In the Dog House

One of the first things we had to do once leaving the airport at almost 2200, besides hugging, was checking Ginger into the Karing Kennel for boarding, since (a) we cannot lawfully keep her with us in the barracks and (b) she and indeed all animals imported to Japan must undergo a quarantine period of up to 6 months. (More on that later).

She was, naturally, initially unenthused to be "abandoned" right after we were all reunited. But it was a pretty nice dog hotel: a 4' x 4' indoor room with cushy blanket they change every few days, and a food and water dish; and an outdor concrete pen accessible by doggie door, about 4' x 9'.

       

It did take her a while to adjust to being ther, and around so many other dogs. We visited 3 out of 4 available times over the weekend. The second day it was drizzly/raining. In the morning we played with her indoors and when we came back that afternoon she was all wet on top - she had been standing outside waiting for us.

Thankfully when I went to take her to the vet yesterday (Tuesday), she exhibited all signs of being legitimately comfortable there, and the techs said she was making friends with her neighbors.

So, why did I have to take her to the vet? Two reasons: to register her with base, and more relevantly because Japan is a completely rabies-free country so they are I dare say paranoid about it spreading. This is why all imported animals get quarantined; they also require annual rabies vaccinations. Quarantine period is determined by the date from which a passing blood antibody test was performed.  So, since Ginger had a passing FAVN in mid-February she should only have 2 months' quarantine from this point (although we will get a call to find out for sure, at the latest she has a 30 day follow up next month).

If we live on base, quarantine will not be required/be really informal since all the other animals are also vaccinated; if off base she can stay with us and is merely restricted to not interact with other animals! We are applying at the end of the month so stay tuned!