Three Legs Are Better Than One

This pup is the dog-in-residence at Eiko-In, a temple open for overnight home stays at the Zen center of Japan, Koya San. He was, as they say here, genki (jovial, happy and so on...) He took a liking to me and found the scent of my running shoes especially interesting.

The monks house and take care of him, and he does his part, too filling the role of friendly doorman whom accepts remuneration in kibbles.

Located up in the hills of the Kii Peninsula, it is chock full of Buddhist and Zen temples for those seeking enlightenment, or burial in the famous cemetery near a cool spot called the Hall of 1000 Lanterns.

I started to count them, and there are lots, though in modern times electric bulbs have replaced candles. It was good fun playing with such a cool dog, especially since it was snow. Snow makes everything better.