Choutarou, I'm going to have to cancel this afternoon's music lesson for Arashi. It's apparently that time of year when viruses are starting to go around, because she just woke me up half an hour before my alarm in tears because she doesn't feel good. I'd be mad, but the poor kiddo is miserable. She's got a fever and she's gotten sick a few times. Right now I'm just waiting for my boss to get to work so I can call out for the day. At least he knows I'm a single dad and has some sympathy for me for that. I'm pretty sure my wolves will last a day without me, my little girl needs me more than they do right now. 

 I will never, EVER help out with the penguins again. EVER. I went to go help out with feedings because one of the regular staffers is out on family leave and one of those flightless bastard birds bit me! I don't get bit by my wolves, what the hell? Wolves don't even hunt penguins, and I hadn't even gone to see the wolves before feeding the penguins that day! I have determined the little assholes are not cute, they are evil. Pure evil.

 I have so much respect for this guy. Wolves are one thing, but lions and hyenas? I couldn't do that. 

This is the first time in years that I've actually been home for Obon. And it's Arashi's first time experiencing it, too. When I told her about praying at the shrine for dead relatives, she insisted that we also go pray for the red wolf pup that passed away last month. Only girl in the litter, and she died from a perforation in her small intestine, the poor thing. So I suppose I'll be paying respects to her, too.

Also, anyone interested in seeing some of the more nocturnal animals actually awake and active, Ueno is holding a night safari. You can go through on your own or with a guide, and I'll be there for about three hours starting at 7pm. Feel free to stop by and come through the safari, and if you're really lucky, the wolves might just sing for you. 

Oh my god, life has been insane since the exhibit opened. It's a miracle I still have a voice from how much I talk all day, every day. The wolves are incredibly popular, and they're gradually adapting to the crowds and becoming more social. It's good to see them out and about in their enclosures, and the webcams are full of hits every day, too. People from all over the world watch the wolves in their enclosures, which spreads awareness for their species. I'm really happy about that part, because that means people all over the world care about them and want them and their wild relatives to thrive and prosper.

Now, I need more hot tea. With lemon. And honey. 

It occurs to me that I have gone too long without sharing pictures of red wolf puppies. Red wolves are still critically endangered, and a lot of policies that are trying to pass in the US will hurt them more. Also, I have some teaser shots of one of the Hokkaido wolves, Izanagi. So I'll start with him.

 

( More picture )

 Watch it. Seriously, You won't regret it.

www.youtube.com/watch

 Well, while I'm still ticked I missed meeting Salty's litter in person, I am glad I can look online and see them. At nine days old, they'll be opening their eyes soon, which is awesome. Moose, ever the protective dad, keeps camping out on top of the den, which is neat of him. Since I'm still waiting on them to finish the enclosures for the Honshu pair and the Hokkaido pair, there's not a lot for me to do at work right now. Aside from getting them used to me, that is. Still working on names for the four, we're debating posing a contest online so people can suggest names for them. I think that would be cool, but I'm also still trying to talk the zoo into installing cameras in the exhibits for people to follow online. It would get more of the public involved and interested in the four of them.

But in the meantime, for anyone who wants to coo over a pile of red wolves, click here! nywolf.org/wolf-cam/red-wolves-ex2/den

Why the hell would I be freaking out? I mean, just because as soon as the new term starts, I'll be running my own cram school out of our new MANSION that Atobe got us, and just because the kids that have already signed up for lessons from me are relying on me to get them top scores on tests so they can get into the best schools, what could I possibly have to panic about? >.> And that panic attack this morning? Totally not me. It was some other guy...who looks just like me...and lives in my house... <.< >.> 

 This wasn't so bad, really. But I thought I'd share the skirt I picked for it. FYI, it's barely mid-thigh.

Since this damn site won't let me post a picture, here's the skirt from the website I bought it from. 

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=F21&Category=bottom_skirt-mini&ProductID=2000104388&VariantID=