Yoshiro: Shiba Inu

Yoshi: Big in Kyrgyzstan?

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered the absolute weirdest thing. I was searching around on eBay, and found that Yoshi is pictured on a set of (likely fake) postage stamps that were supposedly issued in Kyrgyzstan in 2004.

The reasons I think they are probably fake are:
A.) They don't appear in the list of officially-issued stamps on Kyrgyzstan's postal service web site.
B.) The style of the stamps is completely different than any of the official stamps shown on the web site.
C.) Apparently, fake stamps are a problem there.

Here are the stamps:

And here is the original picture:

Of all the pictures we have of Yoshi, I have no idea why they'd choose that one! It's certainly not one of his most noble moments. I mean, it's a funny picture, but it isn't the type of thing that usually gets printed on a stamp. If you're going to make a fake stamp, why make it so obvious?

I wonder who else's dogs are pictured on these stamps. Anyone? Anyone? If you see yours pictured, you can still buy three sets of these stamps on eBay (just do a search for "Japanese dog stamp").

In case you're wondering, I'm not upset, I mostly just think it's really strange and funny. If I thought they were officially-issued, I might be kind of annoyed, but since I'm pretty sure they're fake, I just think it's really weird.

I Always Win

Mom and popi went to Japan, and all I got was this stupid headband.

According to the sign in the store, the characters mean "winning," or "I always win," which, even I have to admit, is pretty fitting. I think it might be on upside down though. I hope our Japanese friends will tell us if it says something different, like "do not feed the shibas."

Maybe this way is a little more dignified...

Anyway, mom and popi have about a billion pictures (9 gigabytes worth!) from Japan, and lots of them have shibas in them! Expect to see some of those coming soon, just as soon as mom recovers a little more from the surgery she had last week. I told her to watch out for the veterinarian, but I guess she got tricked! It happens to the best of us.

And, just because we always get worried comments when Tsuki isn't pictured in one of our entries, she's fine, but wasn't as cooperative about posing with the headband as I was.

Takeru Kobayashi

Eating, as usual.

Today is a sad day for Yoshi. His hero, Takeru Kobayashi, lost the Nathan's hot dog eating contest after being undefeated for six years in a row. Yoshi chose Kobayashi as his hero because he's handsome, athletic, Japanese, and is a COMPETITIVE EATER, just like Yoshi! Today, he ate 63 hot dogs in 12 minutes! As far as Yoshi's concerned, what's not to admire?

Video of Kobayashi's sad loss to Joey Chestnut.

You're still Yoshi's hero, Kobayashi.

Yoshi's 4th Birthday Portraits

Yoshi's birthday message to the world.

Someone's Birthday is Coming...

I'm not going to say who is having a (4th) birthday this Friday, but I'll give you a hint:

Yoshi: Frisbee Addict

Waiting expectantly for Popi to throw the Frisbee. Note the lolling tongue that is a classic symptom of Frisbee Addiction.

Dogs suffering from Frisbee Addiction frequently behave with suspicion toward anyone approaching their Frisbee, and often experience paranoid delusions that everyone is trying to take it from them.

Peaceable Kingdom?

The word unprecedented comes to mind.

Cliffs Notes for Yoshi's Life: Soak up the Love, Be Handsome

What a handsome baby boy

I was going through my computer and I found a bunch of photos I took of Yoshi when he was only about 3 months old.  It's funny how he doesn't look like this any more, but you can still see the hints of the Yoshi that we know and love.

That's Quite A Cat!

Calling Yoshi cat-like may be an understatement...

Unfortunately, this cat perch is only designed to hold 35# of cat. Yoshi tips the scales at 38.6#, or, as we say around here, tubby-eight-point-six.

At least he's comfortable, and that's all that really matters (to him).

The New Problem

Yoshi recently discovered that he has the ability to jump onto tables. This is a very bad thing indeed. Luckily, we also learned that he has the ability to rip curtains. No one can say that he isn't a talented boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Yoshi!

Today is Yoshi's 2nd Birthday. Happy birthday, Yoshi!

Getting My Beauty Sleep

Santa brought me and Tsuki new beds (a little late, I might add), and one of us (I'm not saying who) got so excited that we peed right on one of them the minute Popi took it out of the box. Mom said that Planet Dog was having a good "after-Christmas sale" on them, whatever that means. Why would Santa care about a sale, since he makes everything in his workshop?

Anyway, Mom makes no sense, as usual, but take a look at me making good use of my so-exciting-it-will-make-you-pee new bed (don't worry, Mom washed it).

I Just Can't Stop...

Hello, Handsome!

Admit it, I'm pretty easy on the eyes.

Living Room Privileges

After a long exile (for reasons that I won't mention, except to say that I am completely innocent), I have had my living room privileges restored. Oh, how I've missed my chair.

Leaping Into Action

One week from today, my baby sister, Tsuki, is coming home to live with us. Mom and Popi decided to give me one last solo photo shoot before I have to start sharing everything. Anyway, I think that I look very athletic in this photo - way better than some silly, bumbling girl puppy, that's for sure.

P.S.: I don't actually plan to share anything, because, well, shibas don't share, and that's just all there is to it.

Summertime Yoshi

The Plan for World Domination

Yoshi's modeling career seems to be taking off.

Now to start charging.

Valentine's Schmalentine's

Mom thought she was being really funny when she ordered this for Popi.

Happy Birthday to Me!

SNOW!

Just me and my shadow.


Just so we're all starting out on the right paw, this is my snow. Any questions?


Here I am making my mean face! Scary, huh?


Floppy ears are for sissies!


Mommy thinks she's so funny. She calls this one "...and the cow jumped over the goon." We are not amused.

Puppy Ponderings

As I approach my first birthday (just 14 days away), I find myself increasingly tormented by the weighty matters of adulthood.

It has been foretold, the gradual shift to adult food will begin this weekend. Oh, how I have dreaded this day! Maturity, you are a harsh mistress!

Almost Friends. Almost.

"Uh oh, Willie, she caught us being friendly to each other, try to look nonchalant."

Leader of the Free World

Happy Howlidays!

Naughty or Nice? It all depends on your perspective.

IQube!

Mom and Popi got me this great new toy called an IQube. It's a plush cube with four plush squeaky balls inside for me to pull out.


See, here I am pulling out the blue one.


I like to chew on it like a maniac, and then giggle like a little girl.


It's also good for hiding behind (bet you can't find me). But, boy oh boy, all that thinking certainly tires me out.

If you want to get this great toy for your pup, just click here.

The Prince On His Throne

The face says it all.

A Dog of Great Influence

Here, Yoshi and I take time out of our busy social schedules to teach Ben Franklin about operant conditioning. As long as Yoshi receives a steady supply of rewards, in this case cheese, good behavior is assured. Okay, not really assured, but at least more likely to occur.

True Colors

Yoshi: Evil genius

Yoshi appears to be living up to his fancy AKC registered name, which is "Shoneno Fugitive From Justice." Shoneno are the laws relating to juveniles in Japan, which makes Yoshi a juvenile delinquent. But who didn't know that?

It's a Dog's Life

The Indigent Dog's Guide to Toys

Look over there!

Open Wide

(click picture for a larger image)

How Yoshi Spent the 4th of July (and the 3rd, and the 2nd...)

handsome boy modelling school

I'm not only the owner, I'm also a client.

Uma!

Tug O' War with Eleanor!

Mimi!

Telling Secrets

Looking Foxy

A rare sighting of Yoshi's tail un-curled. He's playing with his new pal, Daisy!

Yoshi's Water Fountain

(click pictures for larger images)

Konnichi wa, my name is Yoshi, and this is my water fountain!

Lazy puppy!

Gunther (Akita), Yoshi (Shiba Inu), and Henry (Pit Bull/Mastiff Mix)

Excuse me, Gunther, but I need to wash my paws (note Yoshi behind Gunther).

Yoshi and the Other Redheads

Yoshi and Winnie (and Fallon, too)

The Magic of the Dog Park

A Taste of His Own Medicine

Puppy Love

(click pictures for larger images)

big day out

Nope. He certainly doesn't want to go in, but it doesn't bother him much... not when there are clams to dig, dunes to run on, puppy lives to ponder, and of course:

new friends to make.

We all had a great time, except for all the biting. Yoshi, of course, isn't bothered by the biting.

Another Redhead in the Family

An Obedient Shiba (well, sorta')

The Hard Wiring

Star of the Party

Yoshi and Tristan had a lot of fun playing together... we were particularly impressed with how well Tristan treated Yoshi; he even brought him his water bowl.

Yoshi had a really great time and loved meeting everybody...thanks for inviting us, Jen!

Thanks Easter Yoshi! bok! bok!

That'll teach him to be all nippy when we play the tug of war game :)

He was a pretty good sport about it. I only had to give him like 4 or 5 treats. And he kept them on for at least 5 or 6 seconds every time!

Revenge, heh heh.

a dissenting opinion: willie

Not everyone is completely thrilled with the newest addition to the family.

back to his roots

From the AKC Website: Shiba Inu

"The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous areas..."

Well, this is explaining a lot.

foe to all daffodils

Yoshi has discovered our daffodil patch.

yoshi vs the bathtub

Yoshi had his first bath today =)

He didn't really like it =(

playing with dani

Dani is my mom's wheaten terrier. Yoshi loves running around with Dani... it's too bad for Dani that no one will tell Yoshi that she has 20 pounds on him.

yoshi and grandpa

closer...too close...much too close

my name is-myname is-

My name is Yoshi. I'm from Japan. I like to play.

Closeup

I'm ready for my closeup Mr. Demille.

Yoshiro sleeping

Yoshiro Rests

We put a playpen in our office so he can be with us uncrated but a bit restrained. Note that we are raising him in a text-rich environment. Note that he thinks we're stupid because we only have 26 letters in our alphabet.

Holding Yoshi

Kat holding Yoshi, back before he came to live with us. We were visiting him at River Wind Shibas in Maryland.

Buster Yoshi and His Sister Pekoe

(click for a bigger image)

This is Buster Yoshi and his sister Pekoe when Yoshi was still Buster (at the breeder's).

Yoshi's Parents