Deep repentance and deep friendship

Japan's Prime Minister Abe is on an official visit in the USA. He talked before a joint session of the Houses of Congress, offering his "deep repentance" for Japan's role in the Second World War and the death of American soldiers. This is a sign of the deep friendship that exist between Japan and America these days.

I am glad these two great countries are friends. This is a good thing for peace and prosperity in both countries, and their combined role in the world exonomy makes this important for the whole world. Both countries are defenders of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

For me, personally, this friendship has a personal meaning as well. I am of a Japanese dog breed, and my Mum was born and raised in the USA. This might not have happened, had Japan and the USA not been friends. I probably have this friendship to thank for my life.

Repentance for old wars has a symbolic meaning. It does not heal every old wound, but it does strengthen the friendship. This is good.

Taxes

Paula went through the information about her taxes for last year tonight. It must be hard to be a tax payer. I am glad I am a dog, I do not have to pay taxes.

Bread

Hello, Karstuhl here!

Being in the kitchen has its perks sometimes. Daniel was making sandwiches and Linni, Calvin, and I each got a piece of bread. There are many things tastier than bread, but it is always nice to get some extra things to eat. It is also nice to know that this is not for everyone, but only for those of us who were in the kitchen. Being singled out and getting extra things to eat is great. It made the whole day feel a little special. I wish more days would have little perks like this.

Why Not a King?

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan is up for re-election. He has held the position for 26 years, but seeks another five year term. Why not declare oneself a king and make a constitutional monarchy out of the country instead? I guess he believes he would lose some of his power that way, but I believe he would become more well respected throughout most of the world. Being re-elected over and over as a president is just a farce, sitting tight as a king is respect.

Useless Trip to a Show

Paula went to a dog show in Västerås yesterday. I cannot explain why she did, because she did not bring any of us dogs. It must have been a most useless trip to this dog show.

Weekend

It is Friday night, and the weekend is coming up. Humans are free from work. This means that they can spend more time with their dogs. This is good..

Bad Connections

Usually, I am a well connected dog. I have got friends in a lot of places. My connection with the Internet is also generally good. Tonight, however, the Internet is grumpy. It works on and off. I cannot figure out what is wrong. I do hope that I can post this blog post on my blog before midnight, nevertheleas. If you think this is nothing for me to write about, the reason I cannot come up with anything better is the bad Internet connection. We can blame the connection.

Drone on PM's Roof

A small drone suddenly landed on the roof of the offices of the Japanese Prime Minister. A security alert was triggered, of course. If they would have had dogs there, the dogs could have taken care of the drone, killing it if necessary. Shibas would not back off from a challenge like this. If a drone would land without permission in our garden, we would probably take care of it in a proper manner. Dogs are good at keeping up security.

Red Mailbox

The weather is getting warmer. It has been sunny and nice today, we have all enjoyed it outdoors. Most of nature is getting greener. On the morning walk, there was a new red feature, however. The neighbours two lots down have got a new, bright red mailbox. It is a shiny, new mailbox in painted metal. Even a small detail like this can make the neighbourhood nicer. I like it.

Affection Between Dog and Human

Japanese scientists have proved that there is a special bond between dogs and humans, that make us feel the same kind of affection for one another that humans feel for their children. The most interesting thing about the study is that the same bond cannot be seen between humans and wolves, even though the wolves tested had been raised by humans. This shows that humans and dogs have evolved a special bond during the millenia that we have lived together. I am not really surprised, but it is amazing, nevertheless.

Vikings

Paula follows a TV series called Vikings, about Ragnar Lodbrok in the 800's. It is quite interesting, but I would like it more if there were more dogs in it. Vikings did have dogs. Not Shibas, of course, but other dogs od spitz breeds. It would be possible to have dogs in the series, played by modern dogs but truly looking like dogs of the age. It would make the series much better.

Celebrations

This is not Paula's father's birthday. It is on Monday. This is, however,  the day when the birthday is celebrated with the family. He turns 70 years old. This is an awesome age, ten dog years. I turn ten myself this autumn.

Happy birthday, Nils-Olov!

Check Up

Hello, Orange here!

This was the day when my pups went to see the veterinarian. At the check up, everything was alright with both of them. I had not expected anything less, but it is nice to get the result documented. We had a nice day together afterwards, the pups and I. It is so easy to love them.

Ring Steward Course

Daniel went away this evening to a ring steward course. He is an authorised ring steward, but it is important to keep the knowledge up to date. He told us he was the only man on the course, all the others were women. I wonder why it is more common that ring stewards are women than men. Not that it makes any difference, but it is a curious trivial fact.

Eight Weeks

Hello, Orange here!

My pups turn eight weeks old today. A lot of things have happened during these weeks, they are now small individuals capable of many things on their own paw. Still, it feels like time has moved very quickly since they were born. I wish these fun days with the pups would last forever. They will get their own families and grow up to become adult sogs. Wishes aside, I truky hope they will get great lives.

Change of Plans

Hello, Orange here!

The plan was to get my pups to the veterinarian today, for the check up before they move to their new families. The check up was cancelled, however, since the veterinarian was sick. We had to postpone the check up until later in the week. I am certain my pups will pass the check up with excellent result, whether or not it would happen today. They are great in every aspect. Too bad for the veterinarian, though.

Shaving

I am glad I am not a Poodle. Our Poodle friends Laila and Momoko need to get shaved quite often. They do nit shed their coat, so it just keeps growing. If not shaved, they become too hairy.

Shibas do not have to get shaved or have their hair cut. This is yet another advantage of being a Shiba, that I have discovered in my life. I become increasingly convinced that there is nothing better you can be born to, than being a Shiba.

Vacation

Vacation is a good thing. It is when humans are at home from work, to spend more time with their dogs. Vacation is often had in summer. Today, Paula and Daniel have discussed having vacation in July this year. I am looking forward to it.

Return

Our friend Tenn has been away for a couple of days, but came back home this evening. She did not go to a dog show, so I am not jealous of her. Why would you want to go anywhere, if it is not to be shown at a dog show? Tenn had enjoyed it, she said, and I am glad she did. If I am not at a dog show, however, I would rather just stay home all the time. There is no place like home.

Japanese Influences in European Art

Japan has influenced Europe in many ways. Long before Shibas came to Europe, Japanese art made a huge impact in Europe. This was just after the Meiji restoration, in the late 19th century, when Japan was opened up to the rest of the world after two and a half centuries of isolation. It is interesting to read about this. I cannot believe this was as significant as when the first Shibas came around in the 1970's, but it was important, nevertheless. Japan has a fascinating culture, where there is still much to learn for Europeans. I will help in anyway I can.

A Real Polly

Hello, Karstuhl here!

In the Swedish qualification round for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, my favourite was the band Dolly Style. One of the three members had the stage name Polly, which fancied me, since I am called Polly myself. It has now come to my knowledge that the first Polly has left the group, to be replaced by another member. The new member will adopt the same stage name, Polly.

This is silly. If you want to have a stage name, this is fine by me, but I believe there should only be one Polly in each context. If the original members where called Molly, Holly, and Polly, the new member could easily have adopted a similar, but slightly different name. Now, it is just a folly.

Well, at least I am a real Polly. This is what I have been called since I lived in the litter box.

Spring

Spring is really here. It was warm and sunny today. I like this weather. I have come to like it more and more, as I grow a little older. Not that I fully understand why, I just do. Then again, you do not have to explain why you like sunny days in the spring, do you?

Second Day of Easter

It is Monday, but still, Daniel has been home from work. The second day of Easter is a public holiday in Sweden. Paula has been to work, but for extra pay due to the holiday. I like it, but it feels strange. We are used to Monday being just another work day. Well, life would not be as interesting, if everything just followed the habits that you have.

Happy Easter!

Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. A lot of religions around the world come with a belief in afterlife. Christianity is the only religion I know, where the diety himself, God, dies, but comes back from death. This is litteraly a resurrection, a defeat of death. Happy Easter!

Fewer Crackers

We have experienced an Easter Eve with fewer crackers than usually. This is good, even for us, where there are no dogs who are afraid of the noise. It is still disturbing and unnecessary. I hope this is evidence of a trend, where Easter crackers will soon be a thing of the past. Good ridance, I would say.

Upcoming Easter

It is Easter this week. I like Easter, because it is the big holiday mostly associated with candy. Anything that brings a lot of candy is good. Do I need to elaborate on this? I would not think so. I wish all of you will have a happy Easter!

It Was a Joke

My blog entry yesterday was, of course, a joke. There are no EU regulations outlawing April's Fool's jokes. This is good, I would not want to live in a World where such jokes could be outlawed. Freedom of speech is important, even for jokes.

New EU Regulation: No More Jokes

The European Union has issued a new regulation stating that there will be no more April's Fool's Jokes. There is no tradition for these jokes in the whole Union, so everybody does not understand them, hence the tradition to make jokes impairs the free movement of goods, dogs, and people within the Union. This regulation takes effect immediately. The Member States have to issue new rules penalizing anyone who makes jokes, with fines or, in more severe cases, prison.

I do not like this new regulation. I have always devoted my blog to an April's Fool's Joke on the 1st of April every year. Now I will not be able to do this anymore. I cannot see the harm in friendly jokes. I hope the regulation will be challenged in Court and not upheld. In my mind, it is an infringement of the freedom of speech. Freedom of movement is also important, but not as important as freedom of speech.