タイガのシャンプーをしたあと、自然乾燥の散歩に出かけました。天気が良いし空気が乾燥しているので、散歩中にかなり乾きます。帰宅してから仕上げのドライヤーをかけると、時間短縮になって助かります。
After shampooing Taiga, we went out for a natural dry. It was sunny and the air was dry, so we took advantage of it. By the time we came home, Taiga's coat was almost done, and it did not take me long to finish the drying process with a hair dryer.
Within a few minutes after leaving home, patches of loose pale hair began to surface. She has started moulting and while I was rinsing her coat in the bathroom, the drainage got blocked with loose hair. Before leaving home, I gave her a quick brushing, but these pale lumps of loose hair came out, nevertheless. It was satisfying to pull them out.
城北中央公園手前の草地に到着。午後4時頃なので、草の上を歩くと空気が涼しくて心地よかったです。
We arrived at the field near the Johoku Central Park. This is the field with cherry trees, and the place was packed with people during the cherry blossom season. Now the season has moved on, it was pleasant and cool to walk on the grass.
城北中央公園に移動。
We moved to the Johoku Central Park.
石神井川を挟んで向こう岸は工事中。洪水発生時のための地下調整池を建設中ですが、かつてのような草地に戻るにはまだ何年もかかる予定です。
On the other side of the Shakujii River, the field where Taiga and friends used play is under construction to build an adjustment underground reservoir for floods. It will take many more years to finish, by which time Taiga will not be there to enjoy the restored field.
清々しい空気のなか、公園の上のほうへ向かいました。
The air was cool and we went up to the upper part of the park.
クルミちゃん（左）とヤマト君（右）。ポメは吠える子がよくいるけど、この子たちはまったく無駄吠えがありません。
帰る前にベンチで一休みして、お約束のオヤツ。
We had a rest before going home, for Taiga's treat time.
家の近くまで来たところ、友達にばったり。左から、トイプードルのポニョ君、ポメラニアンのヤマト君とクルミちゃん、大きなシェルティーのジョン君です。
When we came back to our neighbourhood, we met some friends. From left to right, a male Toy Poodle named Ponyo, Pomeranians named Yamato and Kurumi, and a large Shelty named John.
このジョン君は３代目。初代ジョン君は黒と白のコートで、やはり大柄でした。２代目は今のジョン君と同じ配色と体形。初代のジョン君を散歩させていたのは当時高校生だった息子さんでしたが、今はすっかり社会人のオヤジ（飼い主さんの言）になっているそうです。
This John is the 3rd one in the family. The first John was a large, black and white one. The second one was the same colouring and size as the current one. The family's son used to take the first John out for walks, who was at the time a Senior High School student. According to the current walker (his father, now retired), his son is now a middle-aged corporate worker.
The Pomeranians - Kurumi (left) and Yamato (right). Unlike many other Pomeranians, Kurumi and Yamato are well trained and never bark unnecessarily.
ポニョ君が年上のクルミちゃんに甘えています。
Ponyo, the Toy Poodle, loves Kurumi like a big sister.
