Community: Hearing the Voice of Japan's Residents

There is a fine line between discipline and abuse, but in Denny's case, that line was grossly overstepped. The 2-year-old Denny, a ginger-and-white border collie, is intelligent and sensitive, and animals such as he do not respond to bullying. His previous owner bullied him and it has left its mark. Like parenting, no licenses are demanded of those who keep animals, but when a trusting, innocent creature becomes the victim of abuse at the hands of the misguided, one wishes they were. Denny was picked up by the neck, shaken, thrown, drugged, sprayed with cold water, not walked or washed for a year, and of course given no proper medical attention. He still loves people, but he is also terrified of them, especially men. His confusion requires special care, but his case is far from hopeless. He forms desperately strong bonds and needs someone who wants to bond with him as well. Denny needs someone who will commit to helping him heal, by giving him love that doesn't hurt.
MACHIKO NAKANO PHOTO
Anyone interested in adopting Denny, please email ARK at Tokyoark@arkbark.net or call 050-1557-2763 Monday to Saturday (bilingual) for more information. Tokyo ARK is a nonprofit organization founded by Brit Elizabeth Oliver. It is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals. All animals are vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Prospective new owners are asked to undergo a screening process.

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LICENSE TO HEAL

Tour guide exams another example of national licensing frenzy

From Taiji to Okinawa, readers dissect some issues of 2012