Meet the dogs 犬たち inu-tachi = the dogs

Mochi the Shiba Inu

柴犬 shiba inu · Mochi in katakana: モチ

“I could leave anytime. I choose not to.”

Personality: Proud, independent, dramatic.

• proudbows to nobody, eats first
• dramaticgasps at a closed door
• independentcuddles on their own schedule
• judgyhas opinions about your snacks

In the playroom: Keeps a little distance, then wanders over on Mochi’s own terms.

豆知識 mame-chishiki, a fun fact: Mochi is also the Japanese word for a soft rice cake (餅). The Shiba is one of Japan’s own native dogs.

Biscuit the Corgi

コーギー kōgī · Biscuit in katakana: ビスケット

“Is that a snack? Is everything a snack?”

Personality: Cheerful, greedy for food.

• cheerfulwiggles from the middle
• greedyknows the fridge sound
• short legs, big planszoomies in tiny circles
• snack inspectorchecks every bowl twice

In the playroom: Sits by the bowl and looks at you. Then the bowl. Then you.

Sunny the Golden Retriever

ゴールデンレトリバー gōruden retoribā · Sunny in katakana: サニー

“I love you. Who are you?”

Personality: Friendly, loves fetch.

• friendlybest friends with everyone
• fetch fanaticbrings the ball, then a stick
• wigglytail is a helicopter
• a bit forgetfulforgot why, ran anyway

In the playroom: Always brings the ball back, and races the hardest to get it.

Noodle the Dachshund

ダックスフンド dakkusufundo · Noodle in katakana: ヌードル

“The rest of me is on its way.”

Personality: Curious, loves digging.

• lazynaps like it is a job
• attention seekingsqueaks the duck till you look
• curious diggersomething smells like treasure
• very, very longthe rest of him is on its way

In the playroom: The neediest in the room: the pet me eyes, full power. Then a little digging.

Frost the Husky

ハスキー hasukī · Frost in katakana: フロスト

“AWOOO.”

Personality: Energetic, chatty (howls).

• chattyhas notes on everything
• full of energynaps 5 minutes, runs 5 hours
• dramatic singerserenades the moon and the sofa
• snow lovercold is a spa day

In the playroom: Talks and talks. The topic is usually pets. A-woo-woo.

Pepper the Shelter Mutt

ミックス犬 mikkusu ken · Pepper in katakana: ペッパー

“Hi. Can I come home with you?”

Personality: Loyal, gentle.

• loyalfollows you room to room
• gentleasks with a tiny paw tap
• one of a kinda little bit of everything
• hopefulwaits by the door, just in case

In the playroom: Gentle, and always drifts towards you. Just wants to be near.

豆知識 mame-chishiki, a fun fact: A rescue dog in Japanese is 保護犬 (hogoken).

Peanut the Chihuahua

チワワ chiwawa · Peanut in katakana: ピーナッツ

“I am the security system.”

Personality: Tiny, fearless, dramatic guard dog.

• fearlessbarks at the vacuum, wins
• dramatictrembles at an empty bowl
• tiny but loudthe whole street hears
• sunbatherfinds the one warm spot

In the playroom: Stands guard by the gate and reports every passer-by.

Dumpling the Pug

パグ pagu · Dumpling in katakana: ダンプリング

“snort.”

Personality: Snorty, cuddly, lazy, food-loving.

• snortynarrates every breath
• cuddlysits on laps, on principle
• lazynaps in between naps
• food-lovinghears the treat bag upstairs

In the playroom: Naps a lot. Rolls over now and then: the belly is open for business.

Rocket the Greyhound

グレイハウンド gureihaundo · Rocket in katakana: ロケット

“45 mph. Then a 20-hour nap.”

Personality: Gentle couch potato who sprints in bursts.

• speedyzoom, then done
• couch potatotakes the whole sofa
• gentlesoft as a cloud
• elegantposes like a statue, asleep

In the playroom: Naps, then a sudden burst of zoomies. The fastest to any ball.

Bagel the Beagle

ビーグル bīguru · Bagel in katakana: ベーグル

“Smelled that from three streets away.”

Personality: Nose-led, food-obsessed, bays loudly.

• nose-ledfollows a smell, forgets the rest
• food obsessedofficial bowl inspector
• loudbays at squirrels and at nothing
• treasure hunterknows where it is buried

In the playroom: Sniffs everything. Then sniffs you, and bays a tiny hello.

Pretzel the Poodle

プードル pūdoru · Pretzel in katakana: プレッツェル

“Haircut optional. Dignity not.”

Personality: Thinks it is the smartest one in the room. It is..

• cleverlearns it before you finish teaching
• dignifiednever runs through puddles
• fancyfluff is a lifestyle
• show-offbows after every trick

In the playroom: Sits politely and waits. Offers a paw, ever so politely.

Scout the Border Collie

ボーダーコリー bōdā korī · Scout in katakana: スカウト

“Will herd the puppies, the ducks and the furniture.”

Personality: Has counted the sheep. There are no sheep. Has counted you..

• clevercounts everything twice
• born herdergathers the whole family
• intensestares until the ball moves
• needs a jobany job. Tidy-up counts.

In the playroom: Circles the other dogs and nudges them together. You are part of the flock.

Cloud the Samoyed

サモエド samoedo · Cloud in katakana: クラウド

“Sheds a second dog every spring.”

Personality: Smiles so the snow does not stick. Also just smiles..

• smileycannot stop, will not stop
• fluffya walking cloud
• friendlygreets even the pigeon
• snow lovercold water is the best water

In the playroom: Social and smiley, tags along with the pack. Hard to say no to.

Brioche the French Bulldog

フレンチブルドッグ furenchi burudoggu · Brioche in katakana: ブリオッシュ

“Sofa. Cushion. Your foot. All good seats.”

Personality: Snores, snorts, sits on your foot. All three at once..

• snorera tiny engine at nap time
• foot sitteryour foot is now his seat
• shade seekersunny day? no thanks
• cuddlybat ears, big heart

In the playroom: Short, cheeky zoomies, and a likely ball thief. Then sits on your foot.