==JAPAN: KM== [Pets]

"Hello, is this Doctor Caesar?" "Yes, speaking." "This is Taro the pug calling. I'm sorry to trouble you, but I need your help. Recently, my family tends to leave me alone." "Oh, that's too bad." "Doctor, I'd really like to have your good advice. I've heard you are a wonderful dog who always studies about how to get along well with owners." "Thanks for saying so. I think I can give you a few good points."
First, you should think about why human beings bought you. Then you will realize that you need not do inexperienced work unwillingly to arouse their interest because if they wanted their dog to work, they would not have bought you but a working dog. We, room dog, are creatures that were made to be loved by human beings, so our appearances are naturally created so pretty. Therefore, the most important and necessary thing for us is to learn how to sharpen and make good use of this tool called prettiness. You should never forget that it is prettiness that human beings desire from us.
Then, what should we concretely do to be a pretty dog? It's so easy; we should just pay attention to the following three things. First, we must go near human beings at any cost in these three situations. They are when human beings come home, when they begin to feel relaxed in a room, and when they are going out. At this time, we should not be loud but quiet and restful. Second, we must occasionally appear vulnerable to human beings by sleeping with our smooth pink belly open to their view, by leaning against them. Third, we must not be overly familiar with unknown human beings and dogs. We should rather show hostility to them and appear to our masters to have the attitude that "I'm only yours." Basically, if you keep these three rules, your relations with human beings will become much better.
These days, the effect of being a moderate fool, as the spice of prettiness, has become accepted by dog doctors. Moderate means not to do the acts prohibited for dogs by all means. There are basically two prohibited acts, one is to harm human beings by biting or scratching and the other is to have a toilet accident. After all, if you occasionally do some foolish things, except these two, you will be soon as prettier than now, because most human beings tend to think that "This foolish dog relies on me. Who except I in the world would love this dog?" However, this way of thinking is applied only when you follow the three rules to be a pretty dog that I told you a little while ago.
To get along well with human beings requires us to have some cleverness. First, we must at least remember these four words, meal, reward, walking and our own namesDSecond, we should not go near or not have relations with human beings who dislike dogs. It is no use doing various things to catch their attention, because they fundamentally hate us anyway. If you have energy to spare, you should look intently at them, and their icy hearts may melt. Third, whenever we do something for which we are once given a reward, we must demand the reward as if it is reasonable, and force them to make it a rule. Fourth, when we want them to play with us, we should take a strategy which will appeal to their hearts, such as a lonely face, a spoiled voice, bringing some toys, by tapping our paws, etc., because to make a fuss will somehow make the matter worse. And besides this, it is very convenient for us to have the NO.2 place. If you are at the head of your family, you have the responsibility to protect them, but if you are NO.2, you can moderately dominate while still obeying the head.
"Though, that is only part of the results of my research, if you only mind these points, you can be all right even if you tread on or kick or ignore human beings. Treasure your own time and room with dignity. Before you know it, human beings will come to mind you and you will not feel lonely." "Thank you very much, Doctor. It seems that I'll be able to become a lovely, good dog, thanks to you."
"Caesar, Caesar! Your favorite meal, juicy beef chunks!" "Oh, Taro, I hear my owner calling me. Don't want to miss this feast, so I'll say good-by and go now. Good luck to you!"

COMMENT
I think it is interesting that a dog talks with another doctor dog by the phone as if they were human. In this essay, dog's feelings which they want to play with their owners are well written. My family have kept a dog for six years. But our dog lives outside. So we have relationship with him only when we walk him. Therefore I think our dog may feel lonely. It seemed that this essay taught me about a pet's desire to play with its master. The author's deep love for her dog has enabled her to write the dog's feelings so well, I think.

HIROKI YAMAUCHI