It's been a busy start to the year but I finally got papa to help me post a blog today. He's been busy with work and has had a pretty tough month given the current economic turmoil...and it's only going to get worse.

Fortunately, there may be hope. Unlike Canada and Japan, the US has elected what appears to be a strong leader in Barrack Obama. Papa and I watched the inauguration on CNN. It was inspiring to hear a political leader with vision and charisma, someone with conviction who is committed to change. Time will tell how his presidency goes, but given who his predecessor is, things can only improve. The meatball we have leading Japan probably scores lower than a snake's belly on IQ tests and the Canadian leader has as much charisma and vision as my stuffed animal friends.

A few weeks ago, mama and papa went to visit mama's parents. It was a beautiful day and they were able to see Mount Fuji during their drive. When they got there, they went to a local temple to pray for a good year. It was packed with people but mama and papa were able to make it close to the front. It's tradition to throw money as a donation into the box near the front of the temple before saying a prayer but mama and papa didn't dare get too close to the front because some of the elderly people didn't quite have the arm to throw coins the 10 or 15 yards required to get the coins into the box. Many of the coins ended up hitting the people near the front of the crowd in the back of the head!
I love this samurai guy! His name was Hijikata Toshizou. Click on the link as his story is quite interesting...

There were a lot of food stalls. The one that papa likes best is tako-yaki.

Speaking of food, I love to sit and watch papa cook. He often "accidentally" drops food which I am quick to gobble up.

Last week, mama and papa got dessert from a pastry shop in Roppongi Hills called L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. They had the cake with espresso. I wish they would share with me :-(

Mama and papa found a new way to keep me busy and out of their hair...



Mama and papa always make fun of me when I'm sleeping. Is there something funny about how I sleep?
A few weeks ago, we went to Yoyogi park to play at the dog run. There were a bunch of Jack Russell Terriers there and so we decided to play tug-o-war with an old glove. We had about 20 spectators cheering us on along the outside of the fence. It was a fierce struggle but in the end, all the practice I get with papa playing tug-o-war paid off and I was victorious!!!



Last night, we finally watched Kung Fu Panda. What a great movie! Papa's niece recommended the movie and sent it to us from Canada. It was a lot of fun to watch and we were surprised at all the famous movie stars who voiced the characters. Papa had to re-watch parts of the movie to listen to the voices so he could see if he could recognize them! Thanks, Lexie!

Welcome to 2009!

Happy New Years!!!

Wow! 2008 came and went really fast! Mama and papa had a few friends over last night for a New Years Eve kimuchi nabe party. Kimuchi nabe is made by cooking veggies and meat (usually pork and chicken) in a spicy soup in a clay pot. It sure looked and smelled delicious. Too bad dogs can't eat it :-(

Papa found a great deal on strawberries a few days ago. They were about $2 each. Yes, "each", not for a pack...They have special lighting for Tokyo Tower this week:
Here are a few Christmas presents I received this year. The first is from papa's sister and the second is from my mama! It took me 1 minute and 18 seconds to make a hole in the toy. Fortunately, mama was able to fix it and it has held up pretty well since.
Papa doesn't like when I chew the sofa so he was upset at me...I don't like when papa gets upset at me...









But I do like when papa lets me sleep on the sofa with him!






Mama had to work last week and this week. Since papa took the past few weeks off, he took me to Yoyogi Park a couple of times. I made a bunch of friends including 2 other Jack Russell Terriers and a couple of doggies who were much smaller than me. This JRT was a lot of fun. We chased each other around for a while and then started picking on a Husky. This was us planning the attack...I still get the feeling I'm being followed sometimes...I thought we were at a park for dogs but someone let a bear in...
And once in a while I pick a fight with the wrong doggie. I felt bad because I obviously had an unfair size advantage over the Doberman...but I didn't realize he was in the military... Then this crazy Afghan started following me around......so I decided to tease him! Hahaha!


I wish everyone a Happy New Years and hope your 2009 is filled with health, happiness and love!!!

...And More Rules...

1. You do not own Jack Russell Terriers. They own you!

2. You will never sleep alone again.

3. You will never sleep late again.

4. You will never go to the bathroom alone again.

5. It is your duty to entertain your Jack Russell during all waking hours. If you have other obligations, you must either cancel them or find someone to entertain your Jack Russell in your place.

6. Do not waste your hard-earned money on commercial dog food. Since Jack Russells do not think of themselves as mere dogs, they will eat dog food only as a last resort. Spend your time and money preparing sumptuous banquets for them instead.

7. Having two Jack Russells does not double your problems. It quadruples them.

8. Do not expect to go where you want when taking your Jack Russells for a walk. They will decide.

9. Do not expect to be the center of attention at any social event. This is your Jack Russell’s job.

10. Do not pick a fight with your Jack Russell unless you really want one.

The Rules

I found some Jack Russell Terrier rules on the internet and mama and papa agree that they are very fitting for me...in fact, they realized that these rules have been in effect here for quite some time already:

Jack Russell Rules
1. The Jack Russell is not allowed in the house.
2. Okay, the Jack Russell is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3. The Jack Russell is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
4. The Jack Russell is only allowed on the old furniture.
5. Fine, the Jack Russell is allowed on all the furniture. But is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
6. All right, the Jack Russell is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
7. The Jack Russell can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
8. The Jack Russell can sleep under the covers every night.
9. Humans must ask for permission to sleep under the cover with the Jack Russell.
10. In all cases of dispute…the Jack Russell rules!

Papa was walking in Shinjuku a few weeks ago when he saw this bus:
It has plasma TVs embedded in the sides! Only in Tokyo could this be done...in North American cities, the TVs would be stolen before the driver could start the engine...








When papa's aunt and uncle came to visit earlier this year, they brought me a hoodie. Apparently, there is a famous store in Canada named after me!







Papa was doing the laundry the other day and he realized something funny. The detergent we use is called Tide and apparently it is both effective and useless...

I got to run around the park again last week. It was a great day!



Papa was able to find some really good veal last week! It is not an easy thing to find in Japan! He made Fettucine Carbonara and Veal Parmigiana with sauteed spinach and mushrooms for dinner! It was delicious...apparently...I didn't get any...
After a hard day of playing, there's nothing like curling up in papa's lap for a snooze.

Papa is tired too. He went golfing on Christmas day (Sawara Golf and Country Club) and again today (Centleisure). He wasn't too impressed with his score but today he managed to sink a 40 foot putt! The weather was perfect both days. It was sunny with no wind and the temperature was about 15 on Thursday and 12 today.

'Tis the season to...pig out!!!

Another of papa's "artistic" photos...

At papa's office, on the first of each month, a member of the leadership team makes a dessert for the staff. This month was papa's turn. He made Fudgy Chocolate Brownies based on a recipe recommended by his mama. Among the ingredients were 8 eggs and 16 ounces of chocolate!!!The recipe made enough for 3 large brownie molds plus 2 mini brownies so mama and papa could taste it first. Papa didn't want to make his co-workers sick so he thought it best to make test brownies...Papa put sliced almonds on top (mama's idea). Here was the final product, complete in Christmas themed cake molds. The staff really seemed to like papa's brownies. Or maybe they were just being nice...in either case, they sure look yummy! Mama and papa enjoyed them a lot!!!

A few weeks ago, papa made curry for dinner...

...and then a few days later he made ramen.

Last Friday he made a lasagna for dinner...

Papa thinks he will be a chef in his next lifetime. He's just not sure if he will be Italian, Chinese or Indian. I think he should be a Jack Russell Terrier in his next life :-)

Last weekend, mama and papa went to a place called Club Q for turkey dinner (Club Q is actually their friend's house).One of the guests who used to be a pastry chef made a cake for the party.So they all started eating the cake......and eating...
(is it just me or does it seem weird eating cake with chopsticks???)...and eating......and eating......and eating......and eating...until it was all gone!!!
Mama and papa took me to get groomed last weekend. I love the bath but I'm not too crazy about the nail cut. And what I'm really not a big fan of is the little Christmas wreath they put on my collar...What I really do love is taking a nap while papa helps me with my blog......and taking lazy afternoon naps...on papa...
I also like helping papa use his iPhone.
We went to the park last weekend. Some JRT was following me around and bothering me so, needless to say, I wasn't very happy. Mama and papa were surprised because I'm usually much nicer to females. I guess I was just in a bad mood because papa got a parking ticket.This is how I get mama and papa to pay attention to me when I'm bored and they are busy with things that don't interest me. Boy, do they ever hate it...papa says I am really "annoying", whatever the heck that means. I think it is another word for "cute, adorable and fun-loving"...


And on a final note, because I just can't help making the occasional political commentary, we were pleased that Stephane Dion's (a.k.a. the Canadian George W.) pathetic little attempt to circumvent the democratic process by trying a coup d'etat in Canada was thwarted by Stephen Harper. Not that we are Stephen Harper fans by any means, but we are fans of democracy and due process. Little people like Dion have no place at the big table with the other world leaders. The sooner he is gone the better for Canada. This is a time for strong leadership, not wanna-be also-rans who try to steal power by any means possible. Pathetic...