We are looking forward to having our dog back with us. A Japanese colleague graciously watched her while we were in the States for a year. Since we have been back in Japan we have been looking for an apartment to rent where we can have a dog. Most places don't allow pets, but more and more small pets are allowed. I don't think our 12 year old Golden Retriever could make it under the weight limit, even if we put her on a diet.
We seriously thought about giving our sweet puppy away since it seemed too difficult to find a place to rent. This would have been sad to do, but we have long ago learned that we have to hold all of God's blessings in an open hand. Pets included.
After lots of searching, it seems God has provided an apartment that is very pet friendly. Right off of the living room of our future apartment is a small cubby-hole-build-in for the "pe to su paa su" (the Japanese pronunciation for pet space). The apartment even has a "Grooming Room" where you can wash and blow dry your furry companion. And get this: the name of the apartment building? "Life Pal" (of course pronounced in Japanese accent: ra i fu paa ru). Well, I don't know if dogs really are man's best friend, but we sure are happy to have this pal soon back in our lives again.
