Allow me to introduce my minions:
Dorobou-kun: A chocolate lab who lives along the street that goes to the train station. Jason named him 'little thief' because his modus operandi is to try to steal a bag, a shoe, a ring, or anything he can take back into his dog house so that he can get even more attention. He's really very sweet, but also very stinky. We had some trouble setting up boundaries, since he's a jumper, but after his worst burst of not minding in which I nearly lost my sweater to his thieving ways I ignored him for a week, and now he behaves for the most part. I have to keep a hand on his nose to keep him reminded to stay down, but I love him. Anyway, he's not the brightest of my minions, but he was the first to sign up. In the slideshow, you can see him in action trying to steal my groceries.
Oscar: The alley cats around here are very skittish, which is just as well because apparently people think it's funny to abuse them here too. They are considered pests by most, and there's next to no humane society here. A few private catch-neuter-realease programs only. They keep only the friendly ones, because those are likely to be tortured by assholes. Excuse my language, but I don't think there's any excuse for inflicting pain for one's own amusement.
Anyway, I don't think Oscar has been on the street for very long. He's so dirty and friendly, I wish I could help him find his way home. We saw him the first time a couple of weeks ago. When we walk to the station from my room, I always stop near the laundromat where the alley cats hang out. I think the owner of the karaoke place that shares the building sometimes gives them scraps. This one day I saw one I had never seen before. I said something dumb and cutesy, and instead of preparing to bolt, he looked at me. There was something obviously very different, so I took a shot in the dark and bent down and beckoned to him. He ran right up and nuzzled my hand purring. Usually cats are frightened of me; a couple of times they've been so skittish that when trying to take food they've accidentally gotten a claw stuck in me beside me thumbnail (not recommended, it hurt: I toss them food now). Anyway, I happily petted him despite the fact that he may be the dirtiest animal I have ever touched. I wish I could have picked him up and taken him home; he would happily have come, but no pets are allowed and I have no idea what I would have done with him in July. Not only that, he almost certainly has fleas, and I didn't want to inflict that on the building. Still, it's heartbreaking. I worried for a while he was no longer with us since it went so long without seeing him, but just the other day he was back behind the laundromat. He was a little less friendly, but that may have been because I had food this time. Still, he let me pet him, but if he becomes less tame it may prolong his life, sad to say.
Leftenant Nyan and the Noisy Brigade:
The tortie in closeup is Leftenant Nyan, the boldest of the alley cats. Definitely wild, but brave enough to come right up to me for food and to stay there while eating instead of grabbing and running. She will even tolerate me petting her briefly, although she will grouse and back off. I'm careful to pull away when she fusses, but so far she's made no sign of aggression. I'm excited that she'll permit that much so soon. I miss my babies... Anyway, the 6-7 members of the noisy brigade know me now. When I walk up to them they yell at me, and as soon as I move to get snacks from my bag, they run up and sit a few feet away.
The crows are not minions yet, but they are HUGE and noisy. I hope the audio on the video below works enough for you to hear the creepy sounds they make.
That's all for now. Okay, I've down flowers, animals... maybe I'll have some stories and photos of people soon.
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