Satori 's Forest: A Shiloh Shepherd Dog from Prince Edward Islands

Happy holidays!

2011-12-26T01:47:00.001+09:00

I usually write a Season's Greeting and send it to my family and friends.

But this time, I tried......but I could not make it.

So here...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Next year should be better for me. (probably this year was not so bad for Richard and two fur girls)

A lunch for one day

2011-08-13T23:27:00.003+09:00

Richard is not at home now.

Many green peppers are growing in our yard.

So I picked them and gave some to my friends.

But still a lot in the fridge.

One of my neighbours was a Japanese restaurant chef. He taught me how to cook the green pepper when I gave them before.

So I tried to do it for my lunch.

Just roast the pepper over the gas burner, then add salt. That's it!!

Roast them till they become softer.

Those were not enough for my lunch. Then I cook Soba, or buckwheat noodle.

Soba with Nori seaweed, or dried laver seaweed.

You need a kind of sauce, which is called 'Soba tsuyu' to dip Soba into.
When I was picking the green peppers, a nice idea crossed my mind.

Twinkle......twinkle

I picked several Okra, too. I sliced cucumber and Okra both from our yard and tossed into the sauce. And added tomatoes, which were also from our yard.

This picture doesn't look nice, but it was tasty!!!

Eating at Richard's desk

as watching 'The Dog Whispere' ;-)

By the way, it was not so hot when I ate the green pepper a few weeks ago. But this time,

I could scream in English like 'Oh, my goodness!'

A few of the cooked pepper were incredibly hot, hot, hot!!

I was recalled the feeling when I ate jalapeno in Indonesia.

I was wondering why some of them were so hot and some were not.

Then I found out that the green pepper becomes really hot when it is planted near red peppers, or less water, or summer heat at night.

Wow, our green peppers are perfect under those conditions this year.

Probably even Richard didn't know about it.

Well, whatever I love noodles in summer time, especially such a hot summer.

Muuuuuuuuum, yummy!!

Richard will come back home next week.

Girls are waiting for you!!! I think.

Our 10th Anniviersary

2011-08-13T21:40:00.000+09:00

Last year we talk about our 10th Anniversary in April, 2011.
We planned to go on a trip to Hokkaido where is located in the north. But we changed the plan because of the huge earthquake.

Instead of that idea, Richard suggested me to go and do something completely new to us.
So I told him about my idea, which made him totally speechless.

I said,

'Let's go to the new Haneda Airport (Big Bird) by bus!'

As for Richard, it seemed to be strange to go to the airport to celebrate our anniversary.
But to me, I thought that it was perfectly fulfilling all the conditions of what he suggested.
Because we had never been there together since we met!!!

We could enjoy the scenery from a bus window.

It took about 90 minutes from Tachikawa city where we live.

Here we are!

WELCOME TO HANEDA AIRPORT!!

The moment which an air plane is taking off makes me so excited at any age.
I don't know why, but Richard didn't seem to be excited to see the plane.
I wonder if he is no longer far from feeling moved??? Or a down-to-earth individual? :-<

We didn't take pictures of the terminal.
So what we did?

Eating and drinking.

Yeah!!!!

Richard's lunch

Drinking alcohol in the daytime

'Bloody Mary'

One of my favourite

'Daiquiri'　

Today's Richard's favourite

What a memorable anniversary we had! ;-)

Enjoy spring!!

2011-05-07T15:40:00.000+09:00

Since the Great Tohoku Earthquake occurred, I didn't feel like going out for fun.

I love spring, especially the period of the cherry blossom.

But we often had aftershock. That's why my friend and I cancelled our appointment to have 'Ohanami' or cherry blossom viewing.

But I still love spring anyway.

Richard and I went out to see the cherry blossoms in April.

Because of the disaster, somehow, people were in a mood of voluntary ban. So there were not many groups of cherry blossom viewing as usual.

Richard really worked hard on his vage field this year.

He said that he had to prepare for the future. I mean, he thinks it would be difficult to afford food in the future because of the transformations of the earth and economy in the world.

He worked his vage field on the beginning of April.

Then about two weeks later, the field became like those.

Aren't they grow amazingly quick?

So another two weeks......

I can tell you how hard he worked!

We shared some of those leaves with our neighbours. They were amazed how big and healthy leaves Richard made.

What did I do?

I cooked them ;-)
Sorry..... to be honest, I am scared with bugs, worms and caterpillars.

But I love Herbs, flowers and trees. I seldom encounter worms while I take care of them.

Lucky me!!!!

This is one of my favourite tree. I intentionally try to plant something smell nice.

This tree smells sweet like banana.

I'll introduce some of flowers from our yard.

And our girl, Leila

See ya!!

Earthquake, Tsunami and the nuclear power plants

2011-03-21T21:45:00.000+09:00

Japan is a volcanic country. So I went through lots of earthquakes since I was a child.

But the earthquake which occurred on the 11th of March was the biggest one I ever had. First the news announced that the level of the earthquake was 3 in Tokyo.
But all of people who lived in Tokyo didn't believe it.
Later Japanese government announced it was level 5.

At the time when the earthquake occurred, I was outside with my girls, Satori and Leila. We had just come back from a walk. Then the ground we stood on started shaking suddenly. And I saw the trees and the houses shaking and twitching just after I heard a big sound like ka-boom.
It didn't stop. The ground shook nearly for a few minutes.
I was a little bit scared, but I tried to be calm at once because I found Satori became nervous when she felt something was wrong through my attitude and the shaking ground.
Leila started barking, too.

As all you know, the earthquake and the tsunami destroyed some towns and the cities.
Not only that, but also we were told the nuclear power plants were also damaged badly.

After one week, there was no fuel, batteries, food, toilet paper etc. in shops in Tokyo.

Besides Tokyo Electric Power Company decided to implement rolling blackouts because of the damages of the power plants.

So when we went shopping to a supermarket near our house, there were vegetables and some sweets on the shelves, but no bread, preserved food and meat.

Most of the supermarkets are like this.
So those stores hang a sign which is written;
one for each, please.

I don't know what made people buy so many goods in hurry.
Japanese government officially announced,

"Stop stocking up on food or daily supply!!"

For us, we can manage. We won't die even if we are not able to eat bread or meat.
And luckily we bought a huge amount of rice a few weeks before this disaster happened.
Richard mentioned that something would happened sooner or later. So we should prepare for the day and for people who might not be able to prepare.

When we bought three of 30kg bags of rice, the shop owner whispered into my ear,

"you are not a restaurant owner, so what are you going to do with that much rice?"

But he might have understood now if he remembers us.

We appreciate to know our friends who live either out of Japan and in Japan considered us.
We are still suffered from the radiation.
But we are spending peacefully and take care of each other.

The day before yesterday, we saw the moon which was closest to the earth once in 20 years.

My camera is not designed for this kind of shot. But we enjoyed the moon which looked a bit bigger and fabulous.

Also in the stream near our house, lots of tadpoles are born.

In the evening, we took our girls for a walk.

It seems nothing has changed..

But people's mind are suffered from the disaster still.

Supposed to be a Happy spring......It's hardly possible that...

2011-03-21T00:29:00.001+09:00

Spring has come!

Last year of this month, Papa Gordon and Mama Susan visited us in Japan.

We had a nice time. It feels like just a moment ago ;-)

But.......

who would have imagined such a tragic catastrophe would happen the next year?

Continued.....

(Sorry, my husband who dearly cares about me said that I should go to bed because it is too late to keep staying up ;-) So I will finish my blog tomorrow. I promise!! )

Why Richard loves autum

2010-11-11T22:04:00.002+09:00

It was incredibly hot this summer in Tokyo.

They were sitting next each other and waiting for autumn to come.

Satori was hot!!

Even Leila was hot, too!!

But....

Finally autumn has come.

The beautiful view of Cosmos flowers
at the Showa-kinen Park

Visiting Nasu-area

Toughtful silence

Turning red and yellow

In a ropeway gondola

Enjoying dinner at a pension

(What is 'pension'? For reference)

http://izu-sakuraya.jp/plj-e/index.htm

The pension in daytime

The pension we stayed at night

I loved the atmosphere at night because the pension is the only house around the area.

The house stood out in the darkness.

And I love the front door.

I thought it would be nice to have the kind of door in the picture above for our house in USA.

I dropped a gentle hint about the door to Richard, but he neither said yes nor no about it. So which means... hopeful? ;-)

An entertaiment park
"Nasu Animal Kingdom"

At the horses area, you can buy some vegetables for them. I love horses, so I was watching them for a while. Then I found a skinny one. She seemed to be an omega type. When people tried to give her carrots, other horses immediately intruded into her place and ate up carrots.

So I bought a couple of cups of vegetables for her. Somehow I understand which type of dogs become omega. But I didn't know much about horses, so I didn't understand why she was treated like that.

Anyway Richard seemed to have enjoyed the beginning of autumn.

"I LOVE AUTUMN"

Those are his favourite words.
I know why he loves autumn.

Because.......... my birthday is in October!!!!!

;-)

Speaking of my birthday, thank you very much for the wonderful card for me, Papa Gordon and Mama Susan!!

"I LOVE IT!!!"

Yeppie, summer trip! （final)

2010-09-02T22:07:00.000+09:00

The last day of our trip, we visited Kamikochi area which we had enjoyed two years ago.
Kamikochi is one of the most scenic spots in Japan.
Dogs are allowed with you only till Kappa Bridge spot.
So it's better to leave them at the cottage or inn at which you are staying.

Last time when we visited there, we thought that it would be nice to own land like this in the USA.
And this time, we felt the same as we did last time.

We started walking from Taisho-Pond. Then we headed for Myojin-Pond, but unfortunately we couldn't make it because we were running out of time to go back to the pension(a kind of small inn) where Satori and Leila were waiting.

I will show you the pictures. Maybe less words are needed to explain how beautiful it is.

Tisho Pond(starting point)

Tashiro Pond

Azusa River

How clear it is!!

Lingering snow over Azusa River

And you will encounter many unique flora.

The trace which a well-organized bug ate

Yeah, here he is!

He walked slowly, so he could check each plants. I left him for a while because I wanted to go to the rest room ;-)

I don't remember how long it took to get to Kappa Bridge which is the main spot in Kamikochi.

There is a Bus Terminal, many restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels and a museum.

We got into the museum to be cool down.

If you are lucky enough, you might encounter those birds on the mountain.

"Raicho"

or Rock ptarmigan

This display represents the birds with their summer coat. They will be completely white in winter, in order to camouflage them in snow.

After lunch, we headed for the Myojin Pond which is a crystal clear spring.

But on our way there, we realized that our bus was going to leave within an half and hour. So we decided to go back to the Bus Terminal.

It was hard to leave such a nice place like Kamikochi.

But our girls were waiting for us in their cages. So we had to go back.

Maybe next time, we are going to challenge to visit the Myojin Pond.

We were hungry when we got back.

Not only our girls but also a wonderful dinner was waiting for us, too.

Those are a part of our dinner; the Hamburg steak of Hida Beef covered with pie.

(We had eaten a salmon saute with apricot sauce before the Hamburg steak. )

We had a nice time all together.

I can't wait our summer vacation next year.

Then our summer vacation was over.

Richard 's work started.
So I have to get up earlier to make his lunch box. Peace!!

written by Arwen

Yeppie, summer trip! No.2)

2010-08-17T11:55:00.001+09:00

Last year, we visited Shirakawa village, which is registered as the World Heritage in Japan.
There is another World Heritage village near there.It takes about 15 minutes from Shirakawa village. There are not so many houses as Shirakawa has. So it took only 30 minutes to look around.
But it was HOT, HOT, HOT again.

Satori was always trying to walk in the shade. But eventually she found a nice way to cool down.
This is a farm ditch. The water was really cool.

She really loved it.

Isn't she cute?

After bathing, she seemed happy.

The next day, we visited a water fall."Zengoro no taki"
(Mr.Zengoro's water fall)

Contrary to the village, we enjoyed being splashed by the water.

The area was wonderful for a stroll.
We enjoyed the amazing ways the old trees grew.

The trees and plants there were very unique.
We never see such flora in Tokyo.

We walked around as we imagined how those trees created these shapes.

After a long walk, of course, we took a rest for a while.
I was sure our girls expected some munchies ;-)

to be continued......

Yeppie, summer trip! （No.1)

2010-08-02T13:41:00.001+09:00

Richard, Satori, Leila & I enjoyed our annual summer trip from July 22nd through July 28.
In Japan, it is said that the weather is going to be sunny for a week after the rainy season is over.
It was over on July 19 this year.

Yes, it was right!

The weather was perfect during our trip.It was cool at the camp site where we always stayed, but some places we visited at the time were really hot. Hot! Hot!

On the second day at the camp site, we visited a ranch.It was our second time to visit there. That's called "Kiso-uma no sato", which means "The Home of the horses of Kiso" . Japanese "Kiso" horses are pastured. Kiso horses are originated from Kiso area in Japan. They have become rare in Japan. The horses used to be considered a part of family for Kiso people. But few people need them for their daily lives anymore.

They have dark mane, just like Japanese hair.

In fact, we wanted to do blue berries picking.

But as you can see, it was too hot to do it.

Even Leila who can usually endure extrema heat was panting.

Such a hot day, this would be the only choice to do!!

That was a Soft-frozen Yogurt with mixed berry source.

YUMMY!!

At night, Richard started making fire for cooking, which is one of his favourite activities to clean up dead trees in the camp site.

Satori preferred staying outside to sleeping in her crate.

So she was out all night.

to be continued..............

Foud out!

2010-05-03T22:29:00.001+09:00

After Richard's parents left, Richard and I thought we had such productive days with his parents, indeed.
Besides we found out we noticed something new about them.

In the case of me:

When we went to Kyoto, we dropped by a hotel for lunch.
We sat in the chairs at the lounge, and watching a girl who worn a pretty Japanese kimono was been taken a picture in the yard of the hotel.
There were two mute swans swimming in the pond.
Mama Susan said quietly,

"I want mute swans like those."

Suddenly I, whom Richard calls "city girl", felt like slapping my cheek to wake me up and shouted in my mind as I was relaxing and watching the swan swimming.

"WHAT?"

and tried to listen to carefully what she said again.
Speaking of wanting the swans, a few days ago, she said that she wanted to keep peacocks, especially a white one in their yard.

"Joking.....right?"

When I heard of it at the first time, generally speaking, peacocks are the birds which are supposed to be kept in zoo or by people who are such a show-off and are living in a big-castle-like mansion with enormous greenery lawn yard.
Of course, I know their property is huge, but......

When she mentioned it, Papa Gordon and Richard seemed to took seriously what she said and strongly opposed because peacocks are very loud and they easily fly up to the roof and poop everywhere.
Papa Gordon said that who cleans the roof, and Richard said that he would not visit their place if they keep peacocks.

"So.....it was NOT joke."

Then this time, she said that she wanted mute swans!!!
She has horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and guinea hens...anyway lots of animals.
I DO understand that all of her conversations came from loving animals deeply, didn't it?

But sorry for her, her idea of having mute swans also seemed to be rejected as peacocks because of two reasons;

One is that buying mute swans in USA cost a lot.
The other reason is that this species seemed to be aggressive.

I see. That's a reasonable!!

In the case of Richard;

I took many pictures of Papa Gordon and Mama Susan. Then I showed Richard those pictures after they went back home.
Richard liked most of the pictures I took. But his most favourite one of his parents is this.

He said that it was the first time for him to see his dad sniffing flowers like this, which made Richard happy. I was also happy when I heard of it. Doesn't it sound like all family look at the same direction and share the pleasure time together?

by Arwen

P.S.

And at the end, I found out that my mother-in-law is really a cute lady!!!

Busy Spring time! No.2 Final

2010-04-29T20:07:00.000+09:00

2. Visiting

We took Papa Gordon and Mama Susan a several places in Kyoto. I left house a bit later and I caught them up in Kyoto around noon. So before I arrived, they visited Kinkaku-ji (literally Temple of the Golden Pavilion) and Ryoan-temple.

　
as reference

We were supposed to meet somewhere near Nijo Castle. But Richard & his parents couldn't catch a taxi, because Ryoan-ji is located in a suburb area of Kyoto, so it seemed to be sometimes difficult to find a taxi. So I got a taxi to pick them up.

After lunch, we went to Nijo Castle .

Richard worked hard to answer the questions which his parents asked.
I think that it was good timing for them to visit us in Japan.
Because Richard has lived in Japan more than ten years, so he understands Japan very well now and also can speak Japanese well. So I didn't need to barge in, which was good.
I really enjoyed myself as well as they did.

Stone wall and moat in Nijo Castle

Papa Gordon was interested in the metal door

In the evening, we visited Kiyomizu-temple.
It was very cold because the temple is built in the mountain.

And it was also the last day of Kyotohanatouro Festival. We enjoyed lots of lanterns and flower arrangements.

And while we walked our way through the crowd in the street, we happened to encounter an attraction which was called 'the Parade of the Fox's Wedding. '

I don't think anybody else noticed it.
It was lucky to see the parade.

It was raining the next day when we left Kyoto.
Before we went home, we visited Sagano area. First we went to Tenryu-ji. Even on a week day, there were many people visiting the place. A big pond in front of the temple was created by a famous monk in the 13th century . We sat on the bench and took a rest while we watched the pond, which was relaxing.

Even the rain, we had a great time together.

Mama Susan & me

The lane of Bamboo

After they left Japan, it became cold in Tokyo. (We had even snow a few weeks ago. )

Richard sometimes visited them. But I hadn't met them for years since Satori lived with us.
But I didn't feel we hadn't seen them for a long time. I think it is because of email and chatting through the internet.

Sometimes I am not so happy with too much progress toward technology.
But this time, I really appreciated it to be able to communicate easily with people abroad.

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu!!

Richard and I had a wonderful time with Papa Gordon & Mama Susan.

by Arwen

Busy Spring time!! No.1

2010-04-14T15:23:00.021+09:00

On March 19th, Richard's parents, Papa Gordon & Mama Susan, visited us in Tokyo.
It was the first time for them to come to Japan. Or I could say they were the first persons of Richard's family, even relatives.
I am sure they would not have visited in Japan if we were not here.

Our fur girls also had their first experience.
Because we planned to take Papa Gordon & Mama Susan to Kyoto. So we had to keep them somewhere for one night. But luckily our dog's family doctor offered the service to keep them at their clinic.

Papa Gordon & Mama Susan have animals at their house, so they couldn't stay long. They were only 7 days in Japan. Papa Gordon & Mama Susan stayed at our house. Papa Gordon is as tall as Richard. So I was worried about him banging his head against a transom in our house.
Actually it seemed happen a couple times when he was here :-<

1. First Experiences

At a restaurant

An appetite@ "Ukai Toriyama" one of the nice restaurant near our house

the buttons of the 'Washle t' toilet
I hadn't known this was a special tool only in Japan till Mama Susan asked me how to use it.

I explained about the meaning of the pictures and being able to adjust the strength of the shower and so on. Eventually the conversation was expanded and going on and on, you know.
Like;
how it was when she pressed the buttons at the first time .
if she could flush the toilet etc.
Then suddenly Richard said,
"Hey! I don't want to talk about it further, 'cause I don't wanna picture it."
and made it stop.

Getting on a train

At the train ticket gate

Staying at a Japanese inn in Kyoto

enjoying their conversation at the Kotatsu in the inn

The picture up here showed everybody looked comfortably relaxing and enjoyed their time.
But to tell the truth, Papa Gordon had a little bit hard time till he found the proper position :-<

Step 1.

Step2.

Here we go.
Everybody smile! :-)Finally his long legs got into their right position.

breakfast at the inn in Kyoto

The next day, it was raining in Kyoto.

Continue..................

I LOVE SAKURA (cherry blossoms!)　No.2

2010-04-13T20:58:00.014+09:00

(Maybe) a Peach tree with mixed colours

Near my house

The Cherry trees around the centre of Tokyo city

My favourite cherry tree, which is called "Jindai-sakura"The cherry trees in Kyoto

Dogs don't care about flowers, do they? So do my daughters.

But I think they might want me to be paid attention to them.

How cute they are!!

written by Arwen

Sakura! Sakura! Sakura!(cherry blossoms!)　No.1

2010-04-10T11:28:00.019+09:00

The cherry trees in the parking of a hospital

It's called "Sakura Aveneu" near my house

The Sakura Avenue from the opposite site

At the Showa-Kinen Park, which I often visit with my fur-girls

At a park with my friend's daughter & K9 Game players

The cherry trees in Kyoto

Visiting Japan!!!

2010-03-14T21:40:00.001+09:00

SAKURA!!
The cherry blossom!!

Yes, they have already bloomed. There are many kinds of Sakura trees. This is the tree near our house. It might be the Kawazu breed which is famous as the early flowering cherry tree. Cherry trees usually come into bloom earlier during warmer weather. Every year, the prediction of the first date of the cherry blossoms is announced around the beginning of March. It would be around the 21st of March in Tokyo this year. Their lives are short. Cherry trees fully blossom about a week after they start to bloom, and petals will scatter to the ground. They usually only last for about a week after the peak date of full bloom. I hope cherry blossoms are going to be full bloom just on the right time around the forth week of March this year.

WHY?

Papa Gordon & Mama Susan are coming to Japan on the 19th of March.
They are Richard's parents. In Japan, you should call your parents-in-law 'father' and 'mother' . But I noticed that it would sound awkward to an American parents to be called like that from their children-in-law. In the USA, probably you call them by their first name as friends do. That is a bit odd to me. So I didn't know how to call Richards parents at the beginning. But one day, it popped in my mind to call them, Papa Gordon and Mama Susan. I was afraid if they accepted me to call them like those. So far, they seem to not mind.

I am so excited to have them here in Japan. They are going to stay at our house that we are renting. I am afraid that they must be surprised when they see this house.Because of the small rooms, the low ceiling, the height of the toilette and so on. BUT...... All of Richard, Satori, Leila and me are looking forward to seeing them again!
Especially as for me, I haven't seen them for years. And as for our fur daughters, it will be the first time to see them.

The special chocolate!

2010-03-07T11:10:00.000+09:00

A few years ago, Richard didn't eat chocolates because he said that he seemed to be allergic to chocolates.
In Japan, girls give chocolates to boys whom they like on the Valentine's Day every year.
People know that it is the chocolate companies in Japan promote to increase the Valentine's Day sale. But the companies offered the girls chances to open their heart to their a-secret-crush-on.

I dare to say 'offered'.

Because nowadays young girls think that they can speak their mind whenever they feel it is the time! But the custom to give chocolates is still going on. Many girls and wives bought chocolates for somebody who means a lot to them.

So did I!

I bought chocolate for Richard. Because his chocolate-allergy seems to be gone.
You know, I don't like having the same things with others.

Then these were the one I got for him.
They are really unique, aren't they?

The taste was good, though.

BONUS PICTURE

Scottish Night on February 14

Quick introduction about the new year in Japan

2010-02-02T14:43:00.024+09:00

In front of the gates on New Year

My dad passed away on the 8th of January, 2009.
In Japan, people usually go into mourning a year when their parent died. So my family did, which means no special meal for the New Year. No New Year greeting.

We spent our time whatever we wanted to.
So did our fur daughter.

We spent three days at my mother's house. After we got back, we visited Takahata-Fudo temple.

Takahata Fudo temple

washing your hands and rinse your mouth
(to cleanse before getting in the temple)

What are they doing?
They are doing................

incense
(Feel the smoke, then your weak points are gonna be healed? It's said.)

in front of Dainichi-do, or the hall where a statue is placed.

To tell the truth,

My main purpose was to see Mr. Hijikata, and to eat the New Year Udon.

Hijikata, Toshizo

"the Kaiun-udon"
(or a good luck Udon)

On a happy occasion, we often eat gold!
(it's good for your health, too!)

I was invited to the martial arts demonstration, which is Richard studies.

The first demonstration after turning of the year

He looked serious.
Of course, he should!!

And at the last, my niece participated in a coming-of-age ceremony. She has become 20 years old. So she is admitted as an adult in Japan.

My niece in Japanese Kimono

Well, I think I wrote almost everything what our new year was like.

written by Arwen

Have a good year!

2009-12-30T11:25:00.001+09:00

We are going to stay my mother's house a couple days.

Wish everyone good luck for the coming year!

See you next year!

Winter is coming

2009-11-29T13:35:00.002+09:00

First of all, I should announce that our K9 Games team, "Wandrous" didn't make top five this time.

But we deserved it. And at the same time, the other teams' improvement of the skill amazed us.
We usually starts our dog training after April. But probably the other teams start after the K9 Games Champion Ship.
So our leader, Nacchan, has made up her mind to start our training a bit earlier next year.
OK!
I will follow her decision anyway.

We stayed at a cottage around the event site the day before the Games, which we enjoyed to us.

visiting a nice park near Mt.Fuji

Having dinner at a nice restaurant with my nice friends

&

Look! What a big sweets!

This was not mine. But suddenly an insane murderer appeared and tried to kill the pie.

aiiieee！！

photo by Nacchan

In the night, we shared the cottage with Nacchan's family.

photo by Nacchan

She is Sachika, Sacchin in short. Isn't she cute? She is not be afraid of big dogs like Satori at all. I wonder it is because of her mother who is a dog trainer?

photo by Nacchan

Our K9 Games this time was not so good, but we did our best so far.

"Woof woof relay"

"Musical chair"

Thank you to
all the members!!

K9 Games was over, then winter has come.

by Arwen

Hooray!!!

2009-10-09T10:51:00.004+09:00

Thank you very much!!

our
'Wandrous' team

has earned a place in

The Champion Ship

at K9 Games® in November 8 !!!

Frankly speaking, I never ever expected it.
That's why I have already put my uniform in order in my closet ;-p

written by Arwen

K9 Games® qualifying trial

2009-10-08T21:25:00.001+09:00

Have you ever heard of K9 GAMES®?
Dr.Ian Dunbar who is a veterinarian, animal behaviourist created this competitive games for dogs and owners and the games were held in 1995 in San Francisco.
In Japan, they were held in 2005. In subsequent, 2006,2007,2008 and 2009.
At the first and the second competition, I participated with Satori. Then our team, 'Dogs In Black' won a prize at the first time K9 Games® in Japan.

2005 　waiting for the Doggy Dash

2006 'Dogs In Black 'team members

The third time, I was in the games with Leila. It was a big challenge for us because she was a bit shy when she was among dogs.

2007 'Wandrous' members in the dance costume

But I think she did her best.
I skipped joining in 2008 because of my private matter.

Then I participated in the games with Leila this year again.

Team 'Wandrous' photo by Hata

We won third prize among six teams. After all, I thought we needed some more practice.
So we don't know whether if we are able to show up 'The Japan K9 Games Champion Ship' or not.
Because there were 27 team entries and only eight teams are going to be selected for the Champion Ship.
Well, we will find out on the 9th of October, which is the announcement day.
We enjoyed the game anyway. That is the spirits of the K9 Games.

both photos by Hata

Good by and thank you. Satori's mama, Tella

2009-09-14T22:28:00.001+09:00

On the 3rd of September, Tella died.
Tella was a beautiful dog who delivered lots of puppies in this world, including our Satori.
She died just before being 12 years old on the 9th of this month.

photo from my website presented by
NS abfiCH CJ's Sweet Tarantella of Kuro, CGC, TT, OFA, ROM
September 9, 1997 - September 3, 2009

We really thank Tella who let us have such a nice girl, Satori.

Our beautiful girl, Satori (Does she look like mama?)

Tella, we won't forget you!

May her spirit rest in peace.

Summer vacation (1) surgery

2009-08-23T07:06:00.002+09:00

In Japan, we had a long rainy season this year.
So during our trip, unfortunately we sometimes had lots of rain.

When Richard came back home from abroad, his body condition was not perfect.
We were supposed to set off for our holiday three days later after he came back, though.
We were not sure whether we could go or not.
So I couldn't finish packing until the last moment, which I don't like. Because I always pack ahead. So I had almost given up going on camping.

But luckily he recovered, and we could set off to visit my uncle and aunt, and our friend at the campsite in Takayama-city after leaving one day late.

My uncle and aunt were glad that Richard became well, and we visited them with Satori and Leila.
Leila who was on the alert for them before became relax with each visit.
My uncle is nearly blind and is unable to walk from diabetes. But when he started talking about a famous Sumo wrestler, 'Futaba-yama' who was active around 1920-1930, he stood up and explained how the wrestler was great with many gestures.

Richard was lying down in the Tatami-mats room next to the living room where we were chatting, but he woke up because my uncle suddenly started talking in high spirits.
We had a nice time together, time passed quick. They were sorry we had to leave.

It seemed likely to rain when we arrived at the campground of our friend, Okuhara-san or Mr.Okuhara who was waiting for us. So we quickly put up our tent and just as we finished, it rained cats and dogs.

As usual, around the period we visit, almost nobody was there.
That night, we gathered for dinner and drinks at Okuhara-san's office. Okuhara-san also invited a young couple who were staying at the campground.
They came from Osaka-city. They have known each other since they were university students. They haven't married yet. So Okuhara-san tried to remind them to marry as if he were their father. ;-)

In Japan, we call people who always bring rain, 'rain woman' or 'rain man'.
They said that they were both rain people.
Remarkably the rain finally stopped when they left the campground the next day.

After we left my uncle's house, Satori really acted so weird. She didn't want to stay in her crate.
She didn't listen to us. She often licked her bottom. When I checked her body, it didn't look unusual. But somehow we were worried about her, we took Satori to the vet which Okuhara-san usually took his dog, Jiji.

The veterinarian had a painful expression on his face as soon as he saw her bottom, and said,
"Ahaaaaaaaaa!! It's her anal sac eruption"

WHAT?!

He showed me by pulling up Satori's tale.
Yes...... I could see a big hole.
The day before when I checked her ass, I thought I saw the spot, but I thought it was just a spot of mud from sleeping out in the rain. It must have been blood and I just didn't recognize it.
Oh, my God!! My poor Satori.

According to the vet, it was caused by infection because the high humidity had stressed her immune system. And it became pus-filled and eventually ruptured.
The hole was rather big and infected, and it needed immediate cleansing. So he recommended surgery.

SURGERY?!

He said that Satori didn't need to stay over at the clinic.
So we promised to pick poor Satori up five hours later and left there.
Then we decided to spend our time at Shirakawa village which is the one of the World Heritage

Of Japan.

Richard seemed to be really satisfied with the old Japanese atmosphere.
We picked Satori up at five o'clock in the evening. She was so happy when she saw us.

We somehow enjoyed the rest of our stay at the campsite.
We invited Okuhara-san for dinner at our site.

Richard was preparing fire.

Leila was relaxing.

BUT here was the most miserable girl.

After surgery, she was wearing 'Elisabeth collar'. (I don't know what you call in English.)

This year, our trip ended with Satori's surgery.
Now Satori is doing well after the operation.

Total solar eclips(2)

2009-07-22T10:53:00.002+09:00

It's finished in Japan.
It happened only a part of Japan. But I could watched the event on TV.
Of course, I would have felt more excitement if I were there.

This is the one of the TV show. This is the island called Yakushima. The commentator in the show said the light which looked like the gloom of the sun set was the area of partial solar eclips, the other side that the total solar eclips occurred was completely dark.

Unfortunately it was raining most of area in Japan.
But this is the nice shot from Iwo Jima, or Iwo island.
I was able to see the prominence in the show, which was great.

Next 'Total solar eclips show' in Japan will be 26years later.
I wonder if I am still in Japan?

written by Arwen

Satori 's Forest: A Shiloh Shepherd Dog from Prince Edward Islands

Happy holidays!

A lunch for one day

Our 10th Anniviersary

Enjoy spring!!

Earthquake, Tsunami and the nuclear power plants

Supposed to be a Happy spring......It's hardly possible that...

Why Richard loves autum

Yeppie, summer trip! （final)

Yeppie, summer trip! No.2)

Yeppie, summer trip! （No.1)

Foud out!

Busy Spring time! No.2 Final

Busy Spring time!! No.1

I LOVE SAKURA (cherry blossoms!) No.2

Sakura! Sakura! Sakura!(cherry blossoms!) No.1

Visiting Japan!!!

The special chocolate!

Quick introduction about the new year in Japan

Have a good year!

Winter is coming

Hooray!!!

K9 Games® qualifying trial

Good by and thank you. Satori's mama, Tella

Summer vacation (1) surgery

Total solar eclips(2)

I LOVE SAKURA (cherry blossoms!)　No.2

Sakura! Sakura! Sakura!(cherry blossoms!)　No.1