Photos taken with Leica M8, Summicron-M 3mm f/2. Processed with VSCO — this is a really awesome product that everybody should check out.

As mentioned before, Shio started wolfing down his food like there was going to be a famine tomorrow. He would finish his meal in less than 5 large gulps and then lunge for Goo Goo’s. If Goo Goo so much as looks at him, he would let out a little growl to let her know that he’s not sharing. They even had two barking fights where I had to step in over food. As time passed, he realized that GG is his housemate and she’s going to have to eat whether he likes it or not. I separate them when I give them bones to work on but with food, they eat side by side. I sit in between them and occasionally lift Shio’s head up so that he remembers to breathe. He has slowed down during meals but that doesn’t stop him from checking out GG’s bowl when he’s finished for leftovers. He’s much better about GG coming over occasionally to see if he’s having a more delicious meal than she is.

Shio and GG also have very different personalities. Whilst GG has a flight mentality when she hears or sees any altercations, Shio will run towards it to police the situation. When our doorbell rings for deliveries or guests, Shio will run towards the front door while Goo Goo runs upstairs to safety. In the dog run, Shio will not allow any dog to sniff his butt whereas GG will let them sniff but any more than that will result in her on the ground showing her belly with her teeth baring. Shio is happy to school a rude puppy while Goo Goo avoids being abused by a puppy entirely by scampering away.

Shio’s a tough guy for sure. A protector. Bodyguard.

But at home, he follows his foster sis around and begs her to play with him. When Goo Goo does play with him, he knocks her down to wrestle but always lets her back up so that she has a fighting chance. She nips at his face and pulls at his scruff and Shio reciprocates with dinosaur-esque growling sounds. He is always close behind her when he thinks that she’s going to get a treat, thus making his recalls in parks absolutely fabulous since GG is always next to me. Nobody is allowed to eat if he doesn’t get a bite too. Shio also makes sure that he bonds with his foster sister by grooming her. He licks the insides of her ears and stays close by her when napping. It’s rare for them to be in separate rooms.

Shio’s really a softie.

First order of business after awakening: Play time.

It’s a love story really.

She’s doing a great job coming out of her shell. Instead of hiding in or under shady places now, she is ready to meet the world with her bad ass Shiba self. I originally thought she would be okay with meeting new people but she’s more Shiba than I thought. Goo Goo will duck away from being pet by a stranger like Shio! She’s much more comfortable in our local dog run too. Still no playing with other dogs but she’s running around and exploring the space and is much better at walking with me while leashed.

We’ve given her a bath as well. She doesn’t like baths but is very good about tolerating them. No Shiba screams or scratching to climb out. Same temperament at the vet’s office.

Bath time for Goo Goo!

She’s also successfully learned two new commands: ‘Sit’ and ‘Paw’. More training will come as she becomes more comfortable.

Goo Goo also loves playing with Shio. They run around in circles in our living room and uses our furniture as a jungle gym. Our jumbo sized ottoman has become their personal wrestling platform.

Goo Goo has grabbed hold of Shio's forehead!

Playing with Shio

Goo Goo really enjoys following me around everywhere in the apartment. Shio will now follow her while she’s following me so I constantly have a Shiba train when I walk around.

Our favorite nicknames for her so far are Lady Goo Goo, The Goo-ster, and Goo Goo 2S.

This girl is awesome!

Smiling for the camera!

We arrived at the park and walked up to the Great Hill.

He looked to his right.

He looked to his left.

Back to the right for another looky-loo.

And stood around some more.

Then went to his favorite protest position when I tried to get him to walk around.

Driving in the fact that he refuses to budge by being dead weight.

It’s true. Our Shiba is a diva. A royal diva pain the the… well, you know.

Then it finally dawned on me. My favorite thing about Shio is that he is unapologetically and brutally honest about everything. I know that dogs aren’t built with the mental capacity to lie but it’s utterly refreshing to know that there is always someone in your life that will always be honest. If Shio wants food, he will follow that little bite of food that you’re holding in your hand with desperate eyes. If he wants you to play he’ll play bow, wag his tail and play bark despite how tired you feel. If he doesn’t want you to hold him, which he never does, he will take all the might in his four paws to push you away and escape.

Now, it sounds like Shio is a very selfish little fur monster with no regard for the way that any one else feels but isn’t that great? He’ll never say, “I’m FINE” and have us guess whether he’s really “fine” or just saying it. We know that he always want to eat and play or when he wants to be left alone. I think we all need honesty like that in our lives.

So what’s your favorite thing about your dog(s)?

Given it’s the middle of winter right now, nobody was there.

As usual, Shio took the liberty of having some “crab-sicles” and even found an escargot… *SIGH*

Interestingly, when I threw his escargot back into the ocean, Shio actually chased after it and got his legs (legs, not just paws) in the water… He was completely shocked — as were we…

Photos taken with GF1, Lumix G VARIO 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6.

Even though we were the only people and dog there at that time, Shio ran until he pooped himself out!

Shio now sits on his butt and waits for his play opponent to bust-a-move before leaving his position. This was a trick shown to him by his friend Grizz.

I dusted off my D700 and took it out for a spin; I forgot how absolute gorgeous the image quality of this camera is.

Photos taken with D700, 24-70mm f/2.8G.

J will update with pictures and videos later tonight.

Nap time for meeeee!