“サトリの森” ～ Forever

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

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 mor...

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.

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

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

In Japan, TV shows have begun a live broadcast of the event from 9:30 a.m.

It passed for ten days since Satolela papa went abroad. Three girls here in Tokyo are getting on well with each other ;-)　And we really take good care of our house. My friends envy me because they think that all I can do during Richard's absence is doing for myself only. No! not only for me! For my fur daughters, too. And to tell the truth, even he is in Japan, he goes to a martial arts school every day and come home late. So as for me, our daily life now is not so big difference from when he was at home. Well....., but maybe my friends are right. Because I don't go shopping for meals and don't need to be worried about what to cook for dinner. By the way...... Do you remember the story of 'The Bridges of Madison county'? Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson, for four days. Yes, something happened while Richard is away from home . Should I tell him what happened when he comes back? or not? Actuall...

We are in the middle of rainy season, which makes me gloomy. But I also know that we need rain, otherwise we are going to be suffered from water shortage during summer time. Before the rainy season had started, we collected June berry. In Japan, this berry is not common. We collected them in the park we often visit near our house. I made jam out of them. I think I did well because they were fresh-picked June berry. A few days later, I bought Ume , or Japanese apricot in order to make Umeboshi (pickled Ume). I heard lots of foreigners love Japanese food, but there are some they don't like. I think that Umeboshi is typically the one of delicacies in Japan, which foreigners would say, 'No thank you' . Even many Japanese youngsters don't like it these days. Umeboshi is extremely sour, but it is said to have effective antiseptic properties. We put it in your lunch box, or in a rice ball. So.....What about Satolela papa ? Does he eat it? The answer i...

My second cousin, Kuninobu, and I were the planners of the annual family meeting this year. Last year somebody at the party mentioned that it would be nice to visit somewhere nice places where is associated with our ancestors. When we trace back our ancestry, they came from Yamanashi-Prefecture as I mentioned before . One day trip is sometimes a bit hard for old people, so I didn't expect a large number of people to join this tour. But though it was raining on that day, 29 people participated. To begin with , we visited our ancestors family temple, 'Erinji'. We were led to the main room and greeted the highest monk of the temple. Not anybody can get into this room. It looked gorgeous and was peacefully quiet. After we left the room, we visited the graves of our ancestors, Takeda Shingen and Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. To get there, we went through the special corridor. It's called 'Uguisu (Japanese bush warbler) rooka (corridor) ' Because when you wa...