今朝の公園で初めて会った真っ白い子犬。生後半年の日本スピッツの男の子で、名前は「ポシャケ」君。何となくつけた名前だそうです。向こう十数年間「本当にこの名前で通すの？」と疑問に思う人もいるかと思いますが、その心配は必要ないかも。実際にワンコを飼って分かったのは、一緒に暮らしているうちに次々とニックネームが自然にわいてきて、そちらも頻繁に使うということです。タイガの場合、5，6個あるうちのどれを使って呼んでも反応するので、名前の重要性は感じなくなりました。
We met a new face during our morning walk in the park. A 6 months old, male Japanese Spitz, named 'Poshake'. Such a strange name with no particular meaning. One might wonder if they are going to call him by this name for the next 15 years or so without regretting. No worry, as you live with a dog, you come up with lots of nicknames. In Taiga's case, she has 5-6 alternative names and she responds to all of them very well. The name registered with the Ward Office is important when you take the dog to the clinic but, otherwise, any other affectionate way of calling will be just as good.
フワフワの真っ白。人形みたいです。タイガもそうでしたが、こういう天真爛漫な子は一緒に暮らしやすいし、躾けやすい。
He is so fluffy and pure white, looking like a doll. He has a happy and bold temperament, just like Taiga was as a puppy. It is easy to live with such a dog, compared to a nervous one.
タイガに近づきたいけど、ちょっとビビってる？耳が後ろ向きにぺったんこ。
He wants to greet Taiga but feels a little hesitant, as can be seen by his ears pressed backwards.
飼い主さんたちに甘えるの何の。いいなあ。私は「吠えない犬に厳しく育てたければこう」というある人の教えに従って、最初の２年間はタイガを突き放した姿勢で育てたので、今でも他所の人たちにはベタベタ愛想が良いけど、私には時々そうっと近づいて来る程度です。
He is super cuddly with his parents. Ah, I should have let Taiga behave like this. In my case, I wanted to bring her up in a strict manner so that she would not bark at strangers - an image associated with Kaiken. So, I followed an advice for the first 2 years, which made her very independent and steady but also aloof towards me. She is more affectionate towards other people than with me.
A personality with pure white innocence.
