Doug

Is that a dog in your pants, or are you just happy to see me? #Dogs

This morning in front of the sports center I met this mastiff named Tenyu. He is two years old, and very shy. And he weighs 114 kg! By comparison, this morning I weighed 69 kg. And Pao weighs 34 kg.
#Dogs

Oh, you’re all done with your online English lesson now? I guess I can calm down and stop barking for a while. #Dogs

Oh, you’re done with your meeting? I can stop being hysterical and relax now. Sigh. #Dogs

Cherry blossoms forecast to bloom earlier than usual across much of Japan | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News Private-sector weather firms in Japan have released their latest forecasts for when the buds on cherry trees in the country will start to open this spring. They say the Somei Yoshino variety will come...

That’s like about a month earlier than when I first came to #Japan.

www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...

Seen at the hospital today during a regular visit. #Japan

Poor Pao. It’s raining all day. #Dogs

Hirokazu and Pao this morning. #Dogs

Pao sitting by the front door, pretending he’s cute. He has everybody fooled. #Dogs

After walk rope ball frenzy. #Dogs

While on a Pao walk this afternoon.

Tokyo SkyTree from the Nakagawa during afternoon Pao walk. #Tokyo #dogs

Pao making sure the garbage collectors are doing their job properly. #Dogs

Pao’s been hanging out behind my office chair all morning. #Dogs

By the way, I think I’ll stick to dogs and scenery photos here. The character limitations are too strict to post anything political or which requires commentary.

In my neighborhood, near the river, there’s this one house where every year the Sakura blooms early.

Snow this morning. #Tokyo

Pao and his sister run into each other again. #Dogs

Pao looks unsure about whether he wants to go for a walk or not. #Dogs

I’m going shopping. Are you going to be quiet while I’m gone? #Dogs

What Trump officials claimed about Alex Pretti — and what the evidence actually shows | CNN Politics Top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have responded to the killing of Alex Pretti by the Border Patrol in Minneapolis on Saturday with a torrent of claims that are either contradic...

More details on the Trump administration's lies about the murder of Alex Pretti, and their shifting stories.

edition.cnn.com/2026/01/25/p...

Timeline: How the Shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti Unfolded (Gift Article) A moment-by-moment analysis of videos from the scene shows that Mr. Pretti was already restrained when shots were fired. The footage contradicts the federal government’s account of the fatal shooting.

Moment by moment. The Trump administration is out and out lying. ICE is creating chaos and death and needs to be removed. As do Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi and all the other lying officials. We need a truthful government that promotes peace, not death and division.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

From family of Alex Jeffrey Pretti:

“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.”

Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you."

OK. Don’t move until tomorrow. #Dogs

Morning grooming. #Dogs

January 13th is known as the "coldest day in Tokyo."

On January 13th, 1876 (Meiji 9), a temperature of -9.2°C was recorded in Tokyo.

This was the coldest day in the history of the Japan Meteorological Agency's observations in Tokyo. #Tokyo

It was really windy today by the river during our afternoon walk. #Dogs

Pao and his sister, Komachi this afternoon. #Dogs

It’s snowing! #Tokyo

Six years ago today. Pao and he’s two sisters. #dogs

2026 on the western calendar is Reiwa 8 in #Japan.

2 + 6 = 8!

An easy way to remember… for now.

Reiwa 8 will also be the Year of the Horse.

Have a good new year!

良いお年を！来年も宜しくお願いします！