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...
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Volunteering at Heart Tokushima
One of the JEARS team members spent some time at one of the JEARS shelters (remember, there are 3 in total).
Junko went to HEART TOKUSHIMA. Here is her blog where describes her time there. The blog is in Japanese, but there are some pictures too. She talks about the dogs who are so eager to go out for walks. All they want is the love and attention from the volunteers. She also talks about Maruko, who was rescued from the rubble after 11 days following the earthquake.
Here is Junko's blog - Junko's blog from Heart Tokushima
If you want to know more details, just ask!!
Want to volunteer at JEARS? CLICK HERE.
Junko went to HEART TOKUSHIMA. Here is her blog where describes her time there. The blog is in Japanese, but there are some pictures too. She talks about the dogs who are so eager to go out for walks. All they want is the love and attention from the volunteers. She also talks about Maruko, who was rescued from the rubble after 11 days following the earthquake.
Here is Junko's blog - Junko's blog from Heart Tokushima
If you want to know more details, just ask!!
Want to volunteer at JEARS? CLICK HERE.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A break from blogging?
Today is June 13th.
There is a busy month ahead of things such as dogs, friends - leaving &and visiting, another trip up north, various writing projects and even, (resumed today and so far feeling good about it!) studying Japanese!
I may be slow on the blogging front, although, it seems when I say things like that, or that it will be a short post, it is quite the opposite. We shall see.
Recent blogs have helped me get some sort of routine and good practice for my own writing projects. I am still in great danger of starting so many, what we can call 'good ideas; and then letting them lie on the waste side.
This shall not be happening any more. I have just (with the help of my dearest and bestest friend) finished my novella, which was 16 months in the making, simply because I didn't have the energy to just re-read a basic chapter. The editing and the review is the hardest part, but if you add that to the completion of a task, then we are looking at rather challenging missions!
So, I am pleased to say that things are rolling, but I should probably turn my attention back to the study, the writing.
I still need to finish the kalaweit blog too, and hopefully add some more poems to the 'Leonora Sophie' blog, so, actually, I shall not be going very far! besides, I think I am secretly very hooked to this blog page, and I have a feeling I will be updating the latest frog and dog pics very soon!!
Lee
^_^
Just for the record...
There is a busy month ahead of things such as dogs, friends - leaving &and visiting, another trip up north, various writing projects and even, (resumed today and so far feeling good about it!) studying Japanese!
I may be slow on the blogging front, although, it seems when I say things like that, or that it will be a short post, it is quite the opposite. We shall see.
Recent blogs have helped me get some sort of routine and good practice for my own writing projects. I am still in great danger of starting so many, what we can call 'good ideas; and then letting them lie on the waste side.
This shall not be happening any more. I have just (with the help of my dearest and bestest friend) finished my novella, which was 16 months in the making, simply because I didn't have the energy to just re-read a basic chapter. The editing and the review is the hardest part, but if you add that to the completion of a task, then we are looking at rather challenging missions!
So, I am pleased to say that things are rolling, but I should probably turn my attention back to the study, the writing.
I still need to finish the kalaweit blog too, and hopefully add some more poems to the 'Leonora Sophie' blog, so, actually, I shall not be going very far! besides, I think I am secretly very hooked to this blog page, and I have a feeling I will be updating the latest frog and dog pics very soon!!
Lee
^_^
Just for the record...
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Death in the road
So, along the walks with the dogs, I have already written about the creatures that we see. There have been ducks, turtles, cranes and they have all made me smile.
But, there is another, darker side to this beautiful countryside we love so much. Survival is something we all must do. Failure, means one thing. Death. Sudden, dramatic, however it may happen, it is going to end.
Remember I mentioned a turtle crossing our path? How I wish we had rescued him and put him back in the water. Ian saw a crushed turtle, shell and everything, on the side of the road just the other day. It is hard to say it was the same one, although, he did think it had the same dark shell (the turtles here are mostly terrapins with the stripes, so a darker one would be remembered).
He had also spoken to me of dead shrimps in his path. I didn't believe him. Surely the lake wasn't so fertile that they were living there. Well, they do, or they were.
So, the fishermen really do have their pick of things in the lake, which is surprising to think about when you look at it, for it isn't that healthy at all.
And, lastly, for this post, I have to just describe what Susie and I came across.
I could see on the path ahead a couple of crows on the road. Really, I knew they could only be doing one thing, but I prayed that there was no creature involved. But, of course, crows are crows and they were eating at a poor, poor pigeon. The pigeons here are clean and cute unlike those I am used to back home.
The crows flew away as I approached, so after a car passed, I was able to try and move it to the side of the road. Unfortunately, Susie wanted a sniff too, and even though I pulled her away, she still found some feathers and looked at me as if to say 'what?'.
I moved the carrion but I had clearly disturbed the peace. The crows were all up in arms as I walked on and by the racket they were making, they were not happy. I was scared they would swoop down to peck at me (they are horrible creatures and totally would), so Susie and I ran as fast as we could home.
Nature isn't always so nice, is it?
Happy Monday!!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
www.animalwalktokyo.com
So, today was the animal walk! The sun came out, as did many, many people, animals too, all to support JEARS! Thank you!!
I got to meet the organiser, Brandy and also another JEARS helper, Kumi!
So many animals were there with their owners. I wish I could have brought Elbi, but the journey would have been too long for him. And, I had no transport for Susie, so it was just me and my human friends.
Registration was ¥2000, all of which of course went to support the animals. The turnout was great! The facebook event had 25 confirmed, but there were most certainly more people than that!
We were each handed a map and a JEARS information leaflet and we were ready to go, after the fashion show, that was!
Given the heat, even at that early hour, it was difficult to dress the dogs in much more than the fur they already had, but there were a few clad especially for the occasion.
I think Brandy's dog was a favourite of mine, given the fact that he looked like a potential best friend for Elbi!
There was even some colour co ordination. This dog on the right, called Spike, had a gorgeous turquoise scarf on to represent the animal walk group's colour!
The dogs in the prams were adorable too, in a monster-y kind of way! Lol
One lady had designed her own T-shirt for her and her dachshund.
It just goes to show that people do care. She was also handing out flyers to help try and raise awareness amongst the Japanese people about animal shelters. So many animals are dying in Hokenjos, yet people still shop for pets like they do accessories.
Someone even brought their cat along!
All in all, the walk was a great success. We also got to meet a lady, who can help us with some more publicity. I will post the finished article here too once it is done!
It wasn't a long walk, but for some animals, it was hard work in the sun of early June.
Thanks to all those who took part! Thank you to Brandy for organising the event! I can't wait to do it again! We need more of these fun fundraising events, things that many people can enjoy, but that also give them the chance to support those in need!
Otsukaredesama to the animal walk group!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I got to meet the organiser, Brandy and also another JEARS helper, Kumi!
So many animals were there with their owners. I wish I could have brought Elbi, but the journey would have been too long for him. And, I had no transport for Susie, so it was just me and my human friends.
Registration was ¥2000, all of which of course went to support the animals. The turnout was great! The facebook event had 25 confirmed, but there were most certainly more people than that!
We were each handed a map and a JEARS information leaflet and we were ready to go, after the fashion show, that was!
Given the heat, even at that early hour, it was difficult to dress the dogs in much more than the fur they already had, but there were a few clad especially for the occasion.
I think Brandy's dog was a favourite of mine, given the fact that he looked like a potential best friend for Elbi!
There was even some colour co ordination. This dog on the right, called Spike, had a gorgeous turquoise scarf on to represent the animal walk group's colour!
The dogs in the prams were adorable too, in a monster-y kind of way! Lol
One lady had designed her own T-shirt for her and her dachshund.
It just goes to show that people do care. She was also handing out flyers to help try and raise awareness amongst the Japanese people about animal shelters. So many animals are dying in Hokenjos, yet people still shop for pets like they do accessories.
Someone even brought their cat along!
All in all, the walk was a great success. We also got to meet a lady, who can help us with some more publicity. I will post the finished article here too once it is done!
It wasn't a long walk, but for some animals, it was hard work in the sun of early June.
Thanks to all those who took part! Thank you to Brandy for organising the event! I can't wait to do it again! We need more of these fun fundraising events, things that many people can enjoy, but that also give them the chance to support those in need!
Otsukaredesama to the animal walk group!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:代々木公園、東京、日本。
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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
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
Monday, May 30, 2011
Get out my way!!!!!
What follows is not a rant, surprise, surprise.
Here is a little list of the things (read 'creatures'!) that I have seen on my travels here in Kasukabe.
Amongst all the madness, we are still adapting to the countryside life and i marvel at the beauties I see each day.
Walking the dog (read 'dogs'), there have been a few things that you certainly would never find on your travels elsewhere.
If you walk at dusk, you witness an amazing sunset, but, if you leave the house a little later, you may miss it, but you won't miss the mystery the darkness brings.
The little frogs may jump ahead of you, moving from field to field. Sometimes they are camouflaged and match the colour of the road. Other times, they are a stunning green. I believe I posted a picture of them already. Either way, Elbi is bound to spot them and chase after them!
This weekend, on a walk with Susie, there was a duck up ahead waddling along. Sensing our approach, he flew into the filed itself. We often see ducks together, sometimes in pairs sitting in the rice fields. It is a cute sight. This one is just a loner enjoying the sunset...
On Sunday, Ian and I were surprised to see a turtle on the road. I'm not sure where he was headed as it looked like he was leaving the lake and the wet life behind him, but we let him be and dragged Elbi away.
This morning, out with Susie, there were the remains of a crab, yes, crab. I didn't even double take, I stopped, looked down and stared hard. All that remained was a pincer, just the one and a small part of the body shell. The lake was about a two minute human walk away, so a fair feat for the sideways-walking creature, only to be had for a late supper by a devilishly hungry crow no doubt.
Seeing so much nature around you is great. You really do stop to appreciate it. It's like being on holiday, although today isn't anymore. They typhoon/tropical storm/ heavy winds and rain have set in for the night. It doesn't sound pleasant at all outside. It does make me wonder what will wash up in the storm tomorrow....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Here is a little list of the things (read 'creatures'!) that I have seen on my travels here in Kasukabe.
Amongst all the madness, we are still adapting to the countryside life and i marvel at the beauties I see each day.
Walking the dog (read 'dogs'), there have been a few things that you certainly would never find on your travels elsewhere.
If you walk at dusk, you witness an amazing sunset, but, if you leave the house a little later, you may miss it, but you won't miss the mystery the darkness brings.
The little frogs may jump ahead of you, moving from field to field. Sometimes they are camouflaged and match the colour of the road. Other times, they are a stunning green. I believe I posted a picture of them already. Either way, Elbi is bound to spot them and chase after them!
This weekend, on a walk with Susie, there was a duck up ahead waddling along. Sensing our approach, he flew into the filed itself. We often see ducks together, sometimes in pairs sitting in the rice fields. It is a cute sight. This one is just a loner enjoying the sunset...
On Sunday, Ian and I were surprised to see a turtle on the road. I'm not sure where he was headed as it looked like he was leaving the lake and the wet life behind him, but we let him be and dragged Elbi away.
This morning, out with Susie, there were the remains of a crab, yes, crab. I didn't even double take, I stopped, looked down and stared hard. All that remained was a pincer, just the one and a small part of the body shell. The lake was about a two minute human walk away, so a fair feat for the sideways-walking creature, only to be had for a late supper by a devilishly hungry crow no doubt.
Seeing so much nature around you is great. You really do stop to appreciate it. It's like being on holiday, although today isn't anymore. They typhoon/tropical storm/ heavy winds and rain have set in for the night. It doesn't sound pleasant at all outside. It does make me wonder what will wash up in the storm tomorrow....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Animal lovers? It's just a different mentality.
I feel like I can't say to much right now, but yet, there is a rant and a half brewing.
The good thing is that I write from almost-the-flip-side.
Setbacks, knockdowns,we all have them and the reason we have them is to see how we all bounce back from them.
Right now, I am perched down as I type, sat outside a kennel, where little Susie is sleeping/eating her new bone/ looking lovingly into my eyes.
She is just a lovely dog, and we have had a great few days with her.
Unfortunately, there have been other factors that have ruined our relaxed vibe here and also put her permanently outside in the kennel.
Animals are 'cared' for ever so differently here in Japan.
Even our neighbour is a prime example. They have a beautiful chocolate brown labrador, and as much as they might love her, she lives chained up, outside in a kennel. She might go inside when the father of the house comes home, until then, she barks at anything that moves, but more out of frustration, I think than anything else.
She is lovely, but, when I go to the side of the house for the recycling, I can see her big poo, piled just at the end of the area where the chain reaches.
The pet culture here is harsh and for some reason, I am only just waking up to it.
I have seen marmosets in the pet store before. And while this shocked me beyond sickness, I did my research and sadly found out that this was not illegal. And the day before yesterday, we saw some marmosets in cages here in Kasukabe. I am not sure what kind of shop it was but I would suspect that they are 'on display'. Sick.
A few weeks ago, we saw a man with a monkey on his shoulder just a-walkin' along. I did a few double takes, tempted to run over there and question the dude, but, the monkey seemed happy enough.
The idea of having a pet is to make the animal happy, and they, in turn, make you happy or am i missing something?
In Japan, animals are sold in small boxes from a far-too-early age. Some kittens and puppies can barely open their eyes, yet they are being sold for 100 000 plus (more often double) yen.
When they get to a certain age, where they aren't seen to be cute any more, (tender age of 3 months sometimes...) they aren't in the shops any more.
Speculation says that they are sent to hokenjos to be gassed.
Unwanted animals are gassed in Japan. Something like 500 000 animals are killed there each year. They don't all come from pet stores, they can simply be abandoned and, as you can imagine at this time, from the earthquake and tsunami.
And then, there are the cases of those not euthanised properly, not giving treatment when sick, so they just get sicker....
Right now, I feel disheartened. So many people are working towards doing the right thing for animals, yet others lack the heart even with their own animals.
It doesn't even take that much effort from the start. If only we can think first.
Maybe then a dog won't be abandoned in a ditch and left starving and shellshocked, but not from the earthquake and tsunami. How could you do that to your pet? Why have the pet in the first place? Let's just hope that the owner and animal actually aren't reunited...!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The good thing is that I write from almost-the-flip-side.
Setbacks, knockdowns,we all have them and the reason we have them is to see how we all bounce back from them.
Right now, I am perched down as I type, sat outside a kennel, where little Susie is sleeping/eating her new bone/ looking lovingly into my eyes.
She is just a lovely dog, and we have had a great few days with her.
Unfortunately, there have been other factors that have ruined our relaxed vibe here and also put her permanently outside in the kennel.
Animals are 'cared' for ever so differently here in Japan.
Even our neighbour is a prime example. They have a beautiful chocolate brown labrador, and as much as they might love her, she lives chained up, outside in a kennel. She might go inside when the father of the house comes home, until then, she barks at anything that moves, but more out of frustration, I think than anything else.
She is lovely, but, when I go to the side of the house for the recycling, I can see her big poo, piled just at the end of the area where the chain reaches.
The pet culture here is harsh and for some reason, I am only just waking up to it.
I have seen marmosets in the pet store before. And while this shocked me beyond sickness, I did my research and sadly found out that this was not illegal. And the day before yesterday, we saw some marmosets in cages here in Kasukabe. I am not sure what kind of shop it was but I would suspect that they are 'on display'. Sick.
A few weeks ago, we saw a man with a monkey on his shoulder just a-walkin' along. I did a few double takes, tempted to run over there and question the dude, but, the monkey seemed happy enough.
The idea of having a pet is to make the animal happy, and they, in turn, make you happy or am i missing something?
In Japan, animals are sold in small boxes from a far-too-early age. Some kittens and puppies can barely open their eyes, yet they are being sold for 100 000 plus (more often double) yen.
When they get to a certain age, where they aren't seen to be cute any more, (tender age of 3 months sometimes...) they aren't in the shops any more.
Speculation says that they are sent to hokenjos to be gassed.
Unwanted animals are gassed in Japan. Something like 500 000 animals are killed there each year. They don't all come from pet stores, they can simply be abandoned and, as you can imagine at this time, from the earthquake and tsunami.
And then, there are the cases of those not euthanised properly, not giving treatment when sick, so they just get sicker....
Right now, I feel disheartened. So many people are working towards doing the right thing for animals, yet others lack the heart even with their own animals.
It doesn't even take that much effort from the start. If only we can think first.
Maybe then a dog won't be abandoned in a ditch and left starving and shellshocked, but not from the earthquake and tsunami. How could you do that to your pet? Why have the pet in the first place? Let's just hope that the owner and animal actually aren't reunited...!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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