Published on : 2018 (translation) || Format : print || Location : Japan One line review : Keiko would rather behave exactly as others expect her to so she doesn't disappoint "society", and so she works at the same convenience store without changing anything about her life, but very soon the same society expects her to "upgrade" (change career and find a husband), except there is no manual on how to do these. ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ When something was strange, everyone thought they had the right to come stomping in all over your life to figure out why. I found that arrogant and infuriating, not to mention a pain in the neck. Sometimes I even wanted to hit them with a shovel to shut them up, like I did that time in elementary school. But I recalled how upset my sister had been when I’d casually mentioned this to her before and kept my mouth shut. Thoughts : When I started reading Convenience Store Woman , I had no idea what to expect. The synopsis does not give a
One year ago, this day, the husband and I walked nervously into the local Humane Society to get a dog. Before that, we spent a few minutes in the car asking each other if this is it, if we were really sure. Neither was willing to decide either way so we just drove to the shelter. After all, who knew if we'd even like one. Our plan was to get a big dog, like a lab or a retriever. That is, until we saw one of them jump so high that I suddenly started worrying for my table-high possessions and the TV. Besides, we were still living in an apartment then and had no plan to upscale our living. (As an aside, so much has changed in a year!) That's when we met Rue. She was napping in a corner while her relatively more boisterous (a word that's forever part of our life now) 3-month old companion came to greet us. We liked her and that's how this clueless couple ended up with a dog that's naughty, crazy, Marley-ish, cute (especially when she turns those eyes on you), photogenic, spoilt, super duper boisterous but very adorable.
Although her real birthday is in July (she'll turn three this year), we will probably celebrate May 5th itself. This morning, my dad made her a birthday cap that we struggled to put on her. We managed to snap a photo before she thrashed it off her head.
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Rue can't wait to get that bugging thing off her head. |
I had baked a carrot-peanut butter cake for her, which my mom helped carve into a shape as close to a bone as possible, and then topped it with peanut butter.
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Rue's cake. (The humans "helped" finish it even though they complained that it wasn't sweet enough) |
A few photo moments ensued. Clearly, the humans in the house were more excited and enthusiastic than the dog. who was very confused as to what was happening and why we were punishing her with a silly dunce cap. Thankfully, all those worries vanished after she got a whip of the peanut butter.
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Yummy, .. wagging tail .. ohmydogliness, ... tongue stuck .. this is ... tongue stuck .. awesome. ... tongue stuck .. More! ... tongue stuck .. .. wagging tail .. |
We gave her a squeaky duck (which, at this moment, lies in the bedroom in defeated tatters) and a tug rope (which is on its way to joining the duck). Right now, she is one contented dog. Happy "Birthday" Rue!

Comments
Pets can really much such a difference to quality of life :)
Aren't you glad you took the chance??