TOKYO JOURNAL Pet Menagerie

A Dog Called Chip Pets in Webs

First Sega created a ¥12,800 cybercat called Ferie, a computer-
interfaced feline children can learn from without badgering Tokyo animals; then came Ferie puppy. If the pet is poorly cared for, it runs away - on screen, of course. Casio Computer has produced a ¥16,500 digital dog that lives in its own pocket-sized personal organizer, a product which Diamond magazine described as having "no practical use." And we're not talking spiders or duck feet. There a number of pet sites on the World Wide Web, ranging from lots of cute pictures of chickens and cows to the winning carp in last year's All Japan Koi Show. Our favorite, however, is the Godzilla Care Sheet. This entertaining site tells you what to feed your monstrous lizard ("Tokyo Tower and Honda Civics"), how to spot signs of Mothra activity ("A huge glowing egg somewhere in the vicinity"), and what to do when your Godzilla gets angry ("scream wildly for the heaviest available firepower").

A Dog Called Chip	Pets in Webs
First Sega created a ¥12,800 cybercat called Ferie, a computer- interfaced feline children can learn from without badgering Tokyo animals; then came Ferie puppy. If the pet is poorly cared for, it runs away - on screen, of course. Casio Computer has produced a ¥16,500 digital dog that lives in its own pocket-sized personal organizer, a product which Diamond magazine described as having "no practical use."	And we're not talking spiders or duck feet. There a number of pet sites on the World Wide Web, ranging from lots of cute pictures of chickens and cows to the winning carp in last year's All Japan Koi Show. Our favorite, however, is the Godzilla Care Sheet. This entertaining site tells you what to feed your monstrous lizard ("Tokyo Tower and Honda Civics"), how to spot signs of Mothra activity ("A huge glowing egg somewhere in the vicinity"), and what to do when your Godzilla gets angry ("scream wildly for the heaviest available firepower").

rent-a-pet

Setagaya's Perro Moco pet store (3428-4111) allows animal lovers to become virtual pet owners by renting out dogs. Small ones cost ¥5000 for one day, while a Golden Retriever weighs in at ¥8000. Says one housewife who rents a mutt when her husband goes out of town on business: "It's perfect, because he hates dogs." And if you're really lonely, Ichinichi Dobutsu Mura near Sagami Lake will rent you a whole zoo for ¥165,000. The company crams 150 beasts into a truck - including pigs, goats, ducks, rabbits, roosters and snakes - and sets them up in tiny cages in a location of your choice.

Pet Trivia

Pet Holidays

Gimme Steam

The Kinukawa Kokusai Hotel in Tochigi's Shitani mountains is the most popular weekend retreat for Tokyo pets and their owners. Since 1986, this hot spring resort has hosted more than 37,000 animals. Most of the humans who pay the ¥11,000 bed and breakfast charge also cough up another ¥500 for their pets; another ¥2700 allows you to spend an hour with your favorite dog or cat in an extra-large bath. A separate hotel register notes your pet's name, age and sex. Call (0288-77-0019) for reservations, or consult the Japanese-language book Guide to Japan's Hotel and Vacation Spots for Dogs, published by Friends of Dogs.

Homes From Home

There are over 80 dedicated "pet hotels" in greater Tokyo, plus another 100 pet shops which take temporary guests. Pal (3350-0336) boasts five different locations, while Wild Land (0479-77-1228) is conveniently located only eight minutes from Narita Airport. Our favorite is Yokohama's Asahi Pet (0120-412-28) where animals are served their favorite meals, played with regularly, and treated to relaxing music at night.

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