(My) Tohoku update

Being back from holiday is great. feeling so ready and refreshed to do so much.As I wrote before, there was to be one promise and that was 'my pace'.Sadly, this pace includes the financial path as well as the mental one.

If I could have it my way, I would be back now to help this weekend. But, such things are not possible.

Work, Elbi, many personal projects (work related) and then some visitors too, all stop me from dropping things and going up north.

So many people are helping and this is great.

We have a plan to go up (my husband and I together) once again in October. There is a long weekend, and we can devote more time to the work needed.

In the meantime, there is still plently to be done from Saitama. JEARS is still running strong and we must update the facebook page almost daily. The animals are all being cared for by amazing people who still need our support.

Sadly, Susie had to return to the shelter she came from. Having two dogs completely opposite to each other was difficult. She needed walking at 5am, Elbi just wanted to muck around. He never accepted her, she never responded to his play requests and subsequently hit back one time damaging his eyes (now recovered - phew).

The shelter is is at, is HEART, Tokushima. I have mentioned it before (one of the 3 JEARS shelters). We promised to go down and help at the shelter, but I just checked the flights down there and it isn't cheap, so we may have to wait until we have a longer break in order to use the time more wisely.

In the meantime, we are still collecting donations

JEARS HOME PAGE

and you can read about all the updates on our facebook page.

JEARS on facebook

My Pace

From now on, 'My pace' is the only pace.

Yes, we are back and I have adopted this great bit of katakana as my new motto.

Before we left Japan, it is safe to say that we had taken on far more than we could handle and were pushing ourselves far too much.

Life with Susie was not a simple one, especially not with all the other daily chores such as life, work and endlessly trying to save the world.

Well, I have come to realise that the world cannot be saved with no energy and no time, so these are the things I shall now focus on.

All in good time, while making sure to allow plenty of time for family and work life.

One other thing that this time away has reignited is the taste for adventure. It had been a (mad,busy) year since our last vacation and we can now remember the importance of time-out, adventure and exploration.

In short, this holiday did what it should. We are ready to continue with our hard work but with a lot of balance for our own peace of mind.

More on the blogs soon....my pace, remember.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kasukabe,Japan

Need a holiday?

I am putting coffee in my natto, dog food in the freezer and apparently, letting the dogs run free off their lead to explore the neighbourhood.

My computer SD slot, won't let me use it, my laptop was close to crashing last week, so I almost lost the plot.

Thankfully, today is a beautiful sunny day and I am not working tomorrow.

Last week, we decided to go on a belated honeymoon and if that wasn't booked, I think I would really lose the plot.

I am trying to organise a trip to Sendai before I go to take up some donations to hand out, yet, I fear these two dogs will rule the weekend by bringing me back early.

Next week, we are inviting friends over for the animal food drive, to collect more food donations, hopefully.

It is non stop till 13th July when it all stops.

If only I can keep my eyes open till then...

Knackered....

And here are the cute reasons why..

Elbi, demanding morning cuddles

Susie, looking very cute and ready for a walk.

Snoring Elbi

Susie, passed out on the Indo style sofa!

Elbi & Susie

Well, it has been just over 2 weeks!

There has been progress! We have established routines, ignored & fixed the previous issues and overcome any potential problems with either the neighbours or the dogs themselves!

She was barking and even howling at the start, scared of separation or wary of noise. Even the past couple of nights, she was barking at 1am!! Aaarg, Susie, what is wrong? I think it was either food or pee related, so last night, I made sure she was OK and, indeed, there was no barking! Phew. We could all catch up on our sleep!

From a ditch, Susie has travelled the lengths of Japan - I met her in Niigata, after she was found in Fukushima and taken to AFN. From there, she was transported to Heart Tokushima, where she was spayed and eventually then driven up to Saitama. She has certainly travelled further than me these past few months!

And, now, look at them!! These dogs get it better than us!

This is last weekend, and, weather permitting, this is what we have to look forward to this weekend as well!

Elbi is 16 months old, so he still has a big puppy element to him. I think he loves Susie, but he really wants her to play with him. She, on the other hand, just wants to sit back, preferably ON you and get tickled! She is a big baby at heart, but very different to our other +10kg baby of muscle!

They walk relatively well together, that is, when Elbi isn't pulling!

But, he is learning from her too. He is sniffing a lot more. She follows her nose like a real dog. He does what he pleases! But, now he sniffs more. This isn't always a good thing! lol

Sometimes, her nose takes her north. I wonder how much of home she can smell...or is it just the local talent?!

She loves to run and I think that off her lead, she would just go. Elbi tries to run, but he is only small and gets out of breath a lot quicker. Sometimes, he just needs a break en route!

Right now, it is 7.30am and both dogs are completely conked out after their beautiful morning walk. We went out around 5.45 (!) and it was already very warm. I am also pooped, but must now get ready for work!! lol

Have a great day!

Susie

I have never fostered before.

They say that fostering is harder than adoption because you cannot keep the animal(s). I can see this to be very true indeed.

One week on from Susie arriving and I love her immensely already. We have had set backs this week from various outside factors, but that has not stopped us having fun with her. I would easily say that this will be a difficult goodbye and not without tears.










This morning was hectic, I walked Susie, then tried to walk Elbi, but each time (total of three!), Susie was barking in the garden. I had to return as it was before 7am and I worried about the neighbours.

I decided to take them both out, a job that should be reserved for the after work part of the day. By half past 8, I reached the train station to begin my working day and I was shattered, not to mention starving!

But, coming home to Susie and her hugs...well, it was all worth it! She jumped in my lap and I tickled her curly-haired neck for ages. She just loves the love.

Even Elbi behaved, well, for a short while.

The thing with Susie is that she needs to know you are there. So, even now, as she must stay outside (thankfully no typhoons!), I am sat by the back door, so she knows I am near.

She whimpers when she can't see you and that whimper can easily become a bark, nay, a howl at one point!

I find it hard to leave animals when they make noses, make eyes, anything. I can't stand the separation. It breaks my heart even to know that, right now, poor Susie is sat alone in the kennel. I am thankful there is no rain and no winds to add to the lonely trauma of outside life.

Elbi suddenly loves the kennel!








I still cannot understand why you would have a pet but not actually interact with it. Animals left in kennels, it is too lonely.

Anyway, Susie is a grand dog, full of love, full of strength and desire to run the open road. I love her! She is so much fun to walk. She follows her nose, something that Elbi is copying! She runs through hedges, puddles, she doesn't care where! She just loves being outside and on the move.

Elbi and her get along to a point. He is still to genki but he just wants to play. She doesn't mind him so much, but gets a little miffed when he over sniffs her crotch!








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Kasukabe,Japan

Pictures..The JEARS flyer

OK, so, yesterday I had my first success (apart from my work, who who probably drawn by some sort of obligation).

Here is the flyer at the local supermarket....I had the chance to check it today and unlike the pet store, they have actually put it up!!

And as for my day?

Well, Susie arrived! Our little survivor friend from the north!!

By now, she has travelled around more of Japan than most of us! Remember, I had met her in Niigata? Well, she had come from Tohoku before moving there. And then, she was taken to HEART, Tokushima. now, finally she has been delivered to us! Bless her!

Here is her meeting Elbi. We are sure they will get along.

There may be a small adjustment period, but she loves love, just as much as Elbi, so we will be sure to give it and share it!

It is great to be able to be part of the continuing JEARS story.

If you are reading this and know someone able to foster or adopt, please contact someone at jears - foster@jears.org