Job Discussion Forums

MotherF · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 4:19 pm Post subject:

Have you thought about Mexico?

The pay is better than Peru. Your husband speaks the language (though Mexican dependent visas do not allow the dependent spouce to work) and it's easy to bring a dog in, and not hard to find a house with an acceptable yard for rent.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

ssjup81 · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:52 pm Post subject:

I have a Shihtzu and I left her behind, though unwillingly. I saw how small everything was from the last time I lived in the country. I also didn't like the idea of keeping her in quarantine for so long and I honestly don't see how she could be walked if I'm gone the majority of the day due to work so I'm sure she would get lonely. I'm not happy but I know she is and that's all that should matter.

For the record, I didn't bring my cat for the same reason, especially given her age at the time (12).

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

If you are locating to a smaller town, you will likely be able to find pet friendly apartment buildings. As other posters have mentioned, it may cost extra, but these places do exist.

I wouldn't even consider leaving your dog in quarantine at the airport. Either go through the proper lengthy and expensive and paperwork intensive procedures at home or find your dog a new home. The japanese airport will charge you a daily fee to have your dog, and you must physically go to the airport each day to feed the dog and water it with your own food from what I understand.

If you do bring your dog, expect to spend as much or more time on the paperwork for your dog than your wife. The paperwork and precedures are arduous and expensive. You need to start several months ahead. You need to also be directly in touch with airports at your port of entry in Japan to confirm paperwork and fax them what they need. You will need to also be in close contact by phone with the airlines you are traveling on to reserve a space for the pet and fax them the appropriate paperwork. There are a series of checks that need to be done and paperwork filled out with your vet which takes a good year or a little more I think to get through. Let the domestic airport know as well, so they can be prepared to review your documents at the point of departure.

I speak from experience bringing 3 cats into Japan a year ago! It's not maybe as much of a nightmare as I am making it sound, but it takes a long time and work to do, but it can be done.

By the way, I have a co-worker who brought a 15 year old cat over last year. So, an older cat can be taken over if the vet agrees your cat is in good health (your choice of course). Vets say that cats are pretty tough animals against sickness, but dogs are a little weaker as they age. I have no bias because I grew up with dogs too and love them as well. I just happen to have cats because they are easier to take care of.

Cool Teacher · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:17 am Post subject:

ssjup81 · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:39 pm Post subject:

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I used to have one dog but got another since the older dog got lonely.
My wife and I would be gone a lot.

I had to work out with my wife the dog walking schedule. Dogs should walk three times a day. You need to think about this, considering teaching can get really busy at times. I have more time now since I teach at a university. Previously, I taught at a high school, and I had to stay until five.

One thing I don`t like about Japan is the lack of daylight savings time. So these days the older dog can wake up as early as five a.m. I tend to get less sleep from April to July due to my dog, so it forces me to go to bed early.

In terms of housing it is good to live near a park or a quiet area with not much traffic. Otherwise dog walking is a pain, what with cars, people on their bikes, pedestrians, etc.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I live in the Tokyo burbs. My neighbours have a dog, but they also have the advantage of a large family house with a big garden. This is a rarity in our dense neighbourhood. The park around the corner, which is really an emergency assembly area, has a dirt surface. No grass. Dogs need to roll and gallop and play.

Also, bear in mind that unlike North American city streets, there is no grass.　Dogs raised and run on hard surfaces tend to have problems with cracked foot pads and splayed paws. You see that a lot here.

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

In a small town in Japan your dog would have grass, and wouldn't have these health problems. Tokyo and the burbs of Tokyo are part of one of the largest cities in the world...

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Are you allowed to let dogs run off lead in smaller towns? I'm technically in Tokyo, though a very long way out, in many ways it's quite rural here (city-rural, not actually rural). But there is still nowhere you can let a dog off lead, and nowhere you can walk them on grass. Is it different in other areas?

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

I see people do that all the time at the grassy riverside park in rural Kirishima, Kagoshima!

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I don`t agree. With the yen/dollar rate at 78 you can do pretty good.
In fact I heard about one analyst who predicted 65 yen to the dollar in the future.

The problem is that a lot of wages have not gone up over the past 10 years.

If the yen keeps getting stronger I may stay in Japan. I want to buy a house or condo.