s = shelve.open(blah), s.items() Attribute Error

[Jeff Blaine]

It seems that shelf objects do not have an .items() method like
normal dictionary objects.

Is this true?

If so, it should probably be pointed out in the docs under 'Restrictions'
for shelve.  And also, is there a reason?

If not, what am I doing wrong?

s = {}
s = shelve.open(blah, 'c')
i = s.items()

AttributeError: items