Sachi is with us no more. He was blind, deaf, could barely walk, and had even lost his sense of smell. He couldn't find his food. The end was gentle for him.
He is the only dog I've ever had that we paid for. He was a puppy when we got him and our children were young. Shiba Inu was a new breed to us, one we had picked from a book. Very independent. He never learned to "come". Simply would not do so. If he got outside the yard he was off to explore. Wouldn't go far, but might bark at pedestrians. He was just big enough and nicely built with a broad chest to intimidate people. Once he got of the backyard when no one was home and scared the post woman enough that the postmaster suspended mail delivery to the entire block until I signed an acknowledgment that he exhibited vicious behavior and that I would keep him confined. Ha ha. What a trip. He was very handsome and frequently drew comments from strangers.
Unfortunately, he was plagued with health problems. Skin problems that left him itchy, scaly, mangy looking. Stones in his bladder that cost $1100 to remove. Cushing's Disease which we controlled for years with low doses of a chemotherapy drug. Rather, Kathy controlled it by carefully monitoring his condition and being involved in his care.
He was a fantastic guard dog and would rush to the front door any time anyone knocked and bark fiercely at them. Once they were inside and he understood that we accepted them as part of the pack, then he was o.k. with them. He was a fine dog and good friend.....we loved him and shall miss him. I trust he is getting acquainted with Butch and Jacko now, a couple of the best dogs that ever kept me company.
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