Yoko

Jan 25, 2015

Hi Elaina, Thanks for your very thoughtful and kind comments here ! It was just great you had adopted the cat into your family from that shelter! I always want to do so but I'm also afraid of doing this as I have one ( Akita dog 4 yrs old) already and I'm not sure that I will be perfectly responsible for those 2 dogs. Puppies and kittens are sooo adorable when you look at them in the petshop. Many people can't resisit an impulse to purchase them without thinking carefully.... I think there are so many silly irresponsible owners in Japan. I guess there are so many complicated problems in this pet business industry (petshops) here. Anyway, all dogs and cats (or other pet animals) are not selfish.. they are just happy living in a very simple way... It's always we, humans, make the situation worse and complicated... We are the cleverest on earth but the silliest at the same time...(Haha!)

Elaina.C

Jan 24, 2015

For anyone else reading this column, this was meant as a silly column. Please do not go out and get a pet just because you want one. Do a lot of research on whatever animal you want. Check your finances to make sure you can properly care for the animal. And check your schedule to make sure you have the time to love and play with this animal!! Thank you :)

Elaina.C

Jan 24, 2015

Hi Hirota, thank you very much for your comment. I didn't think about all of those while writing my column. It was meant to be a silly column, but you are right, animals are a serious responsibility. Not everyone should go out and buy an animal. Too many people will buy puppies or kittens for their children and then get rid of them because the kids get bored of them. I had adopted a cat off of a website called Craigslist a couple years ago that was older. He was a beautiful cat, but he stayed away from certain people because he was traumatized by living in so many houses before mine. They need a loving home and family that will keep them all of their lives.

Elaina.C

Jan 24, 2015

Hi Yoko, I was a little silly with the dog comment because I had a dog that I loved very much, but he would never stop barking. Ever haha. I also didn't get him trained properly, so it's probably my fault. Yes they are all kittens in the photo. I found it on the Internet though. I'm not allowed to have pets where I live at the moment :( I agree, I lived in Germany for awhile and I know their rules. I prefer how they run things, you never see strays there. Thank you for your comments :)

Yoko

Jan 24, 2015

Hi Elaina, I am a dog person so I have a different opinion in what you mentioned about dogs. All dogs are not such silly barkers. Dogs are extremely trainable animals and those well behaved dogs are best companions to us and they can help us a lot. I also like cats and the photo you post in this blog is very very cute..Are they all kittens ? Anyway, I have to admit here that there are so many irresponsible pet owners here in Japan and every year so many numbers of dogs/cats are killed in each municipal center, which is a very shameful fact ... I really think a kind of education to become a good pet owner is required in Japan. ( like Germany)

Momo Sensei

Jan 24, 2015

Dear Elaina, I have a cat at home too.But I love both cats and dogs.I concern about the part that you suppose people.I am against to pet an animal by paying at a petshop.They earn money to sell the breeds. Instead, you may suggest everyone that they can adopt a stray cat/dog outside by joining a fellowship or shelters.Why there are many alone cats and dogs outside, one of the reasons is the expense of their care.Instead of that,they may contact with a friend who has a pet or get details from a petshop.Also, if a person didn't take care of any cats and dogs, it will be really hard to handle with the dropped fur and even their damages to the furnitures,clothes and other values. Why I said because many people they want to get a friend as like this and when they see any harsh,they throw them away.Animals are for people who can accept them for.