Welcoming Choya Into Our Lives

After we said yes to having Choya, in the week before she came to live with us, I had a major meltdown for two days. I wanted to back away from this agreement. I was ready to forgo the deposit and every purchased item (part of a doggy starter-kit), and lose the goodwill of everyone. I grew up with German Shepherds, Dobermans and Rottweilers. But I’m terrified at the prospect of training a Shiba Inu.

It wasn't just cold feet. It was a full-blown panic attack, something that I haven't had for years. I didn't eat for two days because I had no appetite. (Imagine how Choya would feel in her first few days with us.) Losing my solitude is frightening, but I can adjust. As I sorted out her vaccinations, sterilization, preferred veterinarian clinic, medical insurance, future illnesses and end of life care, I broke down. Choya is just a dog. Can she adapt to our lifestyle? How is she going to tell me if she isn't happy, or nervous or isn't feeling well? I didn't know if I could care for her and fulfill my 60% of caregiving duties. I know the man will fulfill his 40%, and he's confident of it. He seems to be rather pleased to have his life turn topsy-turvy.

I didn't text D because I thought she was still in the US. But on the day of my meltdown, she called. She said she had never gotten six messages in a row (unless it's a rant), so she knew I was freaking out. Thank God for D. She knows her way around cats and dogs, and birds. She knows the bad parts and the up sides to having pets. She knew that my fears were justified, and approved of planning ahead, but she also gave me a balanced perspective how it would turn out along the happiness index. She did that over three phone calls at different hours of the day. I was babbling and she tolerated my incoherent logic. She's a gem.

Convinced the pet store owner to take Choya home the night after she was spayed. I know my way around cats; I’m not familiar with handling female dogs in heat or just after spaying. Our first weekend with Choya was emotional and eventful. Her protective cone's gone now. She has proven herself somewhat trustworthy with wires, shoes, tables, chairs and carpets. I'm soooooo glad she isn't a puppy. She doesn't seem to have separation anxiety yet. We most certainly don’t stay home with her all day. Hellloooo, we need to get out to earn moolah for her food and such. We went out for meals too, without her of course. She needs to be further trained to walk properly on a leash, and she must be constantly socialized with both dogs and humans. Her walks are strictly limited to the estate and its surroundings to familiarize her to its sights and sounds. I cried tears of joy when she toilet-trained herself on grass outdoors in two days.

She's turning out to be absolutely independent and predictably mischievous. I value teaching her 'Come here' and 'Sit' over every other command. The bitch is a consummate escape artist and needs to be watched at all times. When I wasn't paying close attention one afternoon, she zoomed out of the narrowly-opened front door, and shot out of the gap between the block's access gates and sprinted away. I swore she looked back and grinned as she rounded the corner. WTF. My heart dropped. I turned back to get treats and the phone to try to chase her down. Then she somehow ran back, and zoomed straight past me into the house. And nonchalantly lay down like nothing happened. 🤯😱😨🤬 *insert expletives BUT WOW. SHE HEEDED MY COMMAND OF 'COME HERE CHOYA' AND SHE ACTUALLY CAME BACK. Thank fuck for all those spurts of training her to somewhat follow basic commands.

When's all said and done, I honestly couldn't ask for more from a canine friend who seems to merrily accept living in a small flat.