the shiba diaries.

So everyone knows Viesa's story, right? (Here's the story from her mama Gina's blog.) We got her from some wonderful friends who couldn't keep her because she got in more than a few nasty fights with her sister, maltipoo Bella, and wasn't a very safe companion for her anymore. We had been dying for a dog and we are so proud and thankful that her first family chose us to take over with miss Vies.

Fast forward to today...she is the absolute center of our house and everyone's (and I seriously mean everyone's) favorite dog. I think we might be close to making her an official UA College of Medicine Phoenix mascot. At least for the MS2s. :)

Snuggled in her fave spot between two of Chris' classmates dog-sitting her for the weekend.

One thing we already knew about when taking Viesa was her (obvious) bouts with dog aggression. 

"Dog aggressive?...Who, me?!"

She's a toughie for a few reasons: 1) Some dogs she does fine with and some dogs, notsomuch. Like Christian's parents' hound dogs - best buddies. Our neighbor dog/yard mate (and total sweetie) American bulldog Winston? Notsomuch.  2) She's pretty aggressive with other dogs when on the leash, which I understand to be normal, she's MUCH better off-leash, yet not in my hand to control if something goes down. 3) Shiba play is hard to decipher. We're still getting tuned into all of Viesa's quirks and behaviors, but Shiba play is notoriously SUPER rough with serious death-match-5000 noises, snarls, big teeth, the works.  Rough enough to make her doggie parents wonder...is she trying to play or is she trying to kick someone's ass?

For another perspective, here are photos I found on a forum of another Shiba (Joey) playing for funsies with another friendly dog (posted by Joey's mom JessicaRabbit on the Shiba Inu Forum):

Source

Source

See? All fun and games, right?!  No, but really...it is all fun and games. That's how Shibas roll. Which is also why it's hard to figure out if she's playing or mauling.

Obviously, she's a sweetie with people, which is a good thing. But I naturally don't want her to get hurt or for her to hurt another dog, so it's been the easy thing to keep her away from strange dogs completely so everyone is safe. Well, we decided that that's really no way for a doggie to live, and that if WE put in the effort on our side, Viesa could learn to be less socially awkward and make some doggie friends. 

Enter operation dog park. We had taken her a few times to a great dog park not too far from our house where they have a big huuuge section fenced, and a smaller section. On most nights late in the evening, the smaller section was empty, no other dogs, and we'd take her for a romp (she LOVES the dog park). Last week, Christian suggested it was time to let her in with the big dogs. ::GULP:: I mean, I'd watch them from the small side, rough housing and going crazy, and our dog-aggressive Shiba was supposed to play with them? I wasn't completely convinced, but Christian insisted...if we didn't try now, when would we. So it happened. 

She's been twice now, with the big boys. Sometimes she's aggressive, mainly to tell someone they're up in her space and she doesn't like it, but the second time she seemed to be chasing the same white boxer back and forth, growing and sounding like she was going to murder him of course, but with a bounce in her step and a waggy tail. I'm hoping that means we're on our way to success. Luckily, the dog park people are SUPER cool and laid back, they all know each other and are very aware of their dogs. We asked before we brought her the first time, every owner that was in there, just in case there was another less-than-balanced maniac in there, but they all assured us that their dogs could handle an aggressive girl and that this type of play would teach her better manners and be really great for her. Cue sigh of relief. Once I wasn't worried if she bit another dog we'd be chased out of the park by a mob of angry owners, I relaxed. When we relax, she totally relaxes. It's been so fun watching her attempt at playing. She seems to be getting better at it. Next time I'll try to take a video. 

Hopefully, Miss Thang will learn some manners and play skills, all while refraining from eating another dog. Any other dog parents have advice about socializing an already gown-up dog?

Hope everyone's enjoying their Wednesday. My dad is up in Phoenix for a conference so we're all spending some time together (which rocks). 

More later.

Love,

Ash, Christian, & Viesa

P.S. SUCH a cute giveaway over at Sunshine Cupcakes! Check out the jewelry she's giving away at My Honey Corner. Perfect for gift giving and her proceeds go to the Anne Taylor Hinton Endowment for Multiple Sclerosis! 

phancy photos.

As many of you know, my super cool dude bought me a DSLR for Christmas three years ago and I've been in love ever since. Even though I have still never made it to a real class (which I'm dying to do), I have a few different lenses and pretty much mess around until I do some stuff I like [read: NOT a professional]. So when Christian's cousin asked me to take the photos at her wedding, I was like, "Whaa?!....Ummm.....errrr....I guess so!" I mean...tons of pressure to get it right - it's not like most people intend to repeat their wedding day; however, I suppose my secret fantasy of being a crazy paparazzi lady all day long with the permission of the people I'm photographing sounded kind of fun! Plus, I wouldn't be a very awesome cousin-in-law if I didn't rise to the occasion. So after we discussed some...real expectations for my photos (as in no expectations, let's hope the camera did fancy work without me knowing it), I told her I'd do it. Bottom line: Kaity and Blake, you both looked amazing and so happy!  I'm incredibly glad I got to be a part of your day. Congratulations!

Here are a bunch of my favorite pictures from today [FYI - photo heavy]:

And what wedding is complete without adorable dancing children...?! So, all in all it went well. The ceremony and the group shots (AKA the ones people frame and put on their mantle) turned out nice, as did a handful of getting ready shots and reception shots. The reception was the hardest because the sun went down and I do muuuch better in the daylight, but I think we got a few good ones. For my first wedding, I'll say they're not too shabby. :) Makes me so excited to take a real class!!! The pictures will only get better, I hope.

Also....mad props to all the REAL wedding photogs out there! Capturing wedding memories is nerve-wracking! Thanks to Stacie and Geoff for doing such a great job on ours. Mad props, I say!

We'll enjoy a half a Sunday in Tucson, then it's back to work work work. I don't think I've ever seen a month go by faster than this September has. Good thing I like October so much. :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their Saturday as much as I did mine.

Love,
Ash

online school.

Ever wonder what online school looks like? Well, I can't really speak for other programs, but here's what an average day at school looks like for me:

[Yes...I know...I look both tired and bored. Mainly tired. Slightly bored? And a little hungry...]

I always tell people we do it Brady Bunch style so they get the idea...

Although the Bradys smile a lot more. Source

Professor Beach is in the upper left (an acute care nurse practitioner and all around rock star), TA Jackie is on the bottom row, second from the left, and the rest of us are students. Learning the night away. About the oxyhemoglobin disassociation curve! Yay science! I'm actually really impressed with Georgetown's online format. It's a special program called 2GU for Nursing@Georgetown (their online graduate studies program). The whole self-discipline side of online learning has been a bit of a culture shock, but I think I'll survive to see another semester. :)

We're knee-deep in yet another exam week for Christian, poor guy. He's been busy with a crap ton of extra curriculars (hello CPR in Prescott!) and hasn't had as much time as he'd like to get caught up. Since we were both about to go play in oncoming traffic for some sweet relief, today I called an emergency afternoon rendezvous at the movie theater. We saw My Idiot Brother (this busy business has put us SOOO far behind in the movie department) and absolutely loved it. We're big Paul Rudd fans (who isn't?) and laughed the entire time, maybe even almost shed a tear or two. If you haven't seen it yet, go.  It was just what the doctor ordered (no pun intended) and we might just have to do it more often. P.S. One perk of going to the movies at 1:30 on a weekday? Empty theater. So you can give/get tons of kisses and no one is there to give you dirty looks. :)


Me and Vies just shared some vanilla yogurt for dessert and I think it's time for bed. Hope everyone enjoyed their humpday. It's all down hill from here, right?!

XOXO,
Ash, Chris, & Viessita

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIZONA!!!

I guess when you're turning 100 years old, it's legit to celebrate your birthday for the entire year. And who doesn't love a good birthday party?!

We spent the day at the Arizona Centennial Best Fest in Prescott (two more will be held before the big birthday in February; one in hometown Tucson, one in the new town Phoenix). I am a huge nerd for my home state, so I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back for round two tomorrow!

Teaching CPR!!!

The kids were all about it!!!

Panning for gold.

SO MANY DOGS! And so well behaved. Maybe it was best we left Vies at home...

The indian fry bread line...well worth the wait.

I'm married to one handsome fellow.

Fry bread heaven.

More fun tomorrow. We hope Viesa is having fun back at home with our neighbor, Jen. I'm sure she's being spoiled beyond her wildest dreams. Thanks, Jen!

Love from Prescott (it feels like fall here!!!!),
Ash & Chris