Koji
Koji, Salemtowne's resident Shiba Inu, and my constant companion
Koji is a beautiful Japanese name that is simple to spell and pronounce. Koji, also written as Kōji, is a common name among men in Japan; many notable Japanese men are named Koji. It is also used as a character name in many anime series. Koji has different meanings, such as “heal,” “peace,” "little one," and "small boy," depending on the kanji used. For Koji, I used the "small boy" meaning.
Koji is a Shiba Inu (brushwood dog). And no, even though the looks like a fox, he is not even related to a fox.
Red Fox versus Shiba Inu
The Japanese Wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax) was a subspecies that was smaller than most grey wolves. The last recorded one was killed in Japan in 1905,
Although a Shiba Inu may look like a Red Fox, on a genetic level, the two species are not related. However; Shiba Inus do share as much as 5.5 percent of their DNA with the Japanese Wolf, which became extinct over 100 years ago. According to a 2004 study, Genetic Structure of the Purebred Domestic Dog, the four dog breeds closest genetically to the wolf are the Shiba Inu, Chow, Japanese Akita, and Alaskan Malamute.
To learn more about the Shiba Inu, check out this YouTube documentary: https://youtu.be/yCe0LxQfBvg
When Shiba's hunt, they bound into an area and then look for any escaping prey. Here is Koji in the Salemtowne Courtyard practicing his bounding skills.
Koji's first day as a Salemtowne resident at 3 months old. October 2021
Posing at sunset, May 2022 at 10 months old
Sound asleep April 2023
Squirrel hunting April 2023
On the hunt, April 2023
Relaxing at home, April 2023, one year 9 months old
Koji's response when I told him he had to obey me