Madison shiba picnic 2012

Saya loves staying at hotels

Saturday 18th we went to Madison WI for a shiba picnic I'm from Lafayette, IN so it was a good drive about 4hours maybe bit more.

Event went well and Saya met some shiba inu and enjoyed the event. She was bit snarky at this event last year she growled to tell dogs to back off if they were too much for her now she did it just being to close.

I need work with her to get her used to dogs more so she knows not all are going to hurt her like the lab, husky and pit.. I dunno if it's way she walks or if the dogs know she is weak or what..

Dogs at the dog park always seem to sniff her more then Bella or other dogs which is odd. She hates to be sniffed for long periods of time. I find quick greetings she prefers.. I dunno just guessing.

Maybe since she is raw fed the dogs smell she eats different food or she smells different due to her diet? I dunno..

Anyways back to the meet up.

One of the raffle items they had cream ones not sure on red ones maybe.. It's from Inaridou's (soft) shiba kennel

Cute shiba artwork for auction

I loved the items at auction  I wished I bid on more stuff, but I didn't want to not enough room for the artwork and I'm not into jewelry.

 I wanted the blanket and the red shiba art, but thought I'd just get fox artwork and some dog car seat thing..

Guts the shiba from shibaforums

Handsome red shiba.

Guts and Gidget

Rowdy B&T shiba pups

These two B&T pups played so rough they had to be separated for a bit.

Shiba play so rough probably why so many owners are scared of shiba

When I say afraid many people at my dog park would get concerned over Saya's playstyle they thought she was being mean.. At that time she was friendly to all good dogs. Sadly she isn't like that anymore due to bad incidents with dog owners who don't belong at a dog park.

She takes while to get used to new dogs, but shiba inu she seems to do better with then other breeds.

She played with some for a bit which for other dogs usually take two or three meetings before she feels comfy enough to play.

This shiba here loved getting attention loved pets. Beautiful red shiba. :)

Gin red girl shiba, Koshi Shikoku girl, and Levi Sesami shiba

This is my third time meeting these dogs and their owners. I really love the three and enjoy talking with them. :)

Levi looks happy

Gin has such cute expressions she is such a sweet shiba girl.

Lucy

Saya met Lucy last year at the meetup in 2011. She is such a cute red shiba girl. :)

Lucy and Saya in 2011

Saya did really good with Lucy actually.

When Saya played with the group of shiba inu it happened quick it was hard for me to tell who she was tangoing with, but still nice she played nice for a bit though she did get snarky some.. :\

Ah well. She seems to have a smaller space bubble this year then in 2011. I hope she will do better in 2013. I plan on working with her I'd like for her to be able to enter the dog park so she can play off leash with the shiba inu.

Here's me posing with Gin in 2011 She was such nice shiba Saya didn't mind her since she didn't attempt to sniff her much.

This is Mika I believe Saya got a bit snarky with greeting her. :\

Maybe next year she'll do better with her. I guess one good thing with snarky shiba they don't seem to try hurt each other much mostly loud noises and scary faces.

Guts and Gidget

I love Gidget's ruffwear harness I tried one on Saya and she doesn't like it. She doesn't like most harness probably due to her spinal issue. I don't mind she does well on collar doesn't slip out or pull to much.

Stick?

Guts

There was only one cream shiba inu there last year there was two or three I forgot. I think this one was same one last year maybe not I forgot to talk to the owner.

The other cream was from long ways away.

demanding for attention

Despite her defensiveness I think she feels more comfortable this year at the meet up then last year. She drank water no problem. She won't drink water at the dog park due to not feeling so comfy..

I'm glad she loves going to the meet up. At least on raw diet she gets a lot of moisture in her diet so could be why she doesn't drink so much..

Items I got from auction a very nice fox artwork and dog car cushion thing.. Also got couple coupons for kong products save 2$ and cards to the artist of the items up for auction.

Saya found a leaf!

Shiba spots Saya.

Saya has such a thick fluffy neck. :)

Saya found this hole and was interested in it.

Puppy learning the leash isn't so bad. The pup did buck and got a bit mad at the leash, but once the kid followed the pup things was good.

Saya was same way as a puppy I followed her mostly and used a treat to get her to follow me and stuff.

End of my picture fest. I had a wonderful time and hope to go next year. There will be a boxer bash in September we might go to that next year too I hope it would be fun. they did lure coursing last time I heard about it I think so that would be fun Bella has good prey drive. Saya does too.

Groundhog captured

Saya focused on the critter in the trap

Being in the country is great some downfalls are critters like groundhogs and rabbits eating up gardens. Deer too they sometimes try it. Pepper spray I use works great stops them from eating things.

Groundhog went crazy for the tomatoes. It would take a bite out of one get another tomato and the mess was annoying good tomatoes ruin because he bitten them I mean if your going to take my tomatoes eat the whole thing!

I never sprayed pepper spray stuff because nothing ate it till now.

I barrowed a live trap to use and barricaded the shed where the groundhog was living under.

I left only one openning and the trap with couple tomatoes and carrot to lure the thief in.

I checked trap each day so to not leave chance of him getting in it and starving.

The groundhog was cute of coarse like the one on groundhog day, but it had to go I love tomatoes and homegrown ones taste great..

I moved the trap to the middle of the garden and allowed Saya to check it out.

She does a good job with chasing rabbits out of the garden and listens to me to come when called.

I don't think I'd want her to tango with a groundhog since they're very powerful creatures.

Their head is so darn thick, got big teeth, and powerful bite I'm sure.

I wanted Saya to familiarize with the scent so she knows it and I worked with her for while to work with leave it and come.

I'm hoping with that training she'll get it and come when called if she goes after scent or sees it.

Don't want her getting hurt she is a tough shiba, but I dunno especially since she never had an encounter with a groundhog before.

She wagged her tail and acted like she wanted to be friendly with it like she does with our cats.
I thought she'd be bit more not friendly with it since she is pretty prey driven and has chased rabbits and stuff, but maybe if it was loose and running off she'd be more likely to treat it as prey. I dunno.

She circled the trap and when ever she got close to the groundhog it would charge at her, growl at her and Saya got a bit pissed and growled and barked at the groundhog.

She didn't back off when it charged at her she backed to get away from it, but she went right back to the trap.

Where ever she moved the groundhog turned to face her.

Saya really enjoyed the encounter though she made bunch crazy shiba noises from growls, barking, baying type bark, yodeling, and screaming.

She actually did good when I told her to come she came right to me got her treat and I gave her the OK to check it out again and did come again. I tried to space it out so I wasn't constantly calling her to come.

I enjoy being out in the country and I think it's reason why Saya does so well off leash she gets opportunity to do it often. coarse she is supervised never left alone when off leash.

I have no fence due to big yard..

As long she sticks in the yard and if she chases the rabbits off the yard she comes back she is allowed freedom.

I'm surprised how well she has done with rabbits she chases them and returns right to me when I call her or if they run too far or into high grass she heads back to me.

I had her off leash in the field once and a small rabbit was in the trail she saw it and I told her leave it and told her to come on lets go home. We were heading home after spending enough time in the trails. She followed me right with me. I was so happy she got tons of yummy treats for listening.

I still don't think shiba inu make good off leash dogs I'd hate for someone's dog get lost and not coming back.. They are prey driven and well a dog with shibatude.

Maybe it depends on the dog, or breeder who breeds for it, or way it was raised..

I really think being in country is what made Saya good off leash coarse I didn't let her have freedom as a pup I had her on a long leash and increased her freedom as she did better.

Coarse I'm no shiba or dog expert..

I work with her from a 8week old pup on her name, focus on me and coming on command.

I do a bit training each day too if it's raining I do it inside from room to room I call her and sometimes play hide and seek inside.

I plan do hide and seek outside now that the weather has cooled a little bit.

I'll post another day on groundhog gotten some day pictures..

1gallon of coconut oil incomming!

I gotten a free blog coconut oil to review and I like it's flavor so I ordered a 1gal of it since it is on sale for $65 versus $120 the sale is going on untill August 16th.

Here's the link to the site
Coconut oil

Some reviews on amazon says it has a bad smell or taste.. I don't know what they're talking about maybe they got a bad batch.. The site has a 30day return policy so..

The Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil I got taste and smells just fine. I got the 1quart kind..

I've been putting it in my smoothies, on toast with some honey, and Saya coarse gets a little she loves it. I've also cooked veggies with coconut oil not bad and eggs for breakfast.. hehe

I'm hoping to try more things with it now I got ton of it..

Post I did on benefits of coconut oil Saya does love coco nut oil now with this much of it I can give it more often she gets about two teaspoons of it.

If your dog never had coconut oil be sure to give small amounts and work up to amount the dog gets..

I believe 1 teaspoon for every 10lbs is what most sites say for dogs.

Special Price! Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label - 1 gallon





 “If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.”

On another note we got some much needed rain! well week or so ago. The grass has greened up so nicely I love it!

August 4th meat haul

Saturday August 4th I went to the farmer's market and got Saya couple things, went to Asian market, and Marsh grocery store too.

I bought beef tongue and lamb ribs at the farmer's market, two packs of Pacific Saury, one pack of mackerel, and dried anchovy, I got pack of pork chops and pork shoulder roast at the grocery store it was on a decent sale and I needed pork anyways.

Everything here cost me $61.49 which I think is decent for what I got.

Weight on everything is about 289.71oz.

Lamb rib weighed 2.23lbs, beef tongue 1.69lbs, two Saury weighed18.34oz each, mackerel weighed 14.01oz, pork chops weighed 87.52oz and pork shoulder roast weighed 88.78oz. or something like that..

These fish have their heads and organs too which is a bonus they also have same fish gutted and no heads. I get these since they have extra goodies in them Saya seems like the organs too.

She sometimes eat the who fish or she'll leave the head part for another time when ever she eats it she will usually start with the tail and eat to the head or she'll eat from the stomach area then tail and head.

When she was pretty new to raw she was used to chicken, pork, beef liver and kidney I got these fish for her she was in a picky phase and it took her a while to get used to it. I mean it's much different then a piece of liver or boneless pork and so on..

She would usually lick it a lot and then just eat tiny bit and not want anymore I just bagged up and put in the freezer for next time and she eventually got the taste for it. Now she loves the fish. 

She also used to not like to eat it's head for the longest time I had to put a bit of peanut butter on the head to convince her to eat the fish's head. lol

So glad she eats the head no issue.

The mackerel has it's head, but no guts it comes with two mackerel in the pack. I love how much variety the Asian market it's mostly with fish, squid, octopus, they do have pork and beef, but none of the meat is what I'd want..

The fish is sold at good prices.. $5 and some change for a pack of four pacific saury..

They also sale kimchi, dried squid, shrimp, pollock, anchovy, dried seaweed, fresh seaweed or whatever, and variety of miso, tofu, rice, and various sauces and cooking items.

I had mom get some seaweed so we can put it in the miso soup when we make it.
The soup tasted good with it in it usually we put spinach instead since normal stores don't have it.

I never new the place had it, but who knows maybe I wasn't looking good enough.

Beef tongue! I had some in the freeze, but was getting low so I got one I have plenty of heart on beef and lamb..

Not much to say on it except Saya used to not like beef tongue when she was new to raw she would lick it take a exploratory bite to see if it was good and she didn't seem to like it.

She did same with beef heart so maybe it was a texture thing plus could be because I gave her the whole beef tongue to mess with she might been overwhelmed by it's size. haha

I kept offering the tongue and heart and in snack sizes frozen she seemed to eat heart and tongue bit better frozen.

Now she eats it frozen, thawed or cooked she don't care anymore which is good.

I got lamb ribs from the farmer I usually get them from a butcher and they're usually smaller..

I forgot how much it cost for the ribs it cost me $17 for the ribs and beef tongue so maybe it was $14 or something? I dunno. I need write down price of each item next time.

I plan to try keep better track of what I buy so I can post how much I spend each month.

I cut each rib so she each gets one rib as part of a meal.. I'll give it with boneless meat or organ or something.

She loves lamb ribs. :)

One farmer at the farmer's market will have ewe soon which is nice it's an adult female sheep I believe might be wrong..

She has liver, tongue, kidneys, and heart plus ground meat of it. I'll probably get some she is selling it at a good price.

Unfortunately with this dry weather farmer's been having issues with crops which isn't good. :\

The farmer with the ewe had issue with a weasel getting into the chicken coop and killing some of the chickens and got some of the ducks too.

I hope they can weasal proof the coop..

One thing about having chickens they do bring in predators.

Saya's pork chops. :)

I got it all cut up and portioned into meal size or half meal size..

I portioned everything and put them in big ziplock bags in the freezer in a way they don't touch so once they're completely frozen I can just take one small one or big meat to thaw.
It's a bit of work, but I don't mind.

Here's a picture how I do it it took two big bags and three little bags to do it. Once it all froze completely I put all the meat in one ziplock bag.

Here's her pork shoulder roast I doesn't have skin on it like the one I got last time, but it's still nice. When I first got pork shoulder roast this is the kind I usually get sometimes it'd have tiny bit of skin on it sometimes not.

One I got that had a lot of skin was a big pork shoulder roast it didn't even fit in ziplock bags I have.. Luckily I keep the plastic bags that the farmer's use to put the veggies in when selling them. It was big enough for it..

I like the skin because it makes it harder to get to the meat and is very chewy and good for the teeth, but this pork roast provides a good work out too.

Here is the big pork shoulder roast. It was huge lasted Saya for long time.

Bite marks from Saya.

She eventually got through the skin of coarse she ate from the bottom where the meat is and worked on the skin and stuff.

People ask is it ok to feed something that has been thawed and frozen multiple times? This roast is way to big for her to eat in one or two times.. It took her long time to finish it.

I first gave her the pork roast in 10/03/2011 and her last meal of it was 5/15/2012.

I so wish I bought two of them when they had that sale.. 88cents lb is a good deal or maybe it was 99cents lb either way good deal..

Here's what it looked like after Saya grind up some bone on the jointed parts..

The meat didn't seem to go bad from thawing and refreezing no smell or anything I thawed it and fed it and put back in freeze once she was done with it. 

I won't be getting anything till my chicken feet from the farmer. Hope to get lots of them.