Animals too suffer in Tohoku, Japan

Here is what I wrote in April 2011, on another blog:
((Momo, Chouchou, my husband and myself were living in Fukushima city; I left Fukushima on March 17, 2011))

To tell the truth, the earth has not really stopped shaking since March 11, 2011. But, this past week or so, it seems that stronger aftershocks followed one after another.
My two cats are still in Fukushima city with my husband and his mother. They stay mainly on the 2nd and 3rd floors. When there are earthquakes or aftershocks, high floors tend to shake more than the ground floor.
Both cats were born in Japan. But it seems that even Japanese cats are not used to earthquakes. That’s why, when there are too many or too strong aftershocks, they tend to get really very nervous and stop eating. Also, they have troubles finding places that seem safe, as everything is always shaking.
Both my husband and myself are very worried about them. I do hope to be able to bring them back to Switzerland as soon as possible, but first, I need to find a new home (and, before that, a new job).
PS: not all pets in Tohoku are so lucky and still have a home. These organizations help support homeless pets in the Tohoku area and need your support, too: JEARS, ARK (in Tokyo).

Happy New Year !

End of the year 2010

More pictures of Chouchou

Spring pics of Chouchou and Momo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter and cats

Cats have a fur and I believe that they don't feel cold the way we do. However, they really prefer warm places. 

Momo has been enjoying my inlaws' hot carpet in the evening (the cats cannot go to their room during the day) while Chouchou likes to lay down in the classroom when there are students. Not only because she enjoys their company, but because I use the air con during the classes and she found a spot where the warm air nicely comes onto her fur. 

Fukushima is getting really cold and the house is not well insulated. I end up spending a lot of time at my desk, feeling cold. Last week-end, I bought an electric cover for my legs and a hot carpet for my feet. 

The cats soon discovered this marvelous invention, the hot carpet. And they soon decided that it indeed did belong to them. They can even share the same space (something they usually don't do). 

At first...

Feeling more comfortable...

Chouchou

Un des coins préférés de Chouchou et un des rares endroits où Momo ne va pas (c'est trop haut pour lui)

 

Chouchou avec et sans flash...

Cute Momo, cute Chouchou

Momo still loves the storage space behind the living room. During Oshogatsu holiday, we did some cleaning and threw away some of the items piling there. We also made sure that Momo would have several different comfortable spots. Ideally, we would like to get rid of most of the futons, but my father-in-law wants to keep them. And since nobody sees the mess (usually), it's OK...