Something bad happened this month: my local shrine is no longer “open” to dogs. It’s not my fault! Some other dogs in the neighborhood have been going there every day and apparently some of the people who drop by to pray have not been so happy to see their shrine turned into a dog run. There is a little bit of controversy here because no one is sure if the new “no dogs” sign was posted by officials associated with the shrine or by the one guy who goes to the shrine and does not like dogs. Alt’s family are members of the shrine, so it seems like they could ask, but apparently, while angry, they are not asking.
To be fair, shrines are religious sites, but there are many that welcome dogs. This particular shrine probably doesn’t get more than 10 visitors a day and is nestled between two hills and completely green. It is beautiful and spacious and a fun place to play. Alt and his family have been playing there for decades. So I will wait and see if dogs are welcomed back.
This reminds me of a story about that shrine from when I was a puppy. In the beginning, I did not have a good relationship with the god of that shrine. I admit that, initially, perhaps, in my joie de vivre, I was a bit disrespectful. I would run around, chase balls, smell things, mark some trees, and in the course of play, get thirsty. Then I would drink some water at the shrine from one of the two nicely placed water spigots. But the water did not sit well with me, and almost every time, after drinking my fill, I would throw up the water.
Mom and Dad thought it was because I drank too much water too quickly. But I don’t think they knew much of how relationships work between dogs and gods. I think I was throwing up because the god of that shrine was saying, “IF YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY IN MY FIELDS, COOL OFF IN MY SHADE, AND DRINK MY WATER, YOU MUST SHOW ME SOME RESPECT!”
I can understand that, but respect is a two-way street. After all, “I AM KORORADO! HEAR ME BARK AND GIVE ME TREATS!” I knew I had to make that god respect me as well. And one day, when I was presented with the opportunity to actually wrestle with that god, I did not shirk away from the challenge. I seized it with all of my heart and both of my jaws. It was a battle of epic proportions.
Like Hercules and the river god Achelous, after tremendous effort, I finally wrestled him to submission. It’s true! Dad was there. He saw everything!
Anyway, once the god saw the strength of my spirit and the purity of my soul, we declared a truce and made peace. From that point on, I brought joy and warmth to that shrine and the god of that shrine provided harmony, shade, and water. And I never threw up (there) again.
I will miss going there. And I think that god will miss me as well. You know you can’t spell “god” without the letters: d-o-g.
あ~、悲しいことがあったよ。近所の神社に、久しぶりに散歩に行ったら、入口に「犬の散歩厳禁」って張り紙があった。。。その神社にはほとんど人が来ないし、神様の後ろには林が広がってるから、よくアルトや他の友達と走ってた。僕は最近行ってなかったけど、たまに来る参拝者がアルトたちが走ってるのを見て、神社がドッグランになってる!って、怒ったのかも。神社の関係者に苦情言って、その張り紙を張ってもらったのか、その怒った人が勝手に張ったのか、真相は知らんけど、、、
神社は宗教的な場所だ。神様にも、神社を訪れる参拝者の人にも敬意を示すべきってよく分かってるよ。たくさんの人が来る神社で走り回ったりすることはしないよ。この近所の神社は、多分、1日に数人どころか、1人も来ない日も多いと思う。神様の後ろには林が広がってて、完全に自然に囲まれてる。犬にとっては、魅力的な場所なんだ。アルトの家族はこの神社の氏子って言ってた。アルトの家を含めて3村(まだ「村」っていう言い方をしてた頃の名残)がこの神社の氏子で、アルトの家族は、何十年も犬たちをこの神社に連れて行って、林で遊ばせてたって。でも、怒ってる人がいるから、しばらく犬達が神社に行くことはしない方がいいんだろうと思う。
僕はパピーの時、よく、この神社で遊んでた。アルトと出会ったのも、この神社だったし、懐かしいな。最初の頃は、神様にちょっと失礼だったかも。まだパピーで、周りのことよく見えてなかったから、走り回って、あちこちの木におしっこかけたり、神様のお水をちょっともらったり、失礼な態度だった。
神様の水を飲んだ後、ちょっと吐いたことがあった。ママとパパは僕ががぶ飲みするから、って言ってたけど、それは違う。多分、僕が神様に敬意を示してなかったから、罰があたったんだと思う。世の中のことが分かった今は、自分の子供っぽさを恥ずかしく思ってる。神様、謝罪します、神様、ごめんなさい。
神社で遊んだ日々が懐かしい。もう行けないのかな。神様だって僕たちが来なくて淋しがってると思う。だって神様っていう英語の単語は犬なしでは書けないんだよ。神様は犬の反対:D O G G O D