KumaAkita

I think I need to conceed defeat. I am deluding myself that I will be able to catch up, but too many weeks have gone past I made it past previous attempt, but sadly not nearly good enough. Oh well, there's always next year! Well done to everyone on getting to six months, and happy snapping for the remainder of the year. I'll keep sticking my head in to check out your awesome photos. Y'all so inspiring :)

Serious Baby Esky is just too cute for words!! She looks amazing flying along in front of the scooter :) So many adorable transformations here!

My all-time favourite photo of baby Kuma - he's about 6 weeks old 8 weeks - first day home Now... aged 2.5 20/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr 07/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr

The chicken necks/wings are good for puppy teeth, they also get calcium for the bones and loads of other nutrients. I do warn that you should be careful with them - there will come a point where she'll try to swallow it whole - this was the point we moved on to turkey necks! Don't worry - if she misses a meal or two it won't hurt her. May even make her more thankful for her next meal :)

TikaAkita - come visit us in the Akita thread http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/107568-akita-thread/ Photos are mandatory!! I think Aziah has great advice. Start at basics - give a time limit as to how long she can sit with the food, start getting her meals right before moving onto too many treats. Are you soaking the kibble at all? My boy found the Advance really tough going on his little fangs. Also - you're not alone, Kuma went through this phase... well, actually he's still going through it! He's a fussy bugger.

Mr KumaAkita and I are so thankful to the Koalathebear household for taking such awesome care of Kuma while we were away. the photos are absolutely brilliant - they made us smile :) :) I loved the video - it was great to watch him play with your boys. The bitey face session cracked me up. Very happy to have my fluffer back home.

I think you will find that there are currently no Japanese Akita breeders in Australia. I know of one who has just imported a couple of Japanese Akitas with the view of breeding in the near future. You will find them on Facebook - Japanese Akita Inu Australia. Pretty sure there aren't any Hokkaido or Shikoku breeders here either. I have no experience in importing, but understand that it is a costly exercise and can be quite a difficult process. It's not as simple as it may sound. You also have to consider quarantine and so on. I don't think that the age of the dog will be a huge issue, however with the Akita and it's propensity to bond closely with its people, you will have to work hard on building that bond and trust from the outset. What is it about the American that you don't like? Akitas are AWESOME :)

http://porteengear.com/ :D

Very pretty!

Kuma runs away when we pull up the blind to our sliding door, but only that one - none of the other blinds in the house (which are all the same). He used to be scared of alfoil, especially if we were getting a bit off the roll... but he seemed to grow out of that one.

Comment catchup time! JnD Mum: how cute is Jack! Poor Dash getting left behind - all he needs is a tin can to rattle along the bars :laugh: I love catching up on the cheeky adventures of Jack and Dash! Helen: I love your close up photo - the detail of the treat in your hand is excellent. Snook: your w20 shot of Justice is good, I love the colour (I popped my head in the thread you were discussing post-processing this shot, I liked this one the best!) I love your w21 and the adi-dog twins, they're as twin-like as Danny and Arnie in Twins! Ok, so I've just seen that you're replacing it... darn, I love it! Your replacement w21 is lovely - I love the colours in your background. Your w22 is also fab, I think I'm in love with Justice's ears. Goodness! even more so after seeing your w23, he looks like such a happy boy! anniek: I said it in the other 52-week thread, but I'm so sorry to hear about Cowboy. I love your week 20 of Phoebe, her ears are brillint! She looks so comfy catching some sun in w21, and looks like she had a fun morning at the park for w21 MnDM: w20 - Juddy is growing up way to quick! Diva looks very warm, but kinda itching to run again... I love your group shot for Monet's weekly pick - they look like kids at school photo time, jostling for prime possy. Nice angle for Benson's shot, shows how snuggled up he is. w21 - muscular bums! Diva looks like a bit of a snoop... so cute. I love that photo of Benson, great angle and expression. Serious Juddy is Serious :laugh: Your w22 collection is also fab, the racing shots are great, and another wonderful shot of Benson! kritta: Welcome to the group! Your baby is adorable, the party hat photo is a hoot! Keep posting, we're all learning here and it's really fun to take a photo a week (when I remember :laugh: ) ktig: Oh dear! Paddy's a bit wet in w20, but looks like he had fun! His little coat is just adorable! Oh my, how cute is he in his birthday hat? That expression is just priceless! I enjoyed the "out-takes" cheeky boy! Happy birthday Paddy! tlc: I love seeing your Lacy photos, she is such a pretty girl and your pack is so obedient! I like your packshot for w22, the colours are pretty and they look so happy and relaxed. (or is that post-play exhaustion?). Delta Lacy looks so serious - but she seems to enjoy her work!

Time for another comment catchup! Evolving: Cute lappy puppy (w18??)Such an inquisitive face. Your girls look like their enjoying the water at Kepala(?) were they conspiring against someone?? :D Alera looks fab on the move. Huga: Your w20 is cute! Your son is adorable. I love your cheeky grin in w21. Your w22 is a crack-up! Again, another brilliant shot for w23, so clever! Gapvic: I like your w21 - lovely setting and beautiful light. Mostly tho, I want to steal your boots - they're awesome :D. Your week 22 and 23 photos are haunting. I want to give you a big hug. Hope things are ok (really hoping they're just for dramatic effect...) anniek: Firstly, I'm so sorry to have read about Cowboy. May he run free over the bridge. I love Dora in your w20 - she looks sooo happy to be out hooning around. Maggie looks so comfy in your scarf, she has amazing eyes. Happy birthday to Gemma and Preston - that is one awesome cake. kja: Lovely shot for w20, that sky is lovely. I love the colours in your aloe photo (w21) - so very pretty. Your w22 photo is great too - I really like the light you've captured. Redangel: snake!! Lovely photo of the Haighs window, very inviting! I like the style of your last few photos, really nice. Love Luci the opportunist on your bed, hope you let her snooze! CrazyCresties: I love your w19, he really looks like he's sussing out whether to surf or not! The colour and detail in your w20 photo is great. Wow! That's a big load of little clothes :laugh: I really like your Happy Couple - they look like they're bickering a little... nicely caught! MnDM: Beautiful tigers Great photo :) I also love little Na'Vi, her colouring is so pretty. Czar has such luminous eyes and beautiful colouring. Max does look a bit like a ratbag, bit of 'tude there :laugh: Fattima: I love your park shot, great angle! Don't worry, I've also done a plane window photo (pretty early on too!!) It is an amazing view. I adore your French couple and their dog - very photojournalistic. Again, I like the angle of your photo of the Savigny Chateau, the iron work is great. Your poppy field photo is also fab! Goodness, I'd hate to be responsible for cleaning all that glass! I really like the style of your photography, very doco/journalistic. You seem to get really interesting angles and views.

A bit of a catch up for me... I've been soooo busy that picking up my camera has been a challenge. My mission is to get my mojo back and keep up to date! Both of these were taken this weekend, same subject - my mum's kitten Jude. My sister gave Jude to my mum as a surprise gift for mother's day, he's a pet shop special. Coz don't ya know that pedigree animals are all neurotic?? When Jude met Kuma 22/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr They did not get along at all - I knew it was destined for failure, but my mum was convinced that a 50kg Akita who has never been around small fluffy animals would be just hunky dory. Anyway, nearly ended badly... but fortunately it all ended up a-ok. 23/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr Jude really is a cute little thing, very affectionate. He loved climbing on my OH - who is not a cat person.

Playing a bit of catch up... I'm sooo far behind, and have not been picking up my camera regularly. Week 19 I've had in my collection for a while, but the rest all came from this weekend. My mission is to regain my mojo and keep shooting each week. Expect to see loads of Sleeping Kuma shots!! 19/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr Cool winter's morning in Tamworth 20/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr Throw the treat! 21/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr Whoops, dropped the treat! 22/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr ...and, we're done. 23/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr

Oh Annie, I am so sorry for your loss. Run free Cowboy.

came across this today and thought I'd share in case there are some DOL photogs who might like to enter: Full article here and registrations here

God I'm so far behind!! I'll work on catching up... I don't want to give up! Been so busy lately, all my photos would be the same - Kuma in bed, Kuma on his futon, Kuma asleep - all taken when I get home from work at night :laugh: Not the most interesting collection!

Oooo I really like these! Wonder if any stores in Perth sell them .. Ours was bought at Pet Barn

have a look at Rubbermaid Scoup and Store. We have one of these, will hold up to a 20Kg bag. Has a handy scoup attached to the lid. Not the best picture, but to give you the idea: http://www.bowhouse.com.au/p/650171/rubbermaid-scoop-n-store-pet-food-storage-containers.html

Thanks for the feedback! I've been crazy busy and have not been able to have a go at re-editing them. Hopefully I'll grab some time this weekend. The little bastard was actually looking right at me but moved just as I pressed the shutter, so that photo is a blur has his head twisted to the side. Cheeky shit. He was playing up to me too! This was the best of the bunch. I'm still getting my head around all the settings and stuff, so it's all a learning game at this point. Some of them are not worthy of putting up for anything more than constructive critique. It was a really fun day, but next time will take my little tripod so I can get steader photos. :D Thanks to all for taking the time to comment, much appreciated!

beautiful photos - I love the colours. I actually like the close tree in your last photo. To me it gives the sensation of distance between the trees and adds a bit of visual depth, keeps my eye moving through the photo.

Kuma's an American Akita, however the breed originated in Japan. So, yes and no :laugh: I've got the american (english) down pat, but only have year 8 Japanese - counting to 10, greetings and the like. When we got Kuma as a puppy, Mr KumaAkita was explaining to his colleages what an Akita was - he told them all that since he's Japanese, he only speaks Japanese and only eats sushi and rice with a dash of soy sauce! they fell for it hook, line and sinker

We had a plan to meet family for lunch at Bateman's Bay today, and ended up at Mogo Zoo for the afternoon. Rather unexpected side trip, but I'm glad I thought to take my camera with me, and even better, remembered to chuck in my zoom lens. This was two firsts for me today - 1) first trip to the zoo; and 2) first real experience with my zoom lens. There are some photos I'm not happy with, and I would welcome comments/critique on them so I can learn how to be a better "zootographer". The ruddy chain link fencing is a bit of a bastard to shoot around, and keeping the camera still with a fully extended zoom is a challenge (left tripod at home!) Hard work being the alfa cat by KumaAkita, on Flickr Lunch Time! by KumaAkita, on Flickr Feeding Time! by KumaAkita, on Flickr Meerkat by KumaAkita, on Flickr Helllooooo! by KumaAkita, on Flickr The rest of the album is here

I did a one day photography course (called How to take better photos...) last weekend. I really enjoyed it, learned quite a bit. Mostly gave me the confidence to play with the settings on my camera. At the moment, I'm chucking out more photos than I keep but I hope over time I will reverse that! Week 20 20/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr This was taken this afternoon at Mogo Zoo, down on the south coast of NSW. My first ever zoo trip with a proper camera, it was fun!! You could purchase deer food at the kiosk, but we chose not to. This little guy was all excited to come over, but gave us the stink eye when we didn't have food for him :laugh: Week 21 21/52 by KumaAkita, on Flickr I'll come back and comment soon, but loving everything I'm seeing! Oh, and C&C welcome on my shots :D

I've no experience with either of those boarding kennels, sorry. Can give a good recommendation for Rovers Retreat out at Oallen (past Tarago). It's a long way out, but they do drop offs and pick ups. Kuma spent 6 nights there recently and came back happy! Good luck, it's such a hard decision. :D