Kenji Sat Among the Presents With Total Shiba Dignity
Surrounded by presents wrapped in brown paper and tied with cream ribbon and sprigs of evergreen, the red Shiba Inu sits like the guest of honor. His fox-like ears are up, his chest fluffy and white, and his head is tilted slightly as if he's weighing which box is his. Above him, the tree twinkles with warm lights, pinecones, and dried orange slices, and a soft throw blanket drapes over the sofa nearby. Every package has a tiny sprig of greenery tucked under its bow, and the rug beneath them adds a woven, homey feel.
Shibas are small, bright, and famously independent, with a cat-like habit of keeping themselves tidy. They can be reserved with strangers and strong-willed in training, so holiday visitors and wrapping-paper chaos may be a lot to take in. Offer him a quiet place to retreat and keep gifts with food, like chocolate or candy, well out of reach, since chocolate is toxic to dogs and many sweets contain ingredients that can harm them.
Pine needles, ribbon, and tinsel can also be tempting to chew. A swallowed ribbon can cause real trouble in a dog's tummy, so tidy up wrapping scraps as you go. If your dog does eat something he shouldn't, call your vet right away. Giving him a safe chew toy of his own, tucked among the wrapping, is a nice way to keep his mouth busy.
We'll call him Kenji. He's sitting politely for now, but we suspect he has already figured out which present has his name on it.
