Role Play

I recently watched a fun Japanese movie, DOG&POLICE , about a white alsatian training to protect and serve. Although the movie goes on about teamwork, in the end it is all about the hero and his dog going it alone, so I don't think it gets a five star rating, but I loved watching the dog training scenes and seeing how it relates to Claire and Nobu's training too. Nothing like a man in uniform, Nobu?

Nobunaga snoozing

Nautical setters

Big one, that one...

Yeah, right, big fishing boat, maybe?...

Tug boat approaching port quarter...

Tug boat...ahoy!

Starboard seagull one o'clock! Aye, aye captain!

Steady on course, it is...

Miserable weather...

It's so rainy, cold and miserable again today I just have to cheer myself up with this picture of Nobu in the sunny spring weather of a few days ago. Today I took the dogs for a long morning walk and they were soaked and soiled with dirt kicked up from the road and park, so I've shampooed them down before breakfast and they're on the sofa relaxing now, while I have to attack the pile of dishes in the sink and take out the trash. Blogging right now is pure procrastination!

Higashiogijima Dogrun

Yokohama dog runs leave so much to be desired, I find myself driving on the expressway to neighboring Kawasaki to enjoy the dogrun in the park. There's also a beach and Claire likes to swim after the waterfowl too, and then dry off in the dog run again.  Planes and boats go steaming by along with many kinds of birds, so both dogs really make full use of the run, getting good healthy exercise and mental stimulus, while I get to rest my weary bones on the bench.

Claire arrived from the CACI gundog rescue shelter a full eight months ago now, and her coat has improved incredibly, her tail is soft and silky and flowing. She has very fine downy hair, and it looks great in the wind. She's got a matronly air of satisfaction and confidence, a happy, beautiful English setter.

Meanwhile Nobu loves to play, lolloping round the dogrun, barking furiously, rolling in the grass and generally catching up on his lost childhood, nurturing the inner puppy. He's such a warm softie, gets me all mellow and protective. He's at his happiest playing with other friends, here with a friendly Saluki.

Declaration

I've been bloggin rescued English setters Nobunaga and Claire almost daily since August last year when Claire arrived from the setter pointer gundog rescue CACI in Chiba. Before Nobu and Claire in response to the Tohoku disaster we were caring for darling English setter Sofie, who sadly passed away two months after we adopted her. I think the pictures in this blog show how much Nobu and Claire are loved and appreciated, and how they have grown to feel relaxed and happy in their forever home.

Now I'd like to devote my energies to my work as the new term begins, and my dancing chacha to celebrate my fiftieth birthday in December, so I won't be blogging every day any more. Many of the pictures in the blog are classics, as I've tried to highlight the beauty and grace of setters, and I'll be scrolling back through the months from time to time to enjoy the pictures myself.

The rescue shelter desperately needs volunteers to walk the many dogs still waiting for adoption, and if you live in or near Ichikawa, Chiba, please lend a hand, or consider adopting one of these gorgeous darlings for your own home. Meanwhile, thank you for visiting my blog: enjoy :)

Cherry Blossoms

 The day started off freezing and with blue skies, and the two pictures below are from Okamura park which was recommended on FM Yokohama as a cherry viewing spot this weekend: I never noticed the cherry blossoms before, but with the dogs I walk by there often, so I decided to check it out. It's not that big an area so perhaps no hanami crowds, but nice flat lawn and low hanging trees to picnic under. Meanwhile every year I go with friends to Kuraki park pictured above, but it was so cold most people left really soon and the sky was dull and overcast, so I had Claire on my lap to keep warm :)