In Dog We Trust

Our time with Uyu the border collie is drawing to a close and it has been magnificent. We have complete conviction that our canine companion is a gift from the gods.

But it has also been draining.

All of us, Uyu included, were exhausted last night.

The typhoon skirting by Tokyo and dumping bucketloads of rain on us has actually rendered some relief as it has prevented a long walk and confined us to indoor spaces today.

That has meant playing with toys, which is also having an effect on my old frame.

I can’t crawl around on the floor, rumble and plat tug-of-war with a rope like I used to.

Dino has also had something of a rough time, being confined to her cage for most of today, but that is probably what she would have chosen for herself anyway as she is looking after a couple of eggs.

Originally, we were supposed to return Uyu tonight, but it looks like it’s now going to be tomorrow night.

And it could even be longer with the typhoon upon us and throwing travel timetables into disarray.

We had a magical time yesterday, sending Uyu to the beauty parlor, then doing a satoyama lap after she was finished.

We took advantage of the time presented to us to have a scrumptious bowl of ramen from Ogawaryu-Kaidori, which provided an excellent meal, for me being tsukemen with a side dish of gyoza.

I’d long seen the restaurant, having lived in the vicitinty for close on 15 years now, but this was the first time to dine there.

It won’t be the last. Despite some reluctance at eating a hot meal on the blistering summer day, Mrs. Kangaeroo loves her ramen so I did the right thing and accompanied her, much to my own benefit! (How often has that happened?)

The meal was reasonably priced, at 840 yen for the bowl of noodles (with extra large servings free of charge) and 540 yen for a plate of five dumplings. I didn’t avail myself of the extra noodles and didn’t need to, which suggests that most would find the servings filling.