Thursday, October 13, 2011

Random talk

Shiba inu loves fall and winter
I really love this picture I look at it and it shows what I like about fall. Leaves!

Only downside ticks are coming back seems they don't like the dry heat, but now it's getting cooler and wet they're coming back.

I will just have to check Saya even more then usual! I put tick/flea stuff on her, but I still don't trust it plus I feel better if I can get it off right after our walks.. I also check before bed. Crazy, but ah well Saya has learned to tolerate the handling.

Saya after she is done blowing her coat
With this picture it's neat seeing how thin she looks her neck shows more and well now she has her under coat which makes her neck look much thicker then what it is.

She is slowly starting to shed she'll probably be done by the time it gets really cold.



Tuesday, October 11, 2011


Here's a interesting article that goes into about post traumatic stress for dogs that come from puppy mills. Puppy mills leave lasting emotional scars, study finds.

Thanks to midranger4 from shiba inu forums.

 I've never owned a puppy mill dog  so can't say for sure on my experiences, but it does make sense.

 It also makes sense even when the mill is clean the dog still suffers mentally because even though where it lives is clean and it has food water and vet care the dog still has many needs not being met.

They are still in small living conditions, no exercise except for pacing in the cage or spinning in circle, and no socialization or human interactions.

Even if a mill is clean that doesn't make it right how on earth is a breeder able to give the dog a healthy happy life with they own 50 or 200 dogs or so!

Just doesn't seem right. I hope one day in the future mills will be shut down there's too many dogs in the shelter to get one from a mill.

If you want one from a breeder don't be impatient take your time researching the breeder and meeting them and their dogs.

No puppy mill get their puppies from good breeder because who in right mind would send their puppies off to some store to be sold to people they don't even know!


A good breeder should care for their dogs, should only have an amount they can take care of without cutting corners, they should feed their dogs decent quaility kibble, home cooked diet or raw diet.

Health testing is important too.

A good breeder doesn't always have to show their dog it's a plus though, but some breeders work their dogs through agility, nose work, hunting and so on. depending on the breed.



One shouldn't rush into things it might be a great idea at the time, but later you might regret it.

Initial price from a good breeder can be high sometimes, but in the end it usually works out for the better because a good breeder who puts in time to socialize and expose their puppies to different things before they go to their homes makes a difference.

Coarse the breeder selling the dog for highest price is not always better either. If you can try to visit them yourself to see how they do things and ask as many questions as you want to. 


The breeder should ask you questions too because you might bring home one of their pups so the breeder will want to be sure your ready for a boxer, shiba, akita, husky, lab or whatever breed you are getting..

I hope I covered everything and sorry if it's written sloppy.. :\

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Benefits of coconut oil?

Coconut oil
I have been reading different articles and posts made by dog owners about coconut oil it supposed to be really good for dogs and humans. I decided to try it got one from walmart it's organic and virgin all that stuff.

It's best to get the cold pressed, unrefined, virgin and ideally, organic oil.

Brands that contain hexane is not good because it's a chemical used in mechanical extraction process I'm not sure why, but I prefer the cold pressed and organic is always good..

The one I bought is from walmart it's $10 forgot how much it had, but I tried a little bit of it and it tasted good had a hint of coconut in it. The one at walmart I found in the vitamin section.

Here's a few links with benefits of coconut oil
Coconut oil - All is Well

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/coconut-oil-benefits_b_821453.html?

Nice video on the benefit of coconut oil

E how What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Dogs?

The Health Benefits Of Coconut Oil

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/coconut-oil-benefits.html

Apparently can be used as toothpaste on your dogs toothbrush, it improves digestion and nutrient absorption, helps control body and breath odor, aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis, contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease, prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida, promotes normal thyroid function, helps prevent or control diabetes, aids in arthritis relief, reduces allergic reactions, improves skin health and hair condition, disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing, and is an antioxidant, 50 times more potent than Vitamin E

According to this site and few others.


"Dogs usually like the taste of coconut oil, so it can be added to their food at any meal. Some dog parents just let their dogs lick the oil off from a spoon. How much coconut oil to give to a dog depends on the size and health condition of the dog, As a general guideline, give about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight per day. However, remember not to start with the suggested amount. You need to add coconut oil to your dog's diet a little at a time in divided doses. Because coconut oil kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi, the burden of removing dead organisms can trigger symptoms of detoxification. Too much coconut oil at a time may also cause diarrhea and greasy stools in dogs. As a start, try giving 1/4 teaspoon/day for small dogs or puppies and 1 teaspoon for large dogs, and gradually increase the amount every few days. Reduce the amount if your dog has diarrhea."

Here is Dr. Karen Becker video on coconut oil.



I'm not sure if the benefits is true or not, but worth a shot. Saya likes the taste and coarse Bella likes anything I give to her.

I plan to slowly work up both dogs and myself to the amount we need..

I'll probably use it for fruit smoothies for myself. Saya ate it off my finger with no issue sniffed it for a second and then licked it right up usually it takes her longer to like new things.

I plan to buy the Nutiva brand to try next seems good for the price.

nutiva coconut oil from amazon 

The Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 29-Ounce Jars (Pack of 2) seems to be a good price for amount you get..


I found the one in walmart in the vitamin section and I believe GNC has it probably any vitamin shop or health food store will have it.

Just be sure it's the virgin, organic and unrefined kind. Refined kind might have chlorine and hexane.

I rather get the unrefined kind better be safe then sorry.

I'll post more if I find anything different from adding this to me and the dogs diet..

Spectrum naturals is another brand someone on the dog forum I go to use and it seems like good brand too.

I guess any brand is good as long as it's the right kind.

I'll be sure to slowly introduce it to see how it goes.

I might try making brownies with it or a stir fry might be good.

I'm not saying to go out and buy coconut oil and give to your dog I'm just writing this because I found it interesting.

Saya only gets vitamin E twice a week, cranimal very berry and vibe every day and sometimes I skip a day, but I try to give it every day.

She doesn't get fish oil because Saya gets raw smelt, saury, and caned sardines, mackerel and salmon she also gets raw mackerel sometimes, but I haven't gotten any more right now.

So I feel she is fine and don't need fish or salmon oil supplemented.

I plan to try this coconut oil to see how it goes.

I'm not sure if coconut oil would replace fish oil? I know they both have different vitamins and minerals or whatever so I'd probably give one one day and one the other or something like that I wouldn't replace one for the other.

The coconut flakes in backing section is most likely not good for dogs has sugar added to it. I'm sure health food places have coconut flakes natural and not sugar added.
I plan to also try Green Lipped Mussel Powder supposed to be good for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bursitis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Sports Related Injuries, Lyme Disease, Inflammatory Skin Conditions, and Connective Tissue Repair.

I got this info from hare-today.com website they recently just started carrying this.

I think any health food place would sell it and human grade would be fine coarse I'll check to be sure.

I plan to check it out soon to see if they got it.

I think this would also be a good supplement for Saya.

She is actually doing much better energy and health wise and she seems to be even spunkier and more happy lately.

Well before she was happy, but it seems she is even more playful. Maybe it's the coming of fall and winter that got her so energized over it.

Well I'm off to bed I'll be sure to say if I notice anything with her fur, teeth or whatever.
Saya says"Good night and hurry up and turn the lights off!

I added this link to the whole dog journal with info on coconut oil pretty much same info..

whole dog journal on coconut oil


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Do shiba inu shed?

Saya's wig
I always get asked do shiba shed or how much do they shed. I really need to print these pictures out to show people asking these questions. lol



This is Saya's coat blow in spring it's her winter coat so it's a lot of fur.
I kept the blown fur after each brushing in a ziplock bag and saved it. OMG It's soft who knows I might have it made into yarn.

My mom is good at knitting so she could knit me a shiba scarf. :D

Coarse I dunno if this is worthy of making yarn I'm sure it needs be a certain length I dunno the details.
Saya before I added the fur.