spend a lot of money for this given I am not sure how well it will work -- most solutions have mixed reviews.
In the end, after looking around on the web, what I found was this: $14 Steadycam. I did not build it myself, and opted for the $50 pre-built version. Three reasons why I bought this: 1) the reviews seem great; 2) it costs 50% less than the next solution available; 3) it has many configurations, one of which allows me to get low to the ground.
I put it together really quickly Friday night and in my first attempt with it, I already achieved relatively neat results:
Video taken with Lumix GF-1, 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6.
Shio @ 14 months
I've realized that I have neglected to update this blog with the monthly changes that Shio has gone through as he progresses into adulthood.
Last time I wrote about the monthly updates was when Shio was 10 months old (how embarassing!) so let's list the changes from then up until now.
- Shio has significantly calmed down since October. When J and I are busy at home, he will entertain himself with the toys that are lying on the ground and not bother us at all.
- The morning wake up calls have ceased and he will now walk into the bedroom (we hear the "tap tap tap" from his nails walking on the hardwood floors) to check up on us. He makes sure we're still alive and breathing and walk out the after he sees that we are still asleep. No more jumping on the bed.
- I can sleep til 10am without feeling guilty about not waking up at 8am to drag him out for a potty break. Yes, I've been pushing my limits. :X
- He's been telling hyper-active puppies off like a grumpy old man when they jump in his face.
- Thanks to proper exercise in Central Park in the mornings, Shio has trimmed down around his waist and his Shiba tummy tuck and leg muscles are showing. He is a big and healthy Shiba - the vet clocked him in at 29 lbs during our annual visit last week.
- His face has lightened and shows little blackness around the snout. The eyebrows have also disappeared. This is what he looked like when we picked him up: http://www.shiotheshiba.com/blog/?p=194
- The amount of loyalty that he has shown to J and I has increased exponentially. He trusts very few people and rarely lets a stranger pet him without shying away.
- No more testing his limits and boundaries.
- We had our last potty accident in January. The end of February will mark (haha) the first full month where we have not had an accident. For us, potty training was much tougher than anticipated.
- No more tearing up every rug he sees! Paper is another story however.
We love him more and more every day. He's such a wonderful dog.
Shio vs. Penguin
When we got Shio the penguin, we thought it would last him a while...
I suppose 3 months is not bad...
Video taken with Lumix GF-1, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G.
Shio’s Everlasting Bento Ball
When we dropped Shio off at our dog sitter's home, the Everlasting Fun Ball
Best doggy purchase ever.
Shio vs. Chicken Bones
Ughhh... Where do I even begin with this one?
NYC is damn dirty. That's a given. But NYC is that much dirtier when you have a puppy. There's the half eaten slice of pizza on the street from last night's partygoer, empty bottles of beer from the club next door, leftover cigarette butts from half of NYC's corporate slaves and broken bagels from the bakery with a crowd of pigeons picking away. Oh, and let's not forget the fried chicken bones.
These are all things that I've ever noticed before Shio. Pre-Shio, I walked around everything intuitively without noticing that it was there. Everything can be explained by poorly managed establishments or last night's drunken stupors but what I have never EVER understood was why there are chicken bones left all over the ground.
Please tell me who wanders down the street munching on greasy fried wings with their fingers and tossing them onto the ground. That is DISGUSTING.
Of course Shio tracks down every single bone and makes a mad dash for it, even managing to chew on it for a bit before I pull the shards of bone from his mouth.
I am not happy with you wing munchers out there, wherever you are. You make dog walking miserable for all of us.