People often say that their pet is part of the family, well in Japan that is more true than ever. Especially if you experience it up close.

Michelle and I had visited pet store before in our previous trips to Japan, but we of course could never take one with us due to our short trip (and we stayed in a hotel). Because we were looking what kind of stuff they had for cats, we were visiting pet stores again. We will be taking our cats with us the next time we go back to Holland, so we wanted to make sure we could find everything we needed. The most amazing thing about Japanese pet stores is that you sometimes forget it's for pets. Designer clothes, jewelry, rain coats, hair pieces, shoes, sun glasses and other wearables are all the fashion. Cushions and couches are available too for sizes big and small. And for those long walks in the park there are strollers where they can rest if they get tired. Most have a removable part that you can use for travelling by car or as hand bag for walking or going by train. Many pet stores offer grooming, curling and hotel services as well. The dogs themselves are different too, mainly due to the Japanese size preference since smaller is better for their apartments and houses. This gets you toy-poodles, mini-chihuahuas and baby-pugs to indicate their petiteness. It almost seems like they are a fashion accessory instead of a pet.

Not all pet stores have a good reputation, but luckily Michelle found a chain called Kojima with a good reputation. When we got to the nearest one from our house, you could see that they took much more care of their young dogs and cats than other stores we had visited before. Their selection of goods was also larger and of better quality than the small shops we had seen before. Most stores just want to make a good profit, especially since most pets are sold at premium prices. It's rare to see one below 1000 euro and after a while you get used to see prices of 2500 euro for a cat or dog, even more for the 'better' breeds. It was kind of the same at this Kojima store. As usual all pets were of a good pedigree, with only one exception. There was a 'hafu', a mix of two dog races. Although very normal in Europe, it's a very uncommon sight at Japanese pet stores. As we were taking a good look at it, it was quite clear already when he looked back: we wouldn't leave the shop without him.

As we indicated to the staff we would take him, the circus began. We've never bought a dog in a pet store before (is that even possible in Holland?) and in Japan that meant we got the full course. We were guided through the store where they indicated each and every item we would need for the upcoming time. There was the regular stuff like food, puppy supplemental, puppy-approved snacks and a sleeping cushion. What we didn't expect was the bench, which was completely different from Dutch ones since it looked more like a baby box with an open top and all, and the dog toilet. Yes, dogs have a toilet at home. It's a horizontal grate with some sort of diaper underneath it. The diaper can contain the watery output (to be changed daily) and keeps the smell away, while the more solid sustenance disposal will stay on the grate and can easily be relocated to the regular toilet by the owner. It's better to do that quickly by the way since that odour is the only thing the toilet can not contain. After that we got a thorough explanation of how to handle a puppy, how to take care of a more mature dogs, which vaccination shots were still needed, that he was already chipped and when contact with other dogs was allowed. Apparently, puppies are not allowed outside until they are three months old although they could not explain to us why. We had to fill in a form with a lot of questions about ourselves as well and of course they told us that we could take a health and life insurance policy. Compared to Dutch insurances the rate was very good, especially since you also got a 30% discount on any veterinary costs and a 10% discount on most things at the store. We took the whole package, since we thought it was better to be a bit overinsured in a foreign country with possible unexpected costs. All in all, these 'extras' took quite a penny out of our purse as well.

They took a picture of us with our new dog and we even got all the pictures they took themselves for promoting the dog (in store and on the website) which showed a very tiny puppy. We hadn't decided on a name yet, but we would get back to the store for that later on. He was 'packed' in a carton carrying box, complete with breathing holes, toys and a heat pad on the bottom. The rest of the stuff was a bit much to carry, especially the bench, but we tried anyway. For about 10 meters. Then we hailed a taxi and took the 5 minute ride home. Much easier!

At home Dennis put the bench together and placed his sleeping cushion, water fountain and second toilet in it, while the new house inhabitant was exploring the house with Michelle running after him. After playing a while and exploring everything (AND using the toilet!), he was tired from all the new impressions and quickly fell asleep. We eventually called him Tora (tiger in Japanese) and he was already feeling at home.