Starfire Shibas

10/31/2023

08/30/2023

07/24/2023

Kojin was a happy boy at the Tacoma Kennel Club show in Graham this weekend. We adored our judge, Sandra Bingham-Porter, who was gracious, patient, and handled him with love, making it easy for him to be a perfect gentleman. He was awarded Reserve Winners Dog.

07/12/2023

Kojin and I had a blast at the Western Washington Summer Cluster!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Laura K Perkinson for giving me the courage to fly (and the guidance not to crash!); Aly Riggins for always being in my corner; Donna Gonzalez for your patience and expert handling advice; Stephanie Koch, Lindsay Ann Thompkins, and Piper Leiper for your amazing tips; Susan Cook and Helen Fukai for your friendship and support; and the Evergreen Shiba Club for the warm welcome and support! ❤

07/02/2023

Pandora's baby floofs playing in the grass, 4 weeks old

06/28/2023

Starfire's Meeting Across the River (3 weeks old). He loves his raccoon!

06/27/2023

Pandora's little floofs, 3 weeks old

06/17/2023

Pandora’s sweet babies are 2 weeks old and are starting to open their eyes. They’re chunky, happy little sheebs.

Sweet little floofs are opening their eyes!

06/05/2023

Meet Pandora’s sweet babies! Born June 3rd, 2023 💕

04/11/2023

Pandora and Kojin are expecting!

02/20/2023

02/10/2023

An FDA investigation has been unable to find a causal link between ingredients in boutique dog foods and nonhereditary canine dilated cardiomyopathy, but the agency continues to encourage research into the issue. The agency has stopped issuing regular updates but will report on any meaningful new sc...

01/30/2023

When we focus on making dogs happy, it’s better for them and us.

01/13/2023

Sometimes new owners tell me getting a puppy was supposed to be fun, but all I feel is stress. Here's what new owners need to remember.

12/23/2022

Mount Fuji, during the Cherry Blossom season 🌸

📷:

12/23/2022

200-year-old cherry tree in Japan

12/19/2022

The Holiday Season is here! Make sure you keep your pets safe this season by looking out for Holiday Hazards that could potentially harm your pet. https://www.akcreunite.org/petholidayhazards/

12/19/2022

How often do I see clients whose dogs have gotten into serious trouble because their owners have allowed, or encouraged interactions that their dogs have absolutely not desired?

Not every dog is cut out for the family BBQ, or being pet by strangers. And not every dog is cut out for the dog park, day care, or on-leash meetings. These dogs will often show their dislike for being placed in these situations by attempting to escape/hide/growl/explode—and if that doesn’t work, they will protect themselves by inflicting damage on the unsuspecting (but should be suspecting!) human, or the curious or pushy dog.

I get that many owners have romantic notions of what dogs should be like, and how they should interact with their environment. I also get that many owners assume that by forcing these interactions that they will improve things. And of course, I get that many owners simply don’t know any better. But here’s the thing, your desires, your ill-advised “fix”, or your lack of knowledge aren’t an excuse. They’re either born of denial and selfishness, or ignorance. And all of these can be worked on, adjusted and made healthy…if healthy is the true goal.

We say we love our dogs so much, and yet time and time again we set them up to fail by placing them in stressful, overwhelming, and fear-inducing situations. If we do indeed love them so deeply, perhaps it’s time we honored who our individual dogs are, what they do and don’t enjoy, and what they are and aren’t capable of. And perhaps top it off by becoming more deeply informed about what we personally do and don’t know…so we can break the chain of messing up the things we claim to love so much.

09/29/2022

HOW MUCH IS A PUPPY?
Let me tell you a few words, yes you the person that emails just to ask the price. The person who calls up and hears the price surprisingly says, "I can get a puppy cheaper somewhere else." I’ll talk to you too; a person who doesn’t care about papers because I want “just a pet”.
No dog is “just a pet”.
Behind every purebred puppy/dog is a BREED. I use capital letters to tell breeder from animal or factory. A reliable breeder does not breed dogs without documents that protect the integrity of the breed.
Registration (papers) are pedigree records, documenting pedigree and finding out possible health problems in your lineage.
When you tell a breeder you don’t care about paper, tell them you don’t really care about the pups health, you just want the cheapest you can find!
If you decide to buy a puppy from a reputable and quality breeder, then this breeder is responsible for the health of each puppy.
This breeder will miss vacations, miss sleep, and most of his personal home space has been turned into dog space. A truly passionate breeder who loves what he breeds, puts his blood into it all his life. Not only for puppies that go on sale but for every customer who has a piece of their heart and is now a member of their extended family. This does not include puppies/dogs who may become ill or need extra help to thrive. Breeders worry about their babies after they leave them and take them back without questions asked.
A breeder gets their hands dirty, often covered with everything that comes with birth. Because that's what life is all about... in the midst of birth and death is life. The wheel that keeps turning. The breeder conducts tests, echos, x-rays, analysis, emergency abortions, vaccinations, registration throws, researches pedigrees, deworming and microchips of their puppies and examines them with specialists.
Last but not least, the breeder CHOOSES for a family who is lucky enough to have one of their puppies. Yes, you are reading that right. A real breeder chooses who he sells to, because he doesn’t make money from sales. There is no compensation that can offset the investments the breeder has made, so they must be able to count on them to be the right choice. Often more than just saying yes...
A good breeder has different criteria for those who want to continue pedigree, why? Since reproduction isn't a duty to be taken lightly, it's a lifestyle choice reserved ONLY for the few dedicated people willing to sacrifice.
Because a dog is never "just a pet"!!! He is a breeder's legacy, little boys best friend, little girls protector, elderly therapy, family member, someone's whole world!!!
Written in part by : Senior. Eduardo Loredo Muller. *Translated to English: Angel Sophia Nogga. * Modified for dogs: Amber French
COPY AND ADD TO YOUR PAGE WITH YOUR PICTURE.
Worth sharing as so much truth in this article. Responsible breeding and owning multiple dogs is a lifestyle and purpose that many fail to comprehend.
7 days a week 365 days a year our lives revolve around dogs

09/04/2022

08/30/2022