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This posting is dedicated to the Japanese survivors, my loyal Boxer dog Sathi, and canines everywhere.
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In 1999, I was lucky enough to spend three months in Shin Yokohama, Japan, approximately 200 miles south of Sendai. I had been employed as a designer at Tower Automotive, Milwaukee, for only one week, when my boss offered me a once in a lifetime opportunity to work at the Tower Automotive satellite office, in Yokohama, as well as to act as an on-site designer at Isuzu, the Fujisawa Plant, in Kanagawa, Japan. Six days later I was on a 12 hour flight from Milwaukee to Tokyo, via Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport.
Because of the wonderful people I met while in Japan, I feel a special connection to this beautiful country, and have been continuously reading and watching the news, on the devastation and destruction that the earthquake and tsunami have left behind. My heart goes out to all of the survivors — may they find strength and courage to rebuild their communities, and their lives. Not only are people consoling and collaborating, but the animals are as well.
This video, Ultimate Loyalty, caught my attention and further pulled on my heart strings (I have posted the translation below).
Translation:
We are in Arahama area. Looks like there is a dog. There is a dog. He looks tired and dirty. He must have been caught in the tsunami. He looks very dirty.
He has a collar. He must be someone’s pet. He has a silver collar. He is shaking. He seems very afraid.
Oh, there is another dog. I wonder if he is dead.
Where?
Right there. There is another dog right next to the one sitting down. He is not moving. I wonder. I wonder if he is alright.
The dog is protecting him.
Yes. He is protecting the dog. That is why he did not want us to approach them. He was trying to keep us at bay.
I can’t watch this. This is a very difficult to watch.
Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.
Yes! Yes! He is alive.
He looks to be weakened. We need to them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.
Oh good. He’s getting up.
After watching this video I gave my dog, Sathi, a big hug and thought about all of the special traits that dogs have, and how my life has changed since adopting this sassy Boxer six and a half years ago. A dog’s sense of smell is a thousand times that of a human. Dogs can detect bombs, earthquakes, cancer, pregnancy, and much, much more. Dogs can lead the blind, offer therapy, and help children overcome abuse. Dogs are giving, without expecting a lot in return—regular feedings, a walk a day, a snack, a pat, and a play, now and again. Without talking, dogs can communicate just by a simple look, a nudge, a whimper, a growl, or a bark.
Here’s a list of what I’ve learned from my dog Sathi (Sathi, literally translated from the Nepalese language, means friend):
1. If you want a hug, give someone a hug — chances are, you’ll get one back.
2. Set aside time to play everyday — no matter how old you are.
3. Pay attention to more than a person’s words — 55 percent of communication is visual. You can look at a person’s face and recognize if he or she is sick, sad, or happy.
4. If someone is happy, share in that person’s joy. When I’m jumping for joy, Sathi is jumping with me.
5. If someone is in pain, give that person a shoulder to cry on. When I’m sick or sad, Sathi quietly lays next to me.
6. When your family members come home from a long day at school or work, or when friends stop by, welcome them with open arms. Sathi is always waiting impatiently at the door, to give me a hug and a lick—in return, she gets a nice neck scratch.
7. Let yourself be accepted for who you are, and never pretend to be something you’re not.
8. Stretch when you wake up in the morning, or from a nice nap.
9. Be a loyal friend.
10. Ride in the car with the windows down (and maybe stick your head out for a second) — there’s nothing more enjoyable than the feel of the sun on your face, and the wind in your hair.
