Miku, 14-years-old, and her dog, Saku, were both born in Arizona, seven years apart, to different parents. Miku’s parents are Japanese and Saku’s are Dachshunds.
Imagine Miku’s surprise when she received the two-month-old puppy as her Christmas present! For the special occasion, Saku was dressed in a bright red bow as she was ‘gifted’ to Miku.
“I named her Sakura,” explains Miku, “because it is a pretty name and in Japanese it means ‘cherry blossom’. We nicknamed her Saku.”
Saku is not a fragile flower! She is a wild and crazy athlete! When she is overcome with uncontrollable joy she runs, as fast as she can, in huge circles around her family for long periods of time without displaying fatigue. “She reminds me of a horse racing at full speed,” laughs Miku.
It sounds like Saku’s breed should be spelled DASH-hound! Usually, the Dachshund is a tenacious hunter known for chasing small animals, birds, and balls with a stubborn and unyielding focus, which explains why off leash in a park, Saku’s passionate about chasing any brave squirrel that dares make themselves visible. She relentlessly chases squirrel after squirrel.
Luckily, she never catches the tail-twitching tree rodents, which is a relief to her family. . . and the squirrels! And when she races through tall grass, her family laughs as she leaps and jumps, up and down, in the vegetation, for a better view, like a prancing deer or rabbit.
Saku truly dislikes running water (streams, rivers, and the ocean) or going near it. This makes living in the Pacific Northwest difficult with water, water, every where! “Arizona is not this wet,” Saku would tell us!
When Saku’s family walks over bridges, she digs her claws into the earth, putting all her doggy weight into her back-leg-brakes. She refuses to move so they have to carry the reluctant “princess” over the moats. But, like any deep brown-eyed romantic lady, Saku, is always up for long walks on the beach - just not near the water.
Dachsunds are known as clever dogs and Saku is – she’s bilingual! “She responds accurately to “come, stay, or sit” in English,” explains Miku, “But she also understands these and many other Japanese words.”
The name "Dachshund" in German translates to "badger dog" and the breed is known for tunneling into burrows to flush out burrow-dwelling animals like badgers and rabbits.
This explains Saku’s penchant for sleeping (burrowing) under her family’s beds, especially when it is “rainy outside”. (“Yuck! Rain!” says Saku.) Her breed is so well known for burrowing that cozy ‘burrow beds’ are now available for them online.
Being from Arizona, one of Saku’s favorite pastimes is “soaking up the sun until she starts panting,” said Miku.
“My family and I walk more now than we did B.D. (Before Dog). Having parks nearby benefit our dog’s health and ours. Walking Saku helps us exercise and she also creates more opportunities for making new friends. People easily spark up conversations with us.
Another benefit is that my dog provides companionship and makes me laugh. Having Saku has given me a greater respect for living things. When I was small, I was afraid of dogs, but by caring for one, my fear disappeared. Saku has taught me to see through her eyes and how to care for others.
When my mother cooks meat,” said Miku, “Saku sits under the table and licks my legs asking for a meat-treat, so I always sneak her some.
I hope, one day, to have children and give them their favorite pet for Christmas. Saku is the best friend and memory I have!”
