Nothing Fancy: Shisa Dog

Have you heard? We got a dog! Like a month and a half ago. I decided while Zac was gone that it would be nice to have another warm body in the house. When I went to visit him in Singapore, we discussed it and he agreed that that'd be fine. So I scoured the local "craig's list," OkinawaYardSales. And one day little Shisa popped up (well, her name then was Tootie...do you blame me for changing it?).

It was a great fit. Yorkie for my allergies. Small for the apartment. Still a puppy (she was about 8 months when we got her). Well tempered. Doesn't bark. Very friendly.

The first couple of weeks were a little rough. I was attempting to house break the little thing by myself...Zac still wasn't home. Please note, the only other dog I've ever had was Kippie, our old miniature dachshund. I was less than 1 year old when my family got her. Needless to say, my house-breaking skills were non-existent. Zac came home a week or so later, which was another adjustment combining our "parenting styles."

When we were thinking of names (back in Singapore), we wanted something Japanese, but neither of us really know any Japanese. So we were limited to Sushi, Nigiri, Sashimi...Then we came up with Shisa, which are little dog/lions that sit in front of almost all entrances/buildings here on Okinawa. They are usually two: one with its mouth open to catch the evil spirits and one closed to keep the happy spirits in the building. They are a guardian dog of sorts. So now we have our own little Shisa dog. Guardian of our house to bring us good fortune.

But this little firecracker wouldn't do much against an evil spirit (or bad guy) other than jump on it. Her bite is way worse than her bark...because she doesn't bark. Hardly makes a peep. Sometimes she'll whimper a bit. And she growls like Chewbacca when playing tug of war with her monkey toy.

She's quite spunky and playful and loves to play and cuddle (she's curled up in the nook of my arm as I write). I don't know if it's a puppy thing or a little dog thing, but she's easily distracted. For example, when we're out for a "potty walk," if the wind blows too hard or a car drives by, she'll lose her "bathroom focus." She wouldn't hurt a fly, but does like to chase the pigeons. And she loves to give Zac a high five when he gets home from work.

I was going to wait until she got a haircut to post pics, but it looks like that will never happen. So here she is, shaggy and all!