It seems crazy, but when I think
about the things and people I miss most, it is my dogs that are highest on the
list. Even before Anata. That sounds really harsh and cold. It is.
But in this magical age of technology, I can see and talk to him
whenever I want. Except at 3AM. He is
not happy when I call at that time. He understands my absence, even if it hurts
him to be apart from me. But how do you
explain moving to another continent to a dog?
I can't imagine the turmoil of emotion they go through every time they
hear the car door, but mama still doesn't come home. Anata says they have started sleeping through
the night and seem to have stopped obviously pining for me, but I imagine they
are still confused and upset over my continued absence. Videos and Skype chats with them are guaranteed to unleash the waterworks and make me homesick for days. I miss their unbridled happiness every time I
cam home (even if I was only gone for five minutes). I miss their innocence. I miss their antics. And I miss their snuggles.
This longing for warm, fuzzy fur babies is only made worse by the massive amount of dogs in Japan (many of them the same breed as my oldest pup).
I am not sure why I expected there to be no dogs in Japan. Maybe space. Maybe unenlightened and prejudiced ideas about Asian countries. Who knows. But I was honestly astounded at the number of dogs I see every day. There are many breeds. Most are small with toy poodles and long haired dotson seeming to be the favorite. For larger breeds I see a lot of shiba inu (an actual Japanese dog with ties to their mythology) and, for some reason, corgis. I don’t see many very large breeds, for obvious reasons, but I have seen several standard poodles, perfectly groomed and strutting their stuff. My Stupid Muppet would never fit in here. In fact, all the dogs I have seen are show ready. It is almost like I am waiting for their owners to start that funny little jog as they lead the next best in show down the streets of Osaka.
In the winter, many of these dogs are better dressed than I am! They all have fashionable jackets, bows, and booties. Some even have pants. It was quite a sight to see a French Bulldog trotting down the street in a replica kimono or animal onesie.
Whether they are dressed to the nines or au natural, I can't help but smile as I watch these pups prance around. My excitement usually leads to an approving smile from their owners. I am hesitant to ask to pet many of the dogs, even though I want to so badly. I am not sure how to ask in Japanese. But every once in a while I find an amiable looking dog owner, and excited pooch, and I give it a shot. It usually ends with a super excited dog trying desperately to crawl into my lap. They love the attention and so do their owners - especially when I coo at their beloved fur baby in English. Westerners must have a different smell, because we seem to be irresistible to Japanese dogs.
My babies would never fit in with these pampered pooches, but constantly being surrounded by adored and adorable four legged friends makes every walk a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Most days I am able to smile and enjoy the special relationship between Japanese people and their dogs. I have to keep from laughing out loud when I think about my own babies in some of the costumes I see paraded on the street. Other days I end up choking back tears. Almost two years apart is a very long time in dog years. Will they even remember me?
I really miss my puppies.
This longing for warm, fuzzy fur babies is only made worse by the massive amount of dogs in Japan (many of them the same breed as my oldest pup).
I am not sure why I expected there to be no dogs in Japan. Maybe space. Maybe unenlightened and prejudiced ideas about Asian countries. Who knows. But I was honestly astounded at the number of dogs I see every day. There are many breeds. Most are small with toy poodles and long haired dotson seeming to be the favorite. For larger breeds I see a lot of shiba inu (an actual Japanese dog with ties to their mythology) and, for some reason, corgis. I don’t see many very large breeds, for obvious reasons, but I have seen several standard poodles, perfectly groomed and strutting their stuff. My Stupid Muppet would never fit in here. In fact, all the dogs I have seen are show ready. It is almost like I am waiting for their owners to start that funny little jog as they lead the next best in show down the streets of Osaka.
In the winter, many of these dogs are better dressed than I am! They all have fashionable jackets, bows, and booties. Some even have pants. It was quite a sight to see a French Bulldog trotting down the street in a replica kimono or animal onesie.
Whether they are dressed to the nines or au natural, I can't help but smile as I watch these pups prance around. My excitement usually leads to an approving smile from their owners. I am hesitant to ask to pet many of the dogs, even though I want to so badly. I am not sure how to ask in Japanese. But every once in a while I find an amiable looking dog owner, and excited pooch, and I give it a shot. It usually ends with a super excited dog trying desperately to crawl into my lap. They love the attention and so do their owners - especially when I coo at their beloved fur baby in English. Westerners must have a different smell, because we seem to be irresistible to Japanese dogs.
My babies would never fit in with these pampered pooches, but constantly being surrounded by adored and adorable four legged friends makes every walk a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Most days I am able to smile and enjoy the special relationship between Japanese people and their dogs. I have to keep from laughing out loud when I think about my own babies in some of the costumes I see paraded on the street. Other days I end up choking back tears. Almost two years apart is a very long time in dog years. Will they even remember me?
I really miss my puppies.
