After the last few days of awful news and continuous comment, there isn't much more one can say about the tragic situation in Japan. But I wanted share this article published on the LA Times website:
I was lucky to visit Tokyo in 2000, only briefly, for the tattoo convention that Permanent Mark used to put on. What an amazing city!! It really did feel like another planet, where everyone is so polite, even-tempered, and hospitable. And where everything seemed so organised. The food was incredible, even for a vegetarian, and the few days I had there with my fellow tattooists was a blast. I regret not ever going back in the last 10 or so years to see more of Tokyo and the rest of the country, but I have always enjoyed the stories of friends who travel there regularly - tales of meeting new Japanese friends and drunkenly singing rock songs into the wee hours of the morning, the shopping and the sight seeing, and the passion with which the Japanese do everything so well.
This photo (from seattledogspot.com) may have already been posted a million times over the last 24 hours, but it is just so moving.
I don't think anyone should underestimate the love and bond a lot of us have with our pets. For some people, that relationship is the most important thing in the world....
and for some it keeps them from giving up.
We implore the Japanese people not to give up.
For those who want to help animals stranded or injured by the disaster in Japan, Susan Wyatt has put together a list of links through which people can contribute. Please read!
