Meet Lola, our 14-year-old Shiba Inu.

According to the AKC,

“The Shiba the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth of Japan’s mountainous areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also an excellent watchdog and companion. His frame is compact with well-developed muscles. Males and females are distinctly different in appearance: males are masculine without coarseness, females are feminine without weakness of structure.”

Some describe the Shiba as a “big dog trapped in a small dog’s body.” Others say the Shiba is headstrong or aloof. Lola has been all of these things, at one time or another, as our loyal-but-stubborn companion for nearly a decade and a half. She is affectionate with people she likes. She is playful, when it suits her. She is a dog with her own agenda.

As a puppy, she would rumpus with the biggest dogs in the ‘hood. I vividly remember one day in the woods, as she ran headlong toward two giant Bordeaux dogs — each at least five times her size. She darted underneath the large male’s belly, gnawed on his rear leg, then proceeded to play tug-of-war with his jowls. The gentle giant just stood there, not knowing what to do with this hyperactive little pup.

Today, Lola’s gait is slowed, her peripheral vision is gone, and her hearing is shot. She has little patience for other dogs, and most people, and she certainly isn’t about to start a wild rumpus with any dog, no matter what size. Most days, she’s happy when Juno just leaves her in peace.

Lola has also become quite camera shy, so I feel fortunate when she lets me grab a decent shot.