A Penny for your thoughts...

Penny - Shiba Inu
Sittin' Pretty!

Before I met Penny, my exposure to Shiba Inus was minimal. Only a few came into the shelter when I was working there full time and no one I know has one. But I really liked what I've read about them. They are exceedingly independent, bold and super smart. They require mind engaging training and love to play, play, play! They are also incredibly striking to look at and luxurious to pet with their foxy faces, compact bodies and soft, thick fur.

Before it was just Penny and I, Penny's mom had me come over and meet with them. I was surprised that this pup of such an independent breed played a game of "how many pets can I get" by going from me to her mom to me to her mom while her mom and I sat talking. I even did a trial run... er, walk with her. I goofed and put her harness on backwards but Penny gently let me know right away that something was wrong, so we fixed it. Once it was straightened, she showed off her superb walking.

"Come on! Throw the toy!"

 Our walks are always an adventure! She lives in a neighborhood right by a forest preserve so we see lots of wildlife. There is also a forest trail we walk right by so lots of bikes, other dogs out on walks, kids playing and people are always coming and going. She is the social butterfly of Shibas and wants to meet all the people.  She's always investigating a million and one smells. One time, she dropped face first into the grass and rubbed her face. It was so cute! ...well, "so cute" right up until I noticed the poop smeared along the right side of her face. Yucky! Once home, she sat very still and was excellent for getting her face cleaned off.

One day as Penny and I exited the house, we found a baby squirrel trapped in the yard. It kept trying to climb the wall of the house. Penny wanted to immediately go over and "help" the squirrel, but I didn't think the poor squirrel would be too appreciative of her kind of assistance. After our walk, the squirrel was still there and, upon seeing Penny again, freaked out as it climbed the wall over and over again, only to fall each time. Poor thing! After I got Penny inside, I went over to the wall and held my hoodie under the squirrel catching it when it fell and took it to safety away from Penny's yard. Penny still checks that corner for the squirrel... you know, just in case it comes back.

Penny is super cuddly. She loves getting scritches and pets! She will play keep-away and kill-the-toy with great vigor and gusto all the while wearing that excited Shiba Smile. Then, every once in a while, she runs figure eights throughout the house. She's amazingly fast!! Vroom-vroom!

After the romping, she always comes and gets petted. She occasionally rolls onto her side for belly rubs, which I happily oblige. Then she'll lay beside me or, other times, she'll go find a nice sunny spot and plop down. That way, she'll be well rested for when her mom comes home to give her even more lovin'.