Chapter 1
Episode 8 “Rouge and Her Family’s First Summer Trip”
"Rouge's Daily Life at Age 1: So Much to Learn"
After the earthquake, we spent our days holding various deep emotions. Having turned one year old, Rouge had settled down considerably compared to her puppy days, and a comfortable familiarity was beginning to grow within the family.
She had become far calmer than during her puppy days in 2010, when she was constantly chewing on things, gnawing on furniture, and destroying items again and again. We still keep those scratch marks on our furniture as sweet memories. While feeling a touch of loneliness thinking that this is how a pup grows into an adult dog, we promised ourselves to communicate even more deeply from now on, striving to increase our mutual understanding.
For her daily walks, we prepared three different routes depending on the day, coming up with ways to keep her from getting bored. Beyond our usual group of dog friends, new friends of all breeds, ages, and genders kept increasing with every walk. Although Rouge was a bit shy around other dogs, she did not dislike meeting unfamiliar ones at all. She would approach them timidly with curiosity, looking quite happy.
We also set her meals to fixed times, and fortunately, since Rouge did not have a habit of begging for food, her schedule aligned almost perfectly with the humans' mealtimes.
One routine we never missed was combing and brushing. We had maintained her coat meticulously ever since she was a puppy. We were told that as long as we did not neglect proper shining and grooming, her beautiful coat would stay healthy, so we diligently devoted ourselves to brushing her, wishing for her to grow into the most beautiful dog. Looking back, the Rouge family is a little proud, thinking that her shiny coat—which never lost its luster even in her senior years—was the gift of all that effort back then.
As usual, we never missed her monthly health checkup at her primary clinic. Every single time, we had the vet remove tartar, check for ear infections, and express her anal glands (something we never managed to succeed at doing at home).
Her weight changes were as follows:
On May 11, her weight was 7.40 kg. Since her weight went up with every measurement, talks began to emerge about adjusting her food portion.
On June 13, her weight was 7.50 kg. We figured this was about her upper limit. In fact, her weight gain leveled off for a while after this. Her numbers remained steady and unchanged until she was around four or five years old.
From June 16 to 22, Rouge's dad and mom went on their annual favorite trip to France. Rouge's brother and sister encouraged them, saying, "Go enjoy a nice change of scenery!" During that time, Rouge had her very first stay at a pet hotel attached to her primary clinic for two nights during the week. Because she got to stay near her favorite vet, she was bouncing with joy even before leaving home. On the way to the clinic, she kept hopping around, and once we arrived, she made a huge fuss, barking as if calling out, "Doctor!" (leaving her brother and sister with somewhat mixed feelings). Except for her hospital stay, this was her first overnight stay away from home, but she seemed to enjoy herself immensely (according to the staff, she ate well, went for walks, used the bathroom properly, and was an absolute good girl).
On July 11, her weight was 7.65 kg.
Rouge's Summer Vacation.
With our shared life with a dog fully under way, the entire Rouge family planned a summer trip together. A three-day, two-night trip starting August 21. Miss Rouge, you're traveling with us!
"The First Day of Summer Vacation."
Our destination this time was Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture. Naturally, the main goal was to go see Mount Fuji with Rouge. As a family that loves traveling by train, we once again built train rides into our schedule following last year's trip to Kiyosato (in later years, considering the hassle and convenience of transport, we eventually switched to driving from home for trips). Enjoying the travel vibe, we took the Azusa Limited Express from Shinjuku Station to Otsuki Station, and then the Fujisan Express on the Fuji Kyuko Line from Otsuki Station to Kawaguchiko Station. Having grown bigger since last year, Rouge was riding comfortably in an AirBuggy suited to her size (quite comfortable, right?).
After arriving at Kawaguchiko Station, we moved around using a rental car. We had lunch by the shores of Lake Kawaguchi. Tempted by the smell of the family's meal on the terrace, Rouge went wild. She almost leaped out of her cot, sending everyone into a panic. After that, we arrived at the inn where we were staying and rested peacefully until evening. Even though Rouge was tired, having turned one year old seemed to give her a bit more composure, and she spent her time calmly.
This pension at Lake Kawaguchi turned out to be a mysterious piece of fate for Rouge. It was the very first experience she stayed at this pension during a summer trip, and it was also the final place she ever stayed in her last voyage. In the autumn of 2022, we actually ended up staying at the exact same pension. We cannot help but feel a deep sense of destiny. At her Age 1 and Age 12, we happened to take photos of her inside the exact same room with the same layout, and looking at them now gives us a chill of fate. Rouge, did you choose this place as your final stay all by yourself? Full of wonder.
"Rouge's Summer Vacation: Day Two."
The day after staying at Lake Kawaguchi.
The weather was cloudy, and unfortunately, Mount Fuji was hidden behind thick fog. Though it was a shame, we decided to tour the surrounding areas and enjoy sightseeing around the Fuji Five Lakes. First, we headed toward Lake Yamanaka, stopping at Oshino Hakkai along the way.
Naturally, our main purpose was taking photos with Rouge, so we needed to capture plenty of memories. Even in the middle of the crowded area, Rouge was completely absorbed in looking at every single tourist's face. She simply loved watching people. Doesn't looking around like that get tiring? She herself seemed thoroughly satisfied. The Rouge family also enjoyed sightseeing, eating soft-serve ice cream along the way.
Next, we went to the shores of Lake Yamanaka. Under the cloudy sky, the lake surface looked dark, making us wonder how the photos would turn out, when a light rain began to fall. Taking shelter from the rain as we went, we somehow managed to take a commemorative photo with Rouge on the shore of Lake Yamanaka.
For lunch, we went to a restaurant with a terrace. Outside our table with its umbrella, a heavy rain began to fall. Realizing that mountain weather changes constantly and there was no helping it, we took our time and filled our bellies with an organic lunch. Rouge was also satisfied after eating her pre-made food and treats from that morning. Listening to the pleasant sound of rain, we enjoyed our meal surrounded by nature while gazing at Lake Yamanaka.
Before evening, we returned to the pension early to rest our bodies comfortably. Rouge had gotten completely used to staying away from home, relaxing and rolling around on her own bed brought from home. For Rouge, just being with everyone and seeing our faces all day long seemed to bring her happiness in these simple moments, and she was smiling constantly. In the evening, as we prepared the Japanese-style room by laying out everyone's futons alongside Rouge's bed side-by-side so we could sleep together in a row, she kept showing a deeply content face, eventually showing us her calm, adorable sleeping face. Seeing such a sweet sight was a moment of true happiness for the Rouge family as well.
"Day Three of the Trip: Finally, the Last Day."
On the third day, the weather finally turned around. Even while we were packing our bags in the room, Rouge was in high spirits, as if feeling great. She was so cute that we took several photos.
Although the summit of Mount Fuji was still covered by clouds, sunny moments increased, and from the morning we went sightseeing around Lake Kawaguchi. Taking photos with Rouge here and there, the Rouge family was overjoyed by the classic family vacation feel. Before noon, we visited Fuji Subaru Land Doggy Park, a large dog run covered with wood chips. Unfamiliar with the texture underfoot, Rouge took a while to get used to it, so we called out to her and showed off treats to coax her into moving.
"Rouge, over here! Come on, come here!"
Gradually, she began sniffing around the dog run and slowly moving through the park. Finding joy in observing these simple, everyday moments of hers was a true pleasure unique to life with a dog. Though a bit bewildered at first, Rouge ended up having a lot of fun, playfully bouncing around on the way home.
The final stop of our trip was Kachi Kachi Yama at Kawaguchiko Tenjo-yama Park. We took the dog-friendly ropeway up to the summit. Just as we were about to take a commemorative photo at a spot with a great view, the sunlight became quite strong, causing Rouge to pant heavily. The Rouge family quickly moved her along with her buggy into the shade of the trees, cooling her body down with cold water bottles. We were quite a frantic family, but Rouge's health came first. Since she had spent most of last summer indoors, this was her very first real Japanese summer experience. We had to be extra careful. We're so sorry, Rouge!
"It's hot, isn't it? This is the heat of a Japanese summer."
Once her body cooled down and she calmed down, we took a quick commemorative photo with our target, Mount Fuji (even though the summit wasn't visible). Mission finally complete! We achieved our long-cherished wish.
Then came the preparations to return home. We returned the rental car and went to Kawaguchiko Station. Resting quietly inside her comfy AirBuggy, which she was now completely accustomed to, we took the Fujikyu Holiday Rapid to Otsuki Station. Transferring to the Kaiji Limited Express, we headed straight for Shinjuku Station, arriving back home right around dinner time. And so, Rouge's very first summer family vacation came to an end.
Although we were at the mercy of the weather, the whole family enjoyed it immensely, and we swore to keep planning trips with Rouge whenever an occasion arose. Of course, while properly matching everyone's schedules! Rouge, this sounds good to you, right?
第一章
第八話「ルージュとルージュ家、初めての夏旅行」
『ルージュ１歳の日常。学ぶことがいっぱいだね。』
震災後、色々な想いを抱えながら日々を過ごす。１歳となったルージュ。子犬時に比べたら大分落ち着いてくれて、家族内にも慣れが生まれつつあった。
2010年パピー時代の、とにかく物を噛み噛み家具や物を噛んでは壊すを繰り返していた頃に比べると遥かに大人しくなっていた。家具の傷跡は記念に今でも残している。こうやって成犬になっていくのかなと少し寂しい気持ちを感じつつ、今後はもっとコミュニケーションを密にしてお互い意思疎通が増やせるよう努力することを誓う。
お散歩は日によって３コース取り揃え飽きさせないように工夫を。いつものワン友さんたち以外に、散歩する度に増えてゆく新しいお友達、老若男女の犬たち。少し犬見知りのルージュではあるが知らないワンコと会う事自体は嫌がるわけでも無く恐る恐るだが興味を示し結構嬉しそうだった。
食事時も定時摂取にして、幸いルージュにはせがみ癖は無かったのでほぼ人間と同時刻のペースに。
常に欠かさなかったのがコーミングとブラッシング。子犬時から毛並みの手入れは徹底していた。きちんと艶出しを怠らなければ維持出来ると言われていたので、美犬になって美犬になってとせっせと念入りに勤しんでいた。晩年まで毛艶を失わなかったのはこの時の労力の賜物かなと、少し鼻高々であるルージュ家。
相変わらずかかりつけ医での月一回の健康診断はかかさず。毎回歯石取り、中耳炎のチェック、肛門絞り(結局自宅では一度も成功せずだった)は必ずしてもらう。
体重の変化。
5月11日、体重7.40kg。測定するたびに体重増なのでそろそろ食事の量の調整を検討する話が出てくる。
6月13日、体重7.50kg。ここら辺が上限ではないかと。実際しばらくは体重増は無く落ち着くことになる。4、5歳までは数値は一定して変わらなかった。
6月16日〜22日、ルージュ父母は毎年恒例お楽しみのフランス旅行へ行くことに。気分転換にどうぞとルー兄姉。その間平日2泊3日をルージュはかかりつけ病院併設のペットホテルに初めて泊まることに。ルージュは大好きな先生の近くに居られるので行く前から飛び上がって大喜び。病院向かう途中もぴょんぴょん跳ねて到着したらワンワン先生を呼ぶぐらい大騒ぎ(多少複雑なルー兄姉)。入院以外では初めての外泊だが本人とても楽しんでいたようだ(先方のお話を聞いた限り食事も散歩もトイレもきちんとこなし、とても良い子にしてくれた)。
7月11日、体重7.65kg。
ルージュのなつやすみ。
そんなこんなで本格的なワンコとの共同生活が進んでゆく中、ルージュ家揃っての夏の家族旅行を計画する。8月21日から2泊3日。ルージュさん一緒の旅だぞ。
『夏休みの旅行、初日。』
今回の行き先は山梨県は河口湖。勿論ルージュと富士山を見に行くのが目的。電車での旅行が大好きな我が家としては昨年の清里旅行に続いて又しても列車移動をスケジュールに組み込み(後年は結局移動の手間と利便性を考えて旅行時は自宅から自動車での移動に切り替えるのだが)、旅情を楽しみながら新宿駅から大月駅は特急あずさ、大月駅から河口湖駅までは富士急のフジサン特急。昨年に比べて大きくなったルージュはサイズに合わせてAirBuggyに乗り換えているので心地良し(快適だよね？)。
河口湖駅に到着してからはレンタカーによる移動。河口湖畔で昼食。テラス席での家族の食事の匂いにつられてルージュ発狂。コットから飛び出しそうになり皆大慌て。その後宿泊するお宿に着いて夜までのんびり休養する。ルージュも疲れてはいるがさすがに１歳になると多少余裕も出てきたのか穏やかに過ごしてくれていた。
この河口湖にあるペンション、ルージュにとっては不思議なご縁となるのだが、彼女としては夏の旅行で初めて泊まったお宿であり、また彼女の犬生の中で最後に泊まった場所でもある。2022年秋に実は同じペンションに泊まることになるのだが(結果的にそれが最後の旅行となる)、巡り合わせを感じざるを得ない。１歳と12歳、同じ構図で泊まった部屋室内でたまたま写真を撮っているのだが、今改めて見ると運命めいたものを感じてしまう。ルージュ、もしかしてここを最期のお泊まりに選んだのはルージュ自身なのかな？
『ルージュのなつやすみ。夏の旅行二日目。』
河口湖で宿泊した翌日。
天候は曇りで生憎富士山がガスっていて見えない。残念だけど周辺を遊覧して富士五湖観光を楽しむことに。まずは一路山中湖方面へ。途中で忍野八海に寄る。
無論ルージュとの撮影目的でたくさん記録を残さなきゃ。辺り混んでいる中相変わらずルージュは観光客一人一人の顔を見るのに夢中。とにかく人を見るのが大好き。そんなにキョロキョロして疲れないのかな？本人は至って満足してるみたい。ソフトクリームを食べたりとルージュ家も観光を楽しむ。
次に山中湖畔へ。曇り空なので湖面が暗め、なので写真映りはどうかなと思っていたらパラパラと雨が。道中雨宿りしながら進みなんとか山中湖の湖岸でルージュと記念撮影をする。
昼食はテラス席のあるレストラン。パラソル付きの席の外は本格的な雨降りに。山の天気、ころころ変わるのは仕方がないからねと諦めて時間をかけながらオーガニックのランチでお腹いっぱいにする。ルージュも朝に作り置きしておいたフードとオヤツを食べて満足。心地よい雨音を聞きながら、自然に囲まれつつ山中湖を眺めての食事となった。
夕方前には早々ペンションに戻りゆっくりと身体を休める。ルージュもすっかり外泊生活には慣れてきて持参してきたマイベッドの上でゴロゴロ寛いでいる。ルージュにとってはみんなと一緒に居られる、みんなと一日中顔を合わすことが出来る、そんな些細な時間に幸せを感じているようで常にニコニコしてる。夜には和室で皆の布団、ルージュのベッドを一緒に並べて川の字で寝られる様準備してる時にも満足そうな顔をし続け、しまいに穏やかで可愛い寝顔を見せていた。ルージュ家もそんな健気な姿を見ることが出来幸せを感じる瞬間だった。
『夏旅行三日目、ついに最終日。』
三日目にしてようやく天候も好転。部屋で荷造りをしている間もルージュも気分が良いのかはしゃいでいる。可愛いので写真を何枚か。
まだ富士山山頂は雲はかかっているが陽が照る時間も増え、午前中から河口湖を周回しながら観光する。ところどころでルージュと一緒に写真を撮りながら、家族旅行らしい展開にルージュ家大喜び。昼前には富士スバルランドドギーパークへ。ウッドチップが敷き詰められた大きなドッグラン。初めての感触にルージュなかなか慣れず、声をかけてトリーツを見せびらかしながらなんとか動くよう誘導する。
「ルージュ、こっち向いて！」
ルージュも次第にドッグラン内をクンクンしたりそろそろ移動したりと環境に慣れ始める。そんな彼女の何気無い姿を見る楽しみもワンコ生活ならでは。戸惑いながらも案外楽しんでくれたルージュ、ドッグランの帰り際にはドギーパーク出口まで笑顔ではしゃいでいた。
旅行の最後の目的地、河口湖天上山公園のカチカチ山。犬同伴可能のロープウェイで頂上へ。見晴らしの良い展望スポットでいざ記念写真を撮ろうとしたら、かなり夏の真昼の日差しが強くなっていたこともありルージュはハァハァとパンティング激しく、ルージュ家慌てて木陰にバギー毎移動し彼女の顔や首筋に冷えたペットボトル等で身体を冷やす。なんとも慌ただしい家族ではあるがルージュの体調第一。昨年の夏、0歳時にはほとんど屋内で過ごしていたので、屋外で初めて経験する本物の夏。これからも気をつけなければ。ゴメンね、ルージュ。
『暑いよね。これが日本の夏の暑さなんだよ。』
身体も大分冷え落ち着いきたところで、短時間で目的の富士山を背景での記念撮影(頂上は見えていないけれど)。やっとミッションコンプリート！念願達成する。
そして旅の帰り支度。レンタカーを返却して河口湖駅。すっかり慣れた居心地の良いAirBuggyの中で静かにしながら富士急行ホリデー快速に乗って大月駅。JR特急かいじに乗り換え新宿駅へ一直線。夕食時には帰宅出来た。ルージュ初めての夏休みの家族旅行はこうして終了した。
天候には左右されたが家族一同とても楽しんだので、今後とも事ある毎にルージュとの旅行を計画して行こうと誓ったのである。お互いのスケジュールもそれぞれちゃんと合わせてね。ルージュさん、これでいいでしょ？
