A day for visiting Homes, Kennels, Dogs and Handlers

Ok so I'm a bit behind...what else is new?

Well we awoke to a beautiful sunrise that was picture worthy.
We had a big breakfast and then picked up by our Host, Genji.
Off to his house for a quick visit. What a beautiful (and very large for Japan) home.
A huge fenced in from yard with grass and trees, so nice for the dogs.
His home is a feast for the eyes...filled with treasures of artwork, statues, trophies and pictures
of the dogs and travels that has been his life. Genji is a breeder of Danes, whippets, Jack Russells and Papillons.
He had a 7 week litter of JR's (the true short legged type) not Parsons.
OMG, so cute and beautiful. Stand up, feisty with bang up tails. I related a story of my Dad and how he had lost his very old
JR about a year and half ago. I mentioned that he had recently told me he was ready for a new pup. It was then that I learned my first "lesson".....never ever admire anything, otherwise it will be yours or show up on your doorstep. Kyoko then insisted she give me one for my father to help heal his broken heart. As much as I tried to insist I was just relaying a conversation and NOT asking for one, it was to no avail. So, I think a fab little guy will be making his way to the States for my Dad. After pictures, coffee and some nice conversation we were off to see his new Kennel.
A short 10 minutes from their home is the New Kennel Belisarius Dream Garden. A HUGE 5 acres of land that was previously the Emperior's Stallion Breeding Farm. I will post pics later as this is quite incredible and will be even better given some more time to complete all his plans. Truly beautiful and looks as if it could be set in Lexington, KY. He has taken the indoor barn stalls and made separated suites complete with Memory Foam beds the size of childrens beds, individual floor heating with each suite's own temp gauge for Hot or Cool. Large Paddocks and future indoor excercise area is still in the works. With just a few dogs and staff of about 10 they are working out the kinks while they continue their work until all will be moved from the handler's kennel. I was then asked to give some handling tips to his staff. So for the next hour or so we took some dogs and had a quick overview seminar. Fun but hard with a translator, I'm sure they thought I was crazy.
We then left there and went for a great lunch at a Chinese Food Resturant. Chinese Food in Japan? Well, it's the best Chinese I've ever had and nothing like the States. So flavorful, fresh just delicious. Now looking back I should have see what was to come....as this was to set the precedent for our meals to come. Delicious food and way too much of it... OMG, course after course after course. I had read about a lot of Japanese etiquette, some ran true, some not so much. But one, I did like was, you NEVER pour for youself....and always pour for others. It was really nice having Julie serve me all week.:)
We then left with very full bellies to visit with Genji's handler, Yoshi, his lovely wife and his staff. His kennel is about an hour away, couldn't tell you the town.??? We arrived again to a big welcome, always complete with food and drink. Also, visiting was handlers and breeders from Thieland. We had a chance to see and work with all of Genji's dogs and pick out whom would be showing which ones. Some really beautiful dogs and almost all are imports from US, Australia and UK. Genji has worked very hard at bringing in quality dogs to help in raising the standard of quality in Japan. His travels that take him all over the World have allowed him to find and import some really good dogs. They are well appreciated in Japan.
We then headed back to the hotel but had to stop for dinner. Another great dinner in a Korean BBQ. We had our own room and had such a nice dinner and conversation. Very traditional setting with shoes off and low table, I love that stuff.:)
Painfully full yet again we rolled back to the hotel and fell into bed, exhausted!