Working Dogs in Their Own Way

 A long walk through the wooded hills of Kamakura led me to an amusing realization: perhaps dogs are working animals after all. Not because they pull sleds or herd sheep, but because they keep their owners moving.

 

Today, we decided to take Ann on our Kita-Kamakura walking route.

Normally, we return to old Kamakura through Kamegayatsu Pass, but my wife wanted to see how the hydrangeas were doing at Meigetsu-in Temple, so we chose the longer course.

I was surprised to find a long line stretching in front of the temple.

The flowers are certainly beautiful, but I could not help wondering whether I would be willing to wait that long.

Leaving the crowd behind, we entered the hiking trail that runs from Kita-Kamakura toward Kencho-ji Temple.

The path is narrow, with bamboo grass pressing in from both sides.

There are enough ups and downs to make it a respectable workout. By the end, my watch estimated that I had burned 431 kilocalories—not bad at all.

One reason people keep dogs is that they need to be walked.

But walking a dog is also a job that encourages the owner to exercise.

Seen that way, dogs are a kind of working animal themselves—animals whose task is to make humans stay active.

Perhaps that is simply another way of saying the same thing.

In the afternoon, I spent some time working in the garden.

I had hoped to take a photograph of the results, but rain began to fall just as I finished.

Today, the rainy season arrived in Kamakura.

Sometimes the animals we think we care for are quietly taking care of us as well. 

・・・

Vocabulary for Learners

working animal
An animal that performs a task or job for humans.
使役動物、労働動物

respectable workout
Exercise that provides a meaningful amount of physical activity.
十分な運動

burn calories
To use energy through physical activity.
カロリーを消費する

stretching line
A long queue of people waiting.
長い行列

stay active
To continue moving and exercising regularly.
活動的でいる

rainy season
The period of prolonged seasonal rainfall common in East Asia.
梅雨

take care of someone
To help, protect, or support someone.
世話をする、支える

press in from both sides
To crowd or close in from the left and right.
両側から迫る、覆いかぶさるように伸び