In this together: Shannon Orlandi with Soba, Mochi and Tofu.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
What’s better than one shiba inu? Three shibas!
Shannon Orlandi fell in love with shiba inus during a trip to Japan, so when he returned home, he had a plan to adopt one of every kind.
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“After Mochi, I was going to try and get one of each colour, because you can get them in black and tan as well, but then I ended up getting Soba instead and so I sort of stuck with that,” Mr Orlandi said.
Mochi
Oldest and wisest: Mochi.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The first and oldest is Mochi, who is white all over and full of leadership skills. She rules the house with an iron fist.
Since her puppy days, she has been in the care of Mr Orlandi, having moved in in 2019.
Although she runs the house, according to Mr Orlandi, she values her alone time and beauty sleep.
“She is quite aloof, she actually likes to be on her own most of the time,” he said.
She is an introvert but that just makes her cuddles that much more appreciated — just ask her siblings.
Tofu
Gentle: Tofu.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
She has defied the long-established stereotype that shiba inus scream loudly and are full of confidence.
Three-year-old Tofu is the so-called sook of the three, so it’s important she is given the attention she deserves.
“She usually likes to come and have pats, and she’ll often, like, tap you for attention until she gets the pats that she wants,” Mr Orlandi said.
Her soft coat and timid personality make her the centre of any and all pats; however, she would argue that that all changed when her younger brother showed up.
Soba
Sun’s out, tongue’s out: Soba.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Soba, on the other hand, fits the stereotypes of being a youngest sibling.
“Soba is just full of beans, he just likes to run around,” Mr Orlandi said.
“He’s just getting into a mischief at the moment.”
But who could say no to his squishy puppy face and fluffy curly tail?
Like many siblings, Mochi, Tofu and Soba have their ups and downs, fluctuating between best friends and mortal enemies.
“Some days they wake up in different moods, they usually get on like a house on fire,” Mr Orlandi said.
Like most parents of adorable four-legged friends, Mr Orlandi spoils his three pups with any toy they desire — but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Like children, if I go anywhere, I take them to Petstock and let them pick out a toy, so they’ve got like five different varieties of crocodiles,” he said, with a chuckle.
