Mom and dad took me to a place called Miyama in Kyoto prefecture.It is a famous place, often called “Kayabuki no Sato” (Village of the Thatch-roofed Houses). It seems that many tourists come to the place where traditional houses with thatched roofs are lined up. I wasn’t really interested in going where a bunch of other people go, I was excited to go somewhere that my mom told me was an ideal place for dogs, full of steep mountains, lots of nature, lots of greenery, and beautiful rivers.
On the way to Miyama, I already realized that what Mama was saying was true. The mountains seen from the car were really beautiful and so steep, I started getting a little carsick. The car window was closed, but I could still smell my favorite scent. I could feel my excitement rising… Mama said, “I’m afraid it’s going to rain,” but that doesn’t bother me. Because, unlike other places, when we go to a place like this, I am released from the lead and free to play!! I explored the grass and bushes over here, the river over there and everyplace in between all by myself. Mom and dad were anxious when they couldn’t see me, but I wasn’t scared at all because I always kept them within the range of my nose.
The water in the river was so transparent that I could see my body. I was surprised at the green frogs! Soaking in the water, running around in the soil, I was very happy and went back to my mom and dad. Mom said, “Hey, Koro, you are such a muddy boy, I’ll have to shampoo you twice when we get home.” That was OK with me, because with no lead and no shampoo Miyama was like a paradise for me!!
The time in Miyama passed very fast. When we got back home, I returned to a life with rules and with baths. Mama shampooed me twice as she had declared, and Dad put something on my leg. Speaking of which, my leg hurts a little. Dad said it was because I played too hard and put myself away while wet. I am not sure about that, but I feel like I might have strained my ankle when I slipped on a stone in the river.
One day later, there are leads and there are rules, and I am a little stiff. It was a good getaway, but now it’s nice to sleep on on my own cushion (and on Dad’s spot on the sofa). As I relaxed at home, I thought to myself that while I have a normal life, sometimes it can be extraordinary.
ママとパパが美山に連れて行ってくれた。美山は「かやぶきの里」と言われてる有名なところ。茅葺屋根の昔ながらの家が並んだところには観光客がたくさん来るらしい。僕はそんな観光客がたくさん来るところにはあんまり興味なかった。それより、ママが教えてくれたことを想像してウキウキしてた。ママが言うには「美山」っていう名前の通り、美しい山がいっぱい、自然がいっぱい、緑がいっぱい、川がきれい、犬には理想的な場所なんだって。
美山に向かう道中で、もう僕はママが言ってたことが本当だったってよく分かった。車の中から見える山並みは本当にきれいだった。車の窓は閉まってたけど、僕の大好きなにおいがいっぱいしてきた。車の中で僕はもう興奮マックスだった！
ママは「雨になっちゃってちょっと残念やねぇ」と言ってたけど、僕は雨でもなんともない、平気へっちゃら、楽しくて仕方ない。だって、いつもと違って、ノーリードなんだから！あっちの草やぶ、こっちの川の中、あちこち一人で探検した。ママとパパは僕が見えなくなると不安そうにしてたけど、僕はママとパパが見えなくても、2人のにおいがしてる限り、全然怖くなかった。川の水は僕の体が見えるぐらい透明だった。真みどりのカエルたちにはびっくりした！水に濡れて、土の中を走り回って、僕は大満足してママとパパのところに戻っていった。ママが「ひぇ～、コロまっくろ、泥んこ、家に帰ったらシャンプー2回するね」なんて言ってた。美山ではリードもないし、シャンプーもない。美山生活は犬にとっては天国！！
美山での時間はあっという間だった。帰ってきて、僕はまたルールがある生活に戻った。ママは宣言してた通り僕を2回シャンプーして、パパは僕の足に何か張った。そういえば、ちょっと足が痛かった。パパが「遊びすぎ。川の中の石で滑った時に捻挫したみたいやなぁ」って言ってた。リードがあって、ルールがあって、ちょっと堅苦しいけど、やっぱり家のクッションで寝るのは気持ちいい。普段の生活があるから、非日常が楽しいんだな。僕はクッションの中でウトウトしながらそんなことを考えてた。
