Home   >   Homebase   >   TAKING CARE OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS IN SUMMER

TAKING CARE OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS IN SUMMER

By on July 7, 2015
Everyone is dogged by heat in the summer, especially those endowed with a layer of fur. Our four-legged companions have it hard this time of year; not a pavement goes by where they can’t be seen drooling and breathing heavily, tongues flopping.
We all know Tokyo is about as dog-centric as a city can be-but how can we make the summer season more comfortable for our pedigree chums?

For starters, the obvious solution is to simply take them away from it all. If they are suitably chipped and vaccinated, it’s always possible. For international flights, you will be required to present a Health Certificate and vaccination documentation from your veterinarian. Check with the embassy or consulate of your destination for documentation requirements and length of quarantine; plan well in advance. For a quick trip, try Okinawa or Hokkaido; domestic airlines make things much simpler. Take smaller dogs in the cabin, pooch class! Airlines allow small dogs in the cabin in the appropriate sized holdall for a fee. Once again, check with your airline for the exact carrier and weight dimensions. See the wonderful Angels With Fur Japan for the latest quarantine procedures and general travel tips.

The sheer number of dogs in Japan means that doggie power wins through and hotels have had to open their doors to the canine community. Rooms often accommodate dogs with special sofas and loungers, and of course, cable TV, so they don’t have to miss their favorite program: ‘K9 Karma’ on Animal Planet. Check Wanpara (in Japanese) for dog-friendly hotels throughout Japan. Also, if you are on your way overseas and want everyone to get a good night’s sleep before the long haul, the Hilton (0476-33-1121) at Narita goes out of its way and offers a deluxe doggy package for small dogs under 10kg.
A dog’s life in Tokyo can be as stressful as its owner’s, summer or no summer, dog yoga or Doga helps you  unwind together. Stretch out on the mat and find inner peace together. Naturally enough, many yoga positions are right up their street. Downward Facing Dog comes naturally! Try the Chaturanga Pose where your dog lays on its stomach while you stroke its back. Not only will Doga help relax and soothe, but it can also lower blood pressure and help digestion–just remember to crank up the air con for both your sakes. Hot yoga doesn’t go down well this time of year.
After a session of Doga, it’s therapy time. Head for Yoyogi, a hub of canine activity. Let them off the leash in the wood-chipped dog run (remember to abide by their size segregation) and try Ownd cafe in Yoyogi-uehara, the first Oxygen bar exclusively for dogs. Pure oxygen is pumped into a special dog pod for a refreshing 30 minutes. Your revitalized dog will now be ready to tackle the bewildering array of doggie boutiques and pick out something suitably ‘cool’. Check out the Barkery for labels such as Baby Cake for the latest in street fashion and then it’s off to Odaiba beach, the Miami beach of the dog world, a true catwalk for Tokyo dogs. Let your dog strut his stuff and meet new friends whilst you concentrate on your tan lines. To top the day off take to the water with a special ‘happy dog cruise’ around Tokyo bay.
Nowadays it’s dog cafés that litter our high-streets, not the doo. Both pet and owner can relax at the same table over tea and cake. Decos dog café (www.hot-dog.co.jp) in Daikanyama has a menu specifically designed for  hungry canines, offering a range of gourmet delights, from sweet potato scones to delicately sliced  steak and crudities. Classes for dog etiquette are also available so they can get their paws around a creme brulée. For something more down-to-earth, try the Bakery cafe 632 in Omotesando with its outdoor courtyard and shaded tables. Best of all, you won’t get any disapproving looks if your dog isn’t dressed up to the nines.
At the swanky Green Dog in Midtown, a massage and spa can be had. Particularly popular is the mud-pack from the Dead Sea. Nail painting, hair dying and extensions are all available for that new summer look. A more affordable treat after a hard day’s shopping is a lick of Doggy ice cream Wanko No Ice Cream in bone shaped portions. Choose from Dachsund Daiquiri, Choco-Chow and Key Lime Labrador available from all good doggie hangouts.
Sometimes we just have to let go and leave our dogs in another’s capable hands. Japan’s pet hotels will treat our loved ones to a five- star luxury stay. There are plenty of dog resorts to choose from. Dog Days in Mid town has various stay packages, however, the further out of central Tokyo you are prepared to go, the more reasonable the rates become. Contact a pet sitter if you feel more comfortable leaving your loved ones in the comfort of their own home. They can provide a daily visiting service to feed, walk and talk. Finally If you need to dash and can’t stand to part until the very last minute, the pet hotels in and around Narita airport are so convenient. Various options are available from deluxe suites to regular holds and they can also pick up and drop off.

PET HOTELS AND SITTERS
www.island-p.net/   (Contains a directory of pet hotels, sitters in the city )  Japanese page
www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/  (English page)
www.smilepoint-minatoku.jp  Japanese page
www.petsitter.co.jp   Japanese page
Pet Hotel Pet Salon Free Doggy    (With drop-off and pick up services)   Japanese page
Dog Meister  (Convenient for those leaving from Haneda airport.  The place is near a parking space.) Japanese page

About Debbie Oakes