Bigger Defence Budget

The Japanese Ministry of Defence urges an increased budget of 3.5 %. In Sweden, we mostly hear about the fights in Ukraine and the Middle East, but there are tensions in the vicinity of Japan. This is not least because China claims the Japanese Senkaku Islands. It is important that a democracy like Japan stand fast against dictatorships like China. I support increases in the defence budget.

Mushrooms

Hello, Karstuhl here!

I went with Paula and her parents on a walk in the forest today. We picked mushrooms and also some berries. It was fun coming along, especially since we took paths I do not usually walk. I could do things like this more often.

Crossing Terrain

Hello, Karstuhl here!

I read this article on a new type of bicycle that would be good for hikea in the terrain, off road. This might be good for humans. I am still convinced dogs could outrun this bicycle in most kinds of terrain. There are hills, pits, stones, and brooks in the way, all sort of things where a running dog would outperform any kind of bicycle. Humans are very intelligent, but there are some areas where they will certainly never beat dogs. It is a good thing, then, that dogs are humans' best friends.

New FCI Page

The international kennel federation FCI has a new webpage. It is nice and I can recommend a visit.

In case you do not know, the FCI is an important organisation. It is the dog breeding and dog sport equivalent to FIFA for football. In my mind, this makes the FCI the most important international organisation there is. It is more important than the United Nations and other such organisations, who are mainly concerned with humans. The FCI cares about both humans and dogs, the two most important species of our civilisation. Thus, the FCI is the best.

Fame

A dog who has become a local celebrity in Washington, DC, for sitting in a window observing the street, will move to the suburbs. You can get famous in many ways. Fame because you are sitting in a window is not my cup of tea, I'd rather be famous as a show dog. However, it is nice reading about this.

Important Stuff

Hello, Karstuhl here!

This afternoon, Daniel came home from work, a work which is rather important. He then gave us food. When he was done, he left us again to go campaigning because of the upcoming general electin. This is also rather important, because the outcome of the election affects us all. The most important thing he did today, though, was giving us food. This is self evident.

Stray Dog Killed, Sparking Protests

A stray dog in Hong Kong was killed, when a train was allowed to go on the tracks on a station where the dog was observed. The people of Hong Kong love dogs, and numerous humans have protested against the train operator. Witnesses claim the train operator personell could have done more to save the dog.

I am so sorry for this dog. Being run over by a train must be a horrible death. The protests may, however, make the Hong Kong society better at taking care of dogs who have ended up in the wrong place. Let us hope this dog's death will lead to better safety for sogs in the future. In this case, it was not a meaningless death.

May this stray dog rest in peace!

One Hundred Years Ago, Japan Went to War

On the 23 August 1914, Japan declared war on Germany, entering the First World War on the same side as Britain, France, Belgium, and Russia. This was one hundred years ago yesterday. (I wrote about Paula's birthday yesterday, more important to our family as it was.) This is important in Shiba history, because at the time, every Shiba in the world lived in Japan. Thus, in Shiba history, this was the date when the First World War started for real. It was not just something happening far away in Europe anymore, and the humans of Shibas got involved in the war. I guess some Shibas lost beloved humans, too.

Daniel use to say that the outbreak of the First World War is the greatest single tragedy of  human history. In part, this is because the war really did not have had to happen, there were just a long range of unfortunate circumstances, warmongering politicians, and wrong decisions that led to the war. The other part is that there were so many people who died, the evolution towards democracy throughout Europe gave way to dictatorships, and the outcome of the war sowed the seeds of the Second World War, the Holocaust, and even more communistic dictatorships. You may also add that the Second World War almost was a war which could have meant the end of the Shiba breed. We were almost extinct as a breed, when Japanese humans took it upon themselves to help save us after this war.

If Japan would not have entered the First World War one hundred years ago, perhaps Japan would not have taken part in the Second World War either, and the Shiba breed might have been different. Of course, I might not have been. In the great scheme of things, however, the world might still have been a better place.

Party, Party!

Paula celebrated her birthday today with a crayfish party. A lot of family was invited. It was fun.

Later, there were extra treats in the food bowls for us dogs as well.

All in all, it was a great celebration. Congratulations, Paula!

Heavy Rain

There has been rather heavy rainfall on some places in Sweden over the last few days. Nothing like those in Japan, though. In the Hiroshima prefecture, landslides have killed 39 people. On top of this, 51 people have gone missing. The continuing rain have hampered the rescue operations. About 100,000 people have been evacuated. How many dogs who have been killed, lost, or who have lost their humans have not been reported. We hope the situation will soon be better.

Brother

Daniel's brother came by this evening. It is not often we see him, because he lives several kilometres away, in Stockholm. As I am used to having parents from other countries and brothers and pups that have moved to many different places, this is nothing strange to me. It is usually nice to meet family and this meeting was no exception.

Daniel's brother's dog is a little Chihuahua. He is a little too small to play with in a decent way, but at least he has a nice black and tan coat. There is always something right, if you are black and tan.

Not Sacked

Rumour had it, Caterham Formula 1 would sack one of its drivers. Most people thought Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi would have to go. It now turns out, he just have to stand down for one race, the Belgiam Grand Prix this weekend. German driver andre Lotterer will make a one race debut in Formula 1 alongside Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson. We hope for the best for Ericsson and that Kobayashi will make a grand comeback in his next race.

Lights Out!

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Sometimes, we are urged to turn off the lights so early in the evening, that nobody has the time to make a decent effort at writing a good blog entry. You have to get by with this short entry instead. On the other hand, with a short text, perhaps you can go to sleep earlier as well, as I guess we will. Sweet dreams!

Viking Ship Found by the Mississippi

An old ship, carbon dated to be abput one thousand years old, has been discovered by the Mississippi River in the USA. The ship is built like the ships of the Norsemen commonly known as vikings. It certainly suggests the Norsemen ventured farther into North America than previously thought. I hope more will be revealed about thos ship soon. It is really fascinating to imagine how the ancestors of modern day Scandinavians saw the great river of Mississippi so long ago. I wonder if they brought any dogs.

Best

Hello, Karstuhl here!

My dear daughter Soya was, once again, Best of Breed Puppy, at today's show in Norrköping. Mommy was also there, she was disappointed to be second best in veterans' class. Well, I guess I have had more influence on my daughter than on Mommy, so perhaps it is as it should be, that my daughter did better than Mommy?

Tomorrow!

I am going to a dog show again tomorrow. It will be so much fun! It was a long time ago I went to dog shows two weekends in a row, and I really like it. We have made preparations today, because we are leaving very early tomorrow morning. This is no problem for me, because I usually sleep in the car.

My grand daughter Soya will also be at the show. I will wish her good luck and advice her on what to do. She is promising, I am certain she will make me proud.

I Could Not Come Along

paula was out on after work with workmates tonight. daniel went to give her a ride home, but i was not allowed to come along. i usually do come along. it is fun to do that, especially since it is not everyday i can go somewhere just by myself with daniel and paula. oh, well, i guess i can come along next time.

Panda Triplets

A panda in China has given birth to triplets. This is the first known time that a panda has had this many cubs in one litter. I have also had triplets, but this is not unusual for dogs. I guess the news worthiness is that pandas usually just get fewer cubs.

Pandas look rather nice in black and white. I believe they would look even better, though, if they would also have tan colours in their coats.

Visit

Hello, Karstuhl here!

My dear daughter Soya visited us today. I had to be rather firm towards her, as is the duty of mothers sometimes. She has to know her place, especially since she now only lives with her humans and a cat, no other dogs. I think it is good that she meets us sometimes, young dogs need to learn how to act towards other dogs, and you can only do this by interacting with other dogs. Well, at least she is very cute.

Getting Up

Hello, Orange here!

paula and Daniel had this discussion today about helping dogs get up in the bed to sleep at night. I do not need any help, I just jump right up. It was long ago I was too small to manage this. Our Poodle friend Love Chan needs help, though. It cannot be easy being a Toy Poodle when you want to get up to places which all the bigger dogs reach without any trouble, bit you do not. I am glad I am bigger than that.

Soft Day

We arrived home this morning and took a day off from most duties. The rain was pouring down, fitting, as we stopped on the way home to get the earthly remains of Mum. It is a sad, but slow and comforting day.

Show Results

None of us got very good show results on the World Dog Show. It has been fun, but not fun enough with the show results. This is enough, I will write about something else tomorrow.

Finland

We went to Finland yesterday, to participate in the World Dog Show in Helsinki. It was a long journey and I did not have the energy to write a blog entry. We went by car to Kapellskär, then a ferry to Naantali next to Turku in Finland, and from there to Helsinki. It was nice getting here.

Overload?

Hello, Polly here!

Mommy is acting crazy. She knows she will come along to a big dog show soon, and she loves the thought of it. She was even excited about the idea of going to the veterinarian today before going to the show.

I am not coming along. This is just as well. While I think dog shows can be a pleasant break in the day to day life, I have never loved them the way Mommy does.

It almost feel like Mommy is too excited. I wish her good luck, but I hope she will come to her senses before going into the show ring, so she is not on an overload just when it counts the most. Well, she has been there before, so has Paula and Daniel, so I am not worried any of them will spoil the experience.

If Mommy does not win, it better be against a dog who really is better than her. I guess there are some, but they must be few and far in between. They might turn up at this show, though, since it is the World Dog Show 2014. It will be exciting to get the results even for us who stay at home.

We Are Close

I got yet another bath today. Daniel told me, however, that this was the last full bath for a long time - unless anything unexpected would happen. I do hope nothing unexpected will happen. We will soon go to the World Dog Show. I am so looking forward to this. Going to dog shows is the best thing I know. Going to a world dog show is like going to a huge, great dog show - that is, a huge, great best thing there is. I can hardly wait. We are so close now.

Forest Fire

A fire is raging in forests not far from us. The fire fighters have had a hard time fighting the fire, with the warm and dry weather and hard winds. There is no risk that the fire will spread so far that we are in any danger, at least not so far. We feel sorry for those who have lost, at least one human has lost his life while fighting the fire.

We saw one woman on TV who had had to evacuate from her home. She said she had been able to bring her dog and cat, which was the most important things to bring. We liked this statement. It is good to know people can often think clearly, even when they are facing horrors such as uncontrolled forest fires.

One Hundres Years Ago

One hundred years ago, the First World War started. You could dispute the exact date of the start of the war. The first declaration of war was when Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia on the 28th of July 1914. Over the following days, Germany, Russia, France, Belgium, and The United Kingdom went to war, the latter on the 4th of August, exactly one hundred years ago today. Japan declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary a little later, on the 23rd and 25th of August, respectively. This was a time when every Shiba in the world still lived in Japan. The First World War was a tragedy, many humans, dogs, and other animals were killed in the war. Japan was on the victorious side of the war and gained islands which had been German colonies in the Pacific Ocean. Still, it would have been better if there would have been no war.

A Good Gift

Japan and Vietnam have agreed on a deal where Japan gives Vietnam six used naval ships, with equipment and training for crews. This is a good thing, since both Vietnam and Japan are victims of Chinese hostility in disputed waters. The countries thus have a common enemy, and it is a good thing to team up. I hope the naval ship never have to be used in warfare. One of the main purposes of military forces is, however, to make others beware of attacking you. These naval vessels may fulfill such a purpose.

Exaggeration

We will be at the World Dog Show in a week. I am so looking forward to it. To prepare for this, I bathed a couple of days ago. It might happen that I will take another bath just the day before we leave. However, Daniel gave me a bath today too. While it is important to be clean, looking your very best, at a dog show, I think this is exaggerating the bathing a little too much. Shiba coats are natural dirt repellants, we do not need to have this many baths.

Shiba Shopkeeper

In Tokyo, Japan, there is a small tobacco and snack shop, where a Shiba lives with his human. This Shiba is the best dog shopkeeper ever, opening the window to the shop for all customers. Many people from Tokyo and around the country come to the shop to see this adorable shopkeeper. Follow the link and watch a short film and some pictures of him!

I am not surprised it is a Shiba, we are very resourceful whenever we want to.