One dog...

In Japan, if you do something a little different, even if there is a difference that you can barely notice, it shocks a fair few.

Here, rules are rules, and people like to stick by them. Whether it is a recipe for takoyaki (octopus dumplings), or the way you sit and behave in school, to the number and types of animals you may keep.

Some cultures teach people to be different, to express themselves in many ways and not be shy. Other cultures are not like this. This is all fine, but one must respect the other, or at least pretend to...

Today's rant refers to pets.

We are noticing a change in attitude from the people around us. Whether idle gossip has actually sparked a change, or we are just being paranoid after recent events, something in the air is different.

'Ah, you have TWO dogs', they say as we walk together in the fields. Everyone around here has one, at least one big one. There were three shitzus walking without leads yesterday, but they are small dogs, so I am guessing that is ok.

So, once again, we, the quirky ones, are changing the way things roll.

All we are trying to do is help, but, it seems that concept is lost. The words 'volunteer' and 'NGO/NPO' are understood, but the actions and work behind them are not.

Keeping two dogs here is not easy. Elbi is, in his own right, enough work. Susie cannot stop barking when left alone. Today being the worst day so far! I tried to walk Elbi three times and then resigned myself to bringing Susie out once more so she wouldn't bark.

We don't need anyone else making things more difficult.

That said, one of the guys and his dog did stop to say hello for the first time today. Maybe the vibe is not as bad as I think...


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad