Kuma: Our second Shiba

Kuma wasn't exactly planned. 

We had talked about getting another Shiba after Nikko turned one because we weren't sure about having two puppies at the same time.    Nikko was A LOT to handle... he had so much energy and annoyed Rosie so much, and we did think another Shiba would be really fun for him.

Then Covid-19 happened, we realized that we might both be working from home for a while, and we reached out to the person we got Nikko from just to start looking.  She put us in contact with someone that was trying to find a home for a shiba and said we could have him if we picked him up THAT DAY! 

To be honest, we were a little concerned about Kuma when we first met him.  It seemed like he was terrified, his tail was straight down, and he was not the color we were expecting.  We actually didn't know if he was a shiba.  We also both knew that there was no way we were going to leave without this guy!

As expected, Nikko was beyond thrilled -- he had a big silly grin on his face all day, and couldn't wait to play.  Kuma was shy and nervous in his new home, but very interested in both Nikko and Rosie.  He was also, and still is to the day, SO EXCITED about tennis balls.  

We had already been brainstorming names for another shiba, and had asked our little Japanese nieces for their opinion a few weeks before.  They liked the name Kuma, which means bear in Japanese, so that name was at the top of our list before we even met him.  

It turned out to be a perfect name for him -- He actually looked just like a baby bear when he was little.

We also found out after getting Kuma that he and Nikko have the same mother, so they are half brothers!

Kuma is the sweetest boy.  He is sensitive and shy and very independent.    

He isn't super affectionate, but does insist on sitting on my lap on car rides and doesn't mind being held. 

I have never seen a dog play with balls like he does - he throws them up in the air and catches them, bounces them, puts them in holes, and just tears all over the yard with them.  He especially likes the ones that squeak.  

Kuma absolutely adores Nikko and Rosie.   They will never admit it, but I catch Nikko and Kuma sleeping in the same bed pretty often.

Kuma loves popcorn, tennis balls, laying in the dirt, digging holes, his mama, olives and drinking water out of the hose.

We have come to love Kuma's sesame color and sweet personality.  Although he is still independent, he is showing more and more interest in playing with us and being close to us (or at least close enough that he can keep his eyes on us.)

Kuma just finished urban and wilderness tracking classes, and is looking forward to a little break from school.