[Essay] Can you believe this happened? Things I remember at this time of year

Since yesterday, Okinawa has been in the Obon season

On these days spent welcoming our ancestors, I have an
unforgettable Obon memory

Nine years ago, my three children (a 2-year-old and 1-year-old twins) had fallen asleep in the car on the way home from my parents' house, so when we arrived,

I left the car's sliding door open while my husband and I moved the children and our luggage. It must have happened during that time, but...

something snuck into the car through the open door



and I didn't realize it until...

13 hours later.

The moment I got into the car the next day to head out, I saw brown fur everywhere. Huh? Something smells, haha.

What on earth!? I panicked for a second! I opened all the car windows and doors and stepped outside.

Then, I discovered a dog! 🐕 It noticed me, saw a split-second opening, jumped out, and dashed away. What surprised me most was that it wasn't a puppy, but a decent-sized dog.

My husband, standing there frozen with the twins in his arms, said his first words:

It's huge!

Still, I'm amazed it survived in a closed car with no food or water.

Fortunately, it had been raining since the night before and it was cloudy that day, so I think that's why the car didn't get too hot.

By the way, it did pee, but thankfully it didn't poop, haha.

Has this ever happened to you? When you leave your car door open and step away for just a moment. Please be careful that nothing has snuck inside when you do!

I created a visual of the situation at the time on Canva below.