Home from the morning walk Claire and Nobu head straight for the shower, (a miracle, Nobu walks straight there from the door no fuss, all on his own now) and I rinse off their paws. Claire goes first while Nobu laps at a bowl of water waiting his turn, and then both settle down on the cool kitchen tiles to calm their pounding hearts and panting breath while I ready breakfast...in no time they're both peacefully asleep, dreaming of breakfast.
Even when she's snoozing, there's one sound that is guaranteed to get Claire growling: the sound of whistling :) I was listening to Flo Rida's new song, Whistle, and Claire growls and gently barks reprovingly...good song though.
A tiny hint of autumn in the air, the breeze stirring the chestnut leaves as Claire scans for pigeons, alert, but still carrying some of the dreamy heat of summer.
"You have thrown in your lot with us, through thick and thin, on battlefield and hearthrug, refusing to leave your master even when death and destruction lie around. Ah noble dog, you are the furry mirror in which we see our better selves reflected, man as he could be, unstained by war or ambition..." Connie Willis (1998) To Say Nothing of the Dog.
As I succumb to the heat and languish in the air-conditioned room with Claire, the fans circulating air full blast, Nobu takes advantage of the cool earth he digs up behind the house, seeming to prefer braving the mosquitos in order to sleep outside. I'd prefer if he slept indoors with me and Claire, but then on the other hand it's good he feels at home enough to be able to do his own thing:
"Faithful and loyal and true, you share in our sorrows and rejoice with us in our triumphs, the truest friend we have ever known, a better friend than we deserve." Connie Willis (1998) To Say Nothing of the Dog
A chance acquaintance at my local dog cafe, Anjin, recommended Marc, a local Italian restaurant serving delicious Kamakura vegetables and great food. He said Nobu and Claire were so well behaved, it would be fun to have a meal out with them, and Marc, while not a dog cafe, provides some space for eating out with your dogs. When I called the restaurant, it turns out they only have two tables for dogs, one seating two with a hook next to the door, which is where we sat, and a couch area with a low table for four. They won't accept large dogs, or even small dogs who bark or are restless in the restaurant, and they were on the point of politely turning us away on the phone, when I insisted that setters are not large dogs, only medium size, and talked about how a regular had recommended we go, and pleaded just how well-behaved our babies are. Well, they said, we don't really have the space, but let's give it a try, and please don't be angry if this is the one and only time you may bring your dogs.
Persistence pays off, Nobu and Claire managed to curl up and make themselves really small under the table, plus they were quiet as a mouse, as is their wont, and we proceeded to enjoy a delicious meal: the entree was divine, with unusual vegetables cooked quite simply, but really making the most of each individual taste and shape. There was fish dipped in corn grits and deep fried, delicious. We both fancied pizza, so we haven't tried the pasta, but the cheese was the real thing, and the basil sauce and three types of spicy oil were delish. They kindly packaged up the extra pizza we couldn't manage for us to take home.
Tosh had fish, and I had the beef, which was again very simply cooked but just right to enjoy with the flavors of all the different vegetables, and then the dessert was awesome, watermelon ice-cream to die for, the cheesecake totally like home, and they made me a gorgeous latte to go with it. There was a once a month Kamakura vegie market happening outside, so I popped out and bought some watermelon, tomatoes, blueberries, aubergines and okra...meaning ratatouille tonight, after the lunchtime meal at Marc we were so full, we only had watermelon and nectarines for supper. We were a little nervous what with all this delicious fare, and so much wanting to be able to come again with the dogs, but fortunately the owner came over to our table after the meal and said hello to our sweeties, and gave us the thumbs up for coming again: just call in advance and say the Suzuki setters, he said.
I love playing around with Claire when she's lazing in the garden...and she takes it patiently, although her mind is more on what the cicadas are doing and whether any pigeons are around or whether the neighbors are out...These scarves are hand me downs or from recycle shops and they do look great on me, too :P I particularly like my Gucci sunglasses, which I found at Opal in the Isezaki Mall.
I'm generally trying to rest, but Claire's guard dog barking turned into a "come here quick Mummy see what I've got" yipping, so I popped out to see what was up: she had found a cicada, and I watched and shared as she enjoyed playing with it, finally picking it up in her mouth and probably eating it...yikes!
