Year of the Dog: Meet the pups of Niseko

The Chinese Zodiac is an ancient folklore about the Jade Emperor searching for 12 animals to be his heavenly guards. The order of the zodiac was determined by a race arranged by the Emperor by which animal went through the Heavenly Gates first. This Lunar New Year, we celebrate the Year of the Dog, and what better way to start it off then to get to know some of our local celebrities?

ROUNDTABLE CHAT WITH 15 OF NISEKO'S PUP-RESIDENTS
 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TREAT/FOOD?
Ryder: Locally-produced sweet potato and bacon from Homac!
Gin: Hokkaido venison jerky.
Lola: I love broccoli!
Mr Winston: Lawsons JFC...shh, don't tell my humans.
Gnocchi & Reggie: Ice cream
Woodley: That Lawson's fox (haha!) Human's food when I'm on a diet
Goose & Buddy: Kebabs from Elvis, King of Kebabs!

WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Winston: My crew: Jazz, Buddy and Marlo. HDC, Hirafu Dog Crew... We do doggie stuff.
Gin: My bunny brother and sister, Puffy and Moppy!
Taro: Whoever brings me food.
Goose: Elvis, because he makes the kebabs!

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT NISEKO?
Everypup: SNOW!
Jazz: The freedom to ruuuuun!
Taira: So many places for puppy playtime.
Eva & Lola: Niseko! So many hiking trails, lakes and rivers.
Mr Winston: Cool locals and friendly visitors - I love meeting people!
Rocky: Snow tastes delicious!
Woodley: The best thing was when they used to let me on the gondola and lap Miharashi at night.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO CHILL/HANG OUT?
Gin: I'm only little, so on the highest snow walls! I want to see everything!
Mr Winston: I'm always at work because I need to be there to keep an eye on things! But after work, I like Mick's wine bar and JamBar, because they let me in!
Rocky: On my chair in the office, so I can see what all my slaves are doing.
Gnocchi & Reggie: On top of the LazyBoy doggie bed.
Eva & Lola: Or by the heater...
Marlo: Same for me! I like the heater.
Woodley: No no, go outside! My favourite is the Hirafu backcountry.
Goose: On the lounge in the reception area of the office. My humans keep saying it's supposed to be for visitors, but we all know it's really for me.

WHAT IS THE MOST ANNOYING THING ABOUT YOUR HUMAN(S)?
Taira: They think socks are to be worn - not to be thrown!
Mr Winston: I know right, I can't understand why they get so mad when I eat socks...
Rocky & Gin: Why can't people put their yummy hands in our mouths?
Gnocchi & Reggie: Too much cuddling!!
Marlo: When they go snowboarding, they leave me at home!
 

ARE YOU A SNOW DOG, OR A SUN DOG?
Almost everypup: SNOW!
Ryder & Marlo: Summer is too hot.
Jazz: I love to smash into powder
Woodley: Born and bred in Niseko, snow is in my blood.
Mr Winston: Get deep in the pow...fresh tracks everyday!
Taro: Who doesn't love a powder day!?
Gnocchi & Reggie: We don't! We need a thicket fur coat!
Buddy & Eva: River swims in summer - We love swimming!
Rocky: Don't forget the beach BBQs.
Goose: I'm a bit more of a lounge dog in my old age.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR VISITORS TO DO IN NISEKO?
Buddy: Drop more food on the ground for me?
Woodley: Learn how to park!
Jazz & Mr Winston: Come pat us at Mick's Wine shop!
Gnocchi & Reggie: Volunteer to take us on walks?
Marlo, Rocky & Gin: Snow shoeing with us Niseko snow doggies.
Goose, Mr Winston & Taira: Get out and explore! Enjoy the pow on a backcountry tour and find untouched powder to frolick through.
Eva: Swimming at Lake Toya! Don't forget to visit us in summer!