The story of the first puppy who became my child
It is thanks to the dogs who have become family that I decided to create a ‘Dogs and Cats’ page on this website.
Even without words, we can communicate with them. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say that we do understand each other.
Also, they may not have a facial expression known as a ‘smile’ like humans do, but they express their joys, sorrows, anger and pleasures using their whole bodies.
One of my fellow postgraduate students has been involved from the very start in setting up an organization targeting “zero euthanasia” and promoting “additive-free pet food”. She is also helping with this website.
Our first family pet
The first pet to join our family was a Chihuahua.
I first met her at a small neighbourhood pet shop I’d dropped into on a whim. There were a few puppies for sale there. (I can’t remember now whether there were any cats there or not.)
It was my first time in that shop, but she seemed to take a particular interest in me.
Whenever I went the next day, or on subsequent days, she would come over to me through the glass, wagging her tail with pure joy.
“I simply have to make her our family.”
That’s what I decided.
I later realized that she seemed to approach everyone… Well, that’s only to be expected, isn’t it ?
The little Chihuahua who came to live with us
She arrived at our home when she was about two months old. She was a tiny puppy, still covered in her peach fuzz.
She was characterized by her short muzzle, and even as she grew into an adult, her charming face never changed.
She had a very gentle personality and never barked, even when she saw strangers.
In fact, he was a very timid little dog.
Even when our cockatiel was nearby, she never once played with it using her front paws or bit it.
As a result, the cockatiel would always perch on her back.
Whenever we saw her like that, we’d think, ‘She really is such a gentle and peaceful little dog.’
Loved to burrow in
She absolutely loved burrowing into the kotatsu, under the table, and under cushions.
Maybe because she was quite timid, she felt safe when something was covering her, like a roof.
When she’d burrowed under a small cushion, she looked truly relaxed.
It was such a lovely sight, and I still remember it to this day.
The Chihuahua who brought us so much comfort
The time we lived together was never long.
Even so, this child gave us so much comfort and happiness.
In Japanese, there is the term “companion animal”. We also think of them as “companion animals that bring joy”.
I think it’s a truly wonderful expression.
Every pet animal is a beloved presence to their family, and within the home, they may well be like ‘angels’.
When living with dogs and cats, even though they cannot speak, there are many moments when our hearts connect.
That is precisely why we would like to regard them not merely as ‘pet animal’, but as cherished members of the family.
Finally, regarding ‘euthanasia’ that is one of the problems facing Japan, we hope that the number of areas where it is abolished will increase, and that it will eventually be completely abolished.
Also, we hope to see positive change in the way animal deaths are treated as simply property damage, unlike human deaths.
I hope that my memories of this child will encourage as many people as possible to reflect on the lives of dogs and cats.
Thanks.
2022/07/15