410 Cat and dog

犬型の人間、猫型の人間、という冗談半分の言い方がありますが、犬のように忠実で人なつこく、集団で生きることを好むとか、猫のように気まぐれで自由でものぐさ（に見える）とか、彼らの種としての特徴や性質を人に当てはめると確かに言い当てた感じはします。実際には個体によって差はあるわけですが、確かに犬は盲導犬や救助犬や警察犬など社会性を帯びた役目を訓練によって担えるのに対して、猫はその高度な身体能力や特性にも関わらず、牧場や空港や軍隊で活躍する猫というのはあまり聞いたことがありません。

一方自分は犬型ですか、猫型ですかと問われると、たいていの人は自分は人間であるけれども敢えていうとどの種に近いのか、などと真剣に考えることなく（当たり前ですが）犬と猫とどちらが好きですか、なれるものならどちらになってみたいですか、という質問とほぼ変わらない答えを返すわけです。あまり深い意味はないのですが、どちらも大変身近な動物だけに、このたぐいの質問はそれなりに人気があります。

では改めてこんな質問ならどうでしょうか。一方はどこまでもタフに早く走れる俊足と優れた持久力を持ち、幅広い視野と動体視力に優れ、また何事もトレースできる鋭い嗅覚を備え、高い知能と学習能力にも秀でる。もう一方は驚異的な柔軟性と跳躍力、瞬発力に富み、また反射神経とバランス感覚を備え、夜間でも不自由しない高い視力に聴覚を備える。犬と猫の身体能力だけを引用してみると、どうも人間がもっともものぐさな動物のような気もしますが、さて、自分はどちらのタイプでしょうか。

Are you a dog-type, or a cat-type?---the question is just a joke thing, but it somewhat describe certain side of humanity well when these characteristics and features of dogs, being loyal, amiable and sociable, or of cats, whim, carefree, and apparently lazy, would apply to natures of human. No doubt it's up to individual, but surely dogs can perform social services such as seeing-eye dog, rescue dog, or police dog through training, while cats never become famous for working at ranch, at airport, or in the army even though they enjoy their excellent physical abilities and features.

But when you're asked "which type do you think you are, dog or cat?" no doubt you never think seriously like "while I am a human being, to which species I could be possibly closer?" You will just flatly answer to the question as if you're asked "which do you prefer?" or "which do you like to become?". Whatever it doesn't mean much, but these questions is popular since both cats and dogs are so familiar to us.

So, what do you think these question; Are you a dog-type or cat-type--- one with power and swift foot that enables you to run to anywhere untiringly, broad sight and dynamic vision, keen nose that can chase everything you want, and high intelligence as well as splendid learning ability. And the other with surprising flexibility, jumping ability and agility, fine reflexes and superior sense of balance, strong sight working even in nighttime as well as hearing ability. If we look at only their physical abilities it makes us feel shame that we human being seems to be the laziest creature compared to them.  Which type do you think you are?

409 Snowy

Hey! What's going on up there? The capital has been covered with record-breaking snow. The city can hardly be prepared for such heavy snow and people are terrified, annoyed, excited, or pleased. I'm no doubt the latter one because this is a huge change of the everyday sight into an extraordinary yet the most familiar scenery in my life. This level of snow-falling should be a common experience in northern city where I grew up.   

And more than anything, snowy city is incredibly bright and beautiful, if one doesn't hesitate to go out in cold and appreciate it. Though hoping this chilly gift would not cause lots of trouble any more, I just can't help thinking about "let it snow". 

408 The most pleasant grateful goodbye

多くの場合、医師にかかるときにはまず治療を受けられることに感謝を思うものですが、さらに幸いにして治療が順調に進み、医師からもう診察に来なくてもよいと言われたときの格別の感謝と嬉しさは、最初の気持ちをはるかに超えるものです。それほど重大なものでなくて、長期間ではなくても、たとえ花粉症だとか親知らずを抜くだとかの話であっても同じことです。患者にとっては医師の能力への感謝は当然のことながら、それと同時に医師を信頼し、その指示に従い治療に専念することはそれなりにエネルギーを要することで、それゆえ治療の終了というのは患者自身の努力の成果でもあるわけです。人生においておよそ様々な「別れ」がある中で、これはもっとも感謝に満ちて喜ばしい「別れ」と言えるでしょう。

In many cases we first appreciate that we could take medical care when we need it, and if fortunately the remedy goes so well that your doctor tells you that you've got better enough so don't have to come again, the unlimited gratitude and joy would be much far stronger and beyond description. Even though the problem is not so grave nor long-term, like fay fever or wisdom teeth, it's no different. As a patient it's not only natural to feel thankful to benefit from doctor's ability but also the completion of the treatment means an achievement made by his/her own effort, since it takes quite an energy for the patients to trust the doctor and keep striving for treat themselves according to the doctor's direction. Among so many farewells in our life this is probably the most grateful and pleasant one.