Sit, Boo Boo, Sit!
Sit, Boo Boo, Sit!
Dogs have always figured strongly in my life. Ever since dad came home with a black pup with soft brown eyes, I fell in love with him and with dogs forever!
Tooziek was a gift - not for me, but for all of us kids, and, I think he was meant to be a guard dog too. Dad was away on business often and probably thought that a good strong and deep bark would be a good deterrent to any unwelcome intruders. As was the case most often in those days, he lived outside, in a dog house that was filled with hay for warmth and comfort - but in the winter he preferred to go into the shed, which was much larger and provided for a choice of places to curl up and sleep and mom left lots of soft bedding for him to lie on. There was a trap door that he used to enter and leave the shed, and eventually I think that he seldom used his house at all.
Tooziek certainly did his job. His barking alerted us to to any visitors whom we would find stopped in their tracks as Tooziek held them hostage, blocking further entrance with his body and barks. Eventually, Tooziek got to know who was a friend and would now be the first to greet the visitor with a welcome dance of skips. jumps and eager yelps!
That was a long time ago. We lived in Japan at the time. The country was still in the throes of rebuilding itself after the war and dogs were an expense not many cared to carry. You can imagine my surprise when on a recent visit, not only did I find plenty of dogs but to find that they now held pride of place as a valued and loved member of the family! If they happened to do double duty as guard dogs - well fine, but that was not their purpose at all.
No! These pooches were coiffed, pampered and fashionably dressed in the latest of
pooch apparel and accessories! In Karuizawa, which is sort of like the Sun Valley or Vail of Japan; Gucci, Hermes and Burberry were in evidence everywhere. Leads and collars in fine leathers with distinctive raised handiwork or encrusted with crystal, sprockets and other embellishments. Even in 90 degree temperatures these darlings were turned out in coats - pink presumably meant a girl dog - of plaids in greens and browns. Dachshunds appeared to be a favorite breed - but there were many dobermans, retrievers, shelties and of course, the national akita. Lap dogs glanced coyly out of decorated baskets and carriers hung on the arms of their equally fashionable humans. This was definitely designer haven!
I stopped in at several dog boutiques and found the array and choice of products astounding! The designs were so creative and varied. I was hard pressed at times to remember that this was a store for dogs and not babies! Doggie cafes sported menus of the most delectable of treats - do they taste like kobe beef I wonder or do they taste like sushi? And yes, you can book your pooch for a day at the spa including a pedicure and massage. Doggie day care facilities will make sure your pet has been exercised, bathed and perfumed in time for your pickup.
Japan's exceedingly strict and long quarantine periods of several months means that if heading that way, you will have to book your own pet for a stay at your local Doggie Hilton.
Dogs have always figured strongly in my life. Ever since dad came home with a black pup with soft brown eyes, I fell in love with him and with dogs forever!
Tooziek was a gift - not for me, but for all of us kids, and, I think he was meant to be a guard dog too. Dad was away on business often and probably thought that a good strong and deep bark would be a good deterrent to any unwelcome intruders. As was the case most often in those days, he lived outside, in a dog house that was filled with hay for warmth and comfort - but in the winter he preferred to go into the shed, which was much larger and provided for a choice of places to curl up and sleep and mom left lots of soft bedding for him to lie on. There was a trap door that he used to enter and leave the shed, and eventually I think that he seldom used his house at all.
Tooziek certainly did his job. His barking alerted us to to any visitors whom we would find stopped in their tracks as Tooziek held them hostage, blocking further entrance with his body and barks. Eventually, Tooziek got to know who was a friend and would now be the first to greet the visitor with a welcome dance of skips. jumps and eager yelps!
That was a long time ago. We lived in Japan at the time. The country was still in the throes of rebuilding itself after the war and dogs were an expense not many cared to carry. You can imagine my surprise when on a recent visit, not only did I find plenty of dogs but to find that they now held pride of place as a valued and loved member of the family! If they happened to do double duty as guard dogs - well fine, but that was not their purpose at all.
No! These pooches were coiffed, pampered and fashionably dressed in the latest of
pooch apparel and accessories! In Karuizawa, which is sort of like the Sun Valley or Vail of Japan; Gucci, Hermes and Burberry were in evidence everywhere. Leads and collars in fine leathers with distinctive raised handiwork or encrusted with crystal, sprockets and other embellishments. Even in 90 degree temperatures these darlings were turned out in coats - pink presumably meant a girl dog - of plaids in greens and browns. Dachshunds appeared to be a favorite breed - but there were many dobermans, retrievers, shelties and of course, the national akita. Lap dogs glanced coyly out of decorated baskets and carriers hung on the arms of their equally fashionable humans. This was definitely designer haven!
I stopped in at several dog boutiques and found the array and choice of products astounding! The designs were so creative and varied. I was hard pressed at times to remember that this was a store for dogs and not babies! Doggie cafes sported menus of the most delectable of treats - do they taste like kobe beef I wonder or do they taste like sushi? And yes, you can book your pooch for a day at the spa including a pedicure and massage. Doggie day care facilities will make sure your pet has been exercised, bathed and perfumed in time for your pickup.
Japan's exceedingly strict and long quarantine periods of several months means that if heading that way, you will have to book your own pet for a stay at your local Doggie Hilton.
posted by Valentina at 2:25 PM
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