Koo-Koo for Krazy Kismet!

   Lacey (Allyson's cat) thoughtfully sent some gifts for lil' Kismet. Kismet likes toys. Especially when they make intriguing noises like squeaking or crackling, move around, or have animal parts like feathers. So Lacey pretty much chose the best stuff ever. Judging from Kismet's reaction to the crackle tunnel, I may have my very own Maru!

   But Kismet isn't the only one who's koo-koo around here... Of course, Aki wasn't able to resist the squeaking mouse. Pretty sure she thinks it's a real, live mouse (the crazed, toothy smile gives it away), so I'll have to guard it carefully!

Kitsune!!!

   I finally posted a few photos (and a video!) from Mary Jane & Kit's visit to our house. A good time was had by all...

Meet Kit

   My friend & fellow MSIR volunteer (Midwest Shiba Inu Rescue) Mary Jane came over this afternoon to show off her new puppy. Kitsune ("Kit", for short) came into rescue and is what's affectionately known as a "failed foster"... MJ couldn't let him go! She got a real gem: he is friendly and confident, but not dominant, and plays very well with others, as these images can attest. My mom and I, and my dogs, had a blast getting to see him!

Back it up, there, Kit... beep beep beep

That's better, but hold still, willya?!

Stalking Aki

The chase is on!

Aki's in the lead...

Kit is catching up...

And meanwhile, Mr. Tay puts the moves on MJ...

Kit: Let's PLAY!!!
Aki: Sorry, kid. We're pooped!
Taylor: Zzzzzzzzz

Dog Park Fun with Friends

   Brett met me at Stoll Park tonight, to give my pups a good, long romp before I leave for San Francisco for a few days. He brought his pup, Sam, and his kids, Shane & Jenna. My pups had never met the kids before, but they were pretty much enthralled by all the extra attention.

Shane worked on getting Aki to jump...

And, WOW! What a jump!

Jenna sweet-talked Aki into a high-five:

Shane caught it on camera:

And then Mr. Tay moved in...

Tell me this isn't the happiest dog you've ever seen:

Mobbed for treats:

Run, Shibas, Run!

But watch out for that spiky tree!!! (A honey locust...?)

And watch out for that wild boxer!

And even wilder Wheatie!

   Okay. We all know kids and poodles and Shibas are cute—but ALL of us were upstaged by a lil' man named Porter. He's an 8-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog: ten pounds of adorableness.

He was a little hard to photograph: always moving!

All the dogs were jealous.

Off into the sunset...

And again I have to ask, this is March?! Are we sure? 'Cause it's almost 70 degrees. Where is the proverbial lion?

Dog Parking Lot

   It was over 60 degrees today (had to check the calendar... Yep, still February!). So I took the beasts to Stoll Park for an afternoon romp, hoping to burn off some of their beastly energy. Seriously, this month off of my feet has been trying in many ways, not the least of which being that bored dogs will follow trouble anywhere they can find it.
   About 100 other dog owners had the same idea, including our friends Traci & Pete, with Shiba Rinni, and SEVEN other Shiba owners... TEN Shibas in all! I've never seen so many at the park at once, other than an organized meetup! (Unfortunately most were young dogs from "breeders"... when will people learn?!)
   Taylor was in rare form and raced around like an idiot for over an hour. All I saw was a whirling blur, like a canine Tasmanian devil. Aki seemed to enjoy herself, too, and I think a bit of sunshine and fresh air was good for me.

Stopping for a second for some attention

Aki, Rinni, and Taylor

Dog Mafia

   The all-too-familiar look, as they stalk me around the house: "We know you're (sick/busy/tired/etc.) but it's time for you to take us to the dog park."

MSIR Raven, My Current Foster

   Raven is a happy, fun, energetic girl who aims to please. (When you ask her to sit, she gets SO EXCITED to show you that she can do it, that she prances with her front feet and wags her tail!) She would like a family who has time to play and romp with her, and she'll pay you back with kisses and snuggling in your lap. She's furrier and lankier than most Shibas, but I think you'll agree, equally cute!

I've been tricked!

   Tonight after my swim lesson I stopped at the store, then came home to assemble a nice plate of food. I headed out on the deck to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. The dogs joined me outside. The sun was setting and it was a little cooler, and actually quite pleasant. (Any lingering unpleasantries would soon be erased by wine.)

   I sipped and enjoyed some cheeses and crackers. Aki ran up to me and dropped the wiffle ball at my feet. I flung it toward the far corner of the yard. (A little crab on the next cracker...)

   Aki hurried back excitedly with the ball and tossed it at me. I threw it again, as hard as I could. She flew after it. She looked so happy. (Another sip of wine. Some cheese? A slice of salami? Don't mind if I do...) She scooped it up and raced back to me.

   This time I stood and walked down the couple of steps, and really put some heat on it. Aki was really enjoying herself!

   And apparently so was Taylor. As I turned to head back up the steps I saw him in my chair, polishing off the last of the good stuff, leaving only a spread of blank crackers on the plate. I'd been had.

   It seemed so perfectly orchestrated that I almost think they planned it out in advance, like a couple of wolves. Or velociraptors. Who says dogs are dumb?

G1988: Opening Tomorrow!

Only in Kansas City...

   ...Can you get the greatest-ever gourmet ice cream from Christopher Elbow's Glacé, and sit outside on the patio enjoying the perfect weather (and letting your Shiba Inu lick the bowls... they dig the goat cheese and honey, as well as the salted pretzel varieties):

   Then head over to the Nelson-Atkins for a cool-slash-creepy walk around the sculpture garden at night, with the reflection of the classical architecture in the pools, the Bloch building glowing from within, the Oldenburg Shuttlecocks, and the grove of gingkos:

   Then catch the end of Macbeth being performed live at Southmoreland Park. The funny story behind this shot is that we were walking along the south side of the museum and were approached by two friendly but very drunk young guys on bikes. We chatted a bit and then moved on. As we approached the museum, we heard what sounded like a bunch of loud teenagers chanting and holding a seance. It sounded especially creepy in the dark. Dad & Lindsey ventured a little closer to investigate, and discovered that it was simply a theater in the park production! So we stopped for a bit to watch the end. The stage, lights, and smoke effects were great—definitely worth returning to see the whole show!

   Between all this and the annual Dog-n-Jog event, and the always-awesome brunch at Eggtc., today has been absolutely packed...

PLAY BALL!!!

throw it! throw it!!!

hey—throw it again!

here, I brought it back for you to throw...

Flying Aki!

(note: Taylor was lying in the grass on his side while this was going on; he's probably still recovering from stealing my chicken dinner off my plate last night. Serves him right!)