I have a complicated relationship with car rides, but recently my Mom and Dad brought a new car into the family. It is black, like me, so I had an immediate liking to it. I had been in it a few times before, but this time we were going on what my Dad called a “road trip”. Into the the cage I went, and then we were flying…or I mean driving. And driving through miles and miles of tunnels as we went underneath mountains as we headed to what I had been assured would be a great destination.
Soon enough we emerged back into sunlight and my nose picked up a scent in the air that I recognized. Then Mom did a big reveal and said “The ocean Koro!!”. Needless to say, I was pretty excited. Dad kept my lead firmly in hand. He said “for safety’s sake”, but I think he just gets scared when I am not there to watch over him. Finally, I was released, and like a spring that had been pulled taught, I shot forward towards the ocean. It was just like I remembered it: salty, and it went on forever.
Mom and Dad kept wanting me to play with them, but despite my feelings towards them, the sirens’ call of the ocean was too strong. I had to stay in the water. I wasn’t the only dog there that day. I also met a few new friends. I thought there might be a chance for some summer love, but it was not to be. Still, no broken-heart here. Just wet, sandy fur.
ママとパパと車に乗ってちょっと遠くまで行った。僕は鳥取に行った時みたいに車の後ろのケージの中で、いつもと違うにおいをクンクンしてた。今回も全然げーげーしなかった。急に暗くなったり明るくなったりするのが不思議だったけど、それはトンネルの中を走ったり、また外に出たり、って繰り返してたからだって。やっと明るいだけの世界に戻ったとたん、僕は前に覚えたにおいがしてくるのを感じた。ママが言ってた「潮のかおり」ってやつだ！海だ！！ママとパパが「ここでコロと遊ぼう」って降ろしてくれた。僕は知ってる。このにおいがする方向に行けば海がある、泳げるって！でもパパが僕のリードを握ってるからまだ行けない。一瞬、いつもがっちり僕のリードを握ってるパパの手がリードを離れたチャンスを僕は逃さなかった。僕は走った。走った走った。ジャボーン！海だ海だ。そう、水が塩辛い、広い広い、水がどこまでもどこまでも続いてる。パパとママが僕を見ながらビビってる「コロォ～、おいでぇ、おいでぇ」。他の犬友にも出会った。海での出会い！ロマンスが生まれるかもって期待したけど、それはなかった。。がくぅ～。。。
For only the second time in my life, a chance to play in the ocean!
