Reptile & Amphibian Forums

West Coast Beni is app.10, Kari will be 9 in a few months. I have listened to your advice on knowing when to slow down on walks...Beni has been slowing down. When I came home today Beni was sleeping on the stairs with absolutely no energy at all. Kari was ready to go. I took Kari - we went app. 100 yards. Every 10 - 15 feet she would stop and look back for Beni. At the start of the trail she REFUSED to go on. She pulled me back home with all 20 pounds of her stubborn body. Seriously, guess who was standing at the gate by the door....obviously ...her big boy. We all went out for a short walk with Kari letting Beni lead the way (no joke). They ate their carrot and dinner, and now are resting on their beds...I love them!

P

Patty, between the two of them, they seem to know how to handle their situation.....and you!

Beni was tired, but didn't want to miss out....nice of them to go back for him!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

LOL!! I would never think to take one dog for a walk without the other... not these dogs!!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I learned my lesson....No matter how independent Beni and Kari seem to be they are definitely a pack (with me on a leash so they can make sure I don't get lost)! Thank goodness for our pups that fill our lives with so much entertainment!

Patty

Hmm my 2 nine year olds still act like pups. Everyday at least once a day we have a Shiba 500 in the house and yard.
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David owned by Kona, Kiko & Kaia

Awww that is so sweet! Thanks for sharing!

West Coast Beni's Shiba 500s have turned more into 250s....Kari is holding strong at a fast break 400 then w/i 15 secs. slowing to a 200 as Beni trots around her. Beni is my sumo shiba at 30 lbs....do you think that is why he tires more easily? I think Kari lets him run around her...she is very independent but relies on him in the most loving and basic manner. They are the best!
Patty

I have not noticed a slow down with my 9 year old or 11 year old. Quite the contrary in fact. This winter I made it a point to make sure we got out and did our normal walks in spite of bad weather and in spite of nasty road conditions. We found new trails to use and set lower limits on the temperature requirements. Now my two go on a 2 mile walk in the neighborhood and look at me like they were cheated and they want another lap or two because our normal walk is around 4 miles now on hilly terrain. The only real issues I ever see are Kita (11) tends to get a bit sore if we are forced to walk on pavement too many days in a row. If we are on dirt or grass, she can keep up with the 2 year old Border Collies we are walking with.
Taiko's agility schedule continues to be as normal if not a bit increased since we are getting ready for Nationals in 2 months. He's just as fast on his tenth run of the weekend as his first. So really, age is relative with these guys. This past weekend I entered Taiko as a veteran for the first time in his career and no one believed me he was over 7 years old. They didn't believe me he was 9.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

Sounds like things are going really good, despite the snow that won't give up!

Good to hear from you, Chelle!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy