Shiba Inus- Big Dog in a Little Dogs Body

A Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog breed that looks like a miniature Akita. The name means Little Brush-Wood Dog in Japanese. These dogs were originally used for hunting; specifically, to flush out birds and small animals from low brush in the woods.

We acquired our Shiba as a Grand-dog. Our son was in college, and his apartment building was being sold. The new landlord forbade pets. I remember to this day the tearful phone call as he pleaded us to take the dog temporarily. Mom, its only until I graduate from college! That was in 1999, and he graduated in 2000. We still have the dog, named Ohinnea, but known to everyone as Honey.

If you are looking for a canine companion who will follow your commands without question, and will try to please you, better look for another breed of dog. Shiba Inus require an owner with much patience, understanding, love and a stronger will.

The Shiba Inu is not your average dog. It is not normally compliant and obedient, like, for example, a German Shepherd. They have bad habits, such as charging the door when it is open and running outside and tearing and shredding things to make a sleeping nest- anything from an old blanket to my husbands $200 sleeping bag! They dont like to be fenced in, and will tunnel under your fences and landscape your yard with craters in an attempt to run freely around the neighborhood. They are usually not good with other dogs, even other Shibas, wanting to be only children. The Shiba understands I, me, my, and mine. To the Shiba, every member of the household in which it lives is a member of the dogs pack, and he/she is the Alpha Dog! Shibas are actually better around cats, as many Shibas think they ARE cats! These little dogs have great stamina and courage but rarely get taller than 15.5" at the shoulder and weigh in at under 30 lbs. 20 to 25 lbs. is average for a male. The females are generally smaller than males by 1" or 2".

Shibas can rightfully be described as sturdy, healthy little dogs, able to withstand the rigors of outdoor life as well as enjoying the comfort of indoor dwelling. However, they are prone to skin allergies, and can contract a horrible case of allergic dermatitis from the bite of one flea. So, flea control is essential to keeping this breed healthy. Our dog requires a diet of a lamb and rice based dog food, since certain commercial dog foods also trigger the dermatitis. Once started, the dermatitis is responsive to treatment with a course of doggie penicillin, doggie prednisone, and a sulfur-based dip, that Honey hates like the plague, and that makes her smell like rotten eggs. Older Shibas are also prone to hip dysplasia, making it difficult and painful for them to walk.

Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems!

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Dottye Blake is a Realtor in Central Florida, and a wife, mother and grandmother. She is the published author of a book and several short stories, songs, articles and poems.

The Royal Shih Tzu It's Origins and Characteristics

The Shih Tzu (pronounced Sheet-sue) has a lot of spunk and is a very alert and resilient dog. Like all dogs in the Toy dog group, Shih Tzus have a lot of character and are courageous for their size. Throughout history they were raised as pampered pooches in the Imperial Chinese Court. Bred in the forbidden city of Peking, the Shih Tzu didnt leave China until the early 20th century when they first appeared in Britain. Today they are a popular breed worldwide.

Shih Tzus are good watchdogs and eagerly alert their owners to the approach of strangers. He does enjoy barking, but rarely does so without reason. He is very clever and responds well to persistent training. Without training the Shih Tzu will become extremely overprotective of their owner and aggressive towards other people.

Children and Shih Tzus get along famously as long as the child understands how to play with the dog. A Shih Tzu will not tolerate teasing young children and will snap at them. The Shih doesnt mind the presence of other family pets, but his true joy is when he is in the company of his human family.

One of the aspects about Shih Tzus that surprise many owners is the fact that this breed is very active despite his small size. At his tallest, the Shih Tzu only stands 11 inches, and weighs no more than 16 pounds. Nevertheless, although this breed can be really active when it wants to be, they can also be quite lazy and will lie in their favorite spots whenever they have the chance. Therefore, it is important that the Shih Tzu receives the exercise he needs to make sure he doesnt become overweight.

Due to the fact that Shih Tzus are small dogs and they are relatively inactive indoors, they make fantastic apartment dogs and wonderful dogs for seniors. Furthermore, the Shih Tzu is an ideal dog for anyone who has allergies as his coat does not shed. Of course, the down side to most non shedding dog is the required daily grooming of their coat the Shih Tzu is no exception.

The Shihs coat is available in almost every color and bi-color combination. If kept long, the coat will need to be brushed a few times a day to keep it free from mats. His eyes will need to be cleaned to discourage the build up of discharge that can lead to eye infections. The owner will also need to make sure the hair on top of the Shih Tzus head is kept tied up and out of the dogs eyes to avoid aggravating them. The Shih Tzu should have a bath every month, and should be trimmed every few months to keep the desired look.

As with any pet, owning a dog is a huge commitment that must be met for the entire life of a dog. The average lifespan of a Shih Tzu is 15 years or more. Considering he has a decent life expectancy for a canine, it should come as no surprise that this breed does not suffer any major hereditary health defects. Nevertheless, no dog is perfect. The Shih Tzu is still susceptible to illnesses. The health issues that appear to be the most common in the breed include ear, eye, respiratory, back and teeth problems.

The Shih Tzu will bring plenty of joy and happiness to anyone willing to share their life and affection with this regal and loving dog.

Richard Cussons cares about dogs of all breeds and the Shih Tzu in particular. You can find out more about Shih Tzus at http://www.shihtzusavvy.com/.

What God Expects From You

Rush hour commutes, soccer practice for the kids, extra work from the office and the everyday demands of live in a culture awash in activities and time demands is posing a serious dilemma for churches across the country.

People are so busy that they simply don't have time to serve on church committees or work in church service projects.

How much do you care about the church?

About Gods people? How much of your time is spent helping givingpraying for your church? A lot of people give money to the church but much less give themselves.

There are a lot of reasons that move people to give to the church. I know that some people give as a write-off so that they will get a break on the taxes they pay to the government. If that is your only motive for giving, it is not a proper one.

A tax write-off is just not enough. That is not going to help you any with God.

Some people give to the church to gain a reputation for giving.

The Bible truth of the matter is that God really isn't interested in our money. Oh, don't get me wrong. The Bible says we are supposed to give. But it's our heart condition that God is most interested in.

In fact, even more than money, he wants us to give our time, our prayers and our service to the institution he's created to be his hands and feet on this earth: The church.

There are Bible stories galore about the consequences of not supporting the church.

It is striking that the very first death recorded in the church occurred when a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, decided they would gain a reputation for giving that they did not really deserve.

In the fifth chapter of Acts we read that other people were giving property. This couple thought they would get in on the honor and prestige that was being heaped on those who generously gave, so they gave some of the proceeds from tome land they sold.

But they pretended that they gave all of it when they really did not.

When the Holy Spirit dealt with that hypocritical kind of giving he dealt very severely with it.

Some people give because they were afraid of dying and they want to make Brownie points with God.

There have been people who give hundreds of thousands of dollars because they felt it would help them in their standing before God at the judgment seat. But they were not giving to help the cause of God or the church. They gave because they thought they could buy Gods favor.

All these are wrong motives.

When it comes to giving, motive is more important than the amount.

God is not so interested in how much you give the church, but why you give. Do you love the church? Thats the example we have from Christ.

More than 24 million seniors collectively volunteer 6 billion hours each year in the United States. Researchers at the University of Michigan recently discovered that the survival rate of seniors who volunteered 40 or more hours a year for a single cause was 40 percent greater than that of non-volunteers.

"Seniors who volunteer say it improves their health, life satisfaction, and social well-being," says Donna Thurmond, director of Senior Services for Volunteers of America.

So helping others and serving as Jesus commands us to do is not only a good thing to do, it's good for us. In fact, we were all created with a desire to serve. That's why it feels so good when we do so, because it's what we were made to do.

But the real reason we serve is because that is what Jesus did. that's the example he lefty us in the Bible.

We know it as the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you'd have them do to you.

Mike Fletcher publishes the Online Christian Shopper (http://www.onlinechristianshopper.com), which specializes in evangelism products like Christian T-Shirts and Christian jewelry.