After God created man
Seeing him so feeble
He gave man the dog
Zoologist Alphonse Toussenel
Hakodate City
Me and my dog Socks
grew up in this city
I spent 10 years with her
This is our story
10 Promises to My Dog
This is me ten years ago
Look that way!
You're hopelessly obedient
Look this way
Come here!
Good boy
He's so cute!
What?
Don't you like dogs, Hoshi?
I mustn't hurt my fingers
Mom said so
You're going to be a guitarist
I'm very sorry
He's never run up
to a stranger before
Here
Thank you
Let's go
How nice
Shall we eat?
Your father will be late
Again?
His patients are
more important than me
Let's start, then
Well okay
Sit down
Looks great
Here, let me help you
Thank you, mom
Happy birthday!
No candles?
Your father's bringing them
I'll run to the store
I'll go, too
Let's go together
Evening
Welcome
Found them?
Let's go
Here
That'll be 295 yen
No bags?
Right
- Here you go -OK
Happy?
A birthday?
Akari's
Oh, congratulations
Thank you
Let's go
What time is it?
10:10
What? That late?
I won't make it
I'm back
Welcome home
No need for them now?
I shouldn't have asked you
Akari's asleep, huh?
Was she angry?
A little
Can't blame her
Can't you spend
more time with her?
Believe me, I feel bad
for leaving it all to you
I'm not scolding you
However
My career is critical now
Akari wants a dog
To replace me?
She's our only child
pretty lonely
I'm home!
Mom?
A dog?
Here puppy
Bark
Come on
Come here
Wait! Come back!
Puppy
There you are
Where're you going?
That's funny
Wait up!
Hello?
Akari?
Dad?
Your mother's in the hospital
She fainted at home
She was brought here
Nothing to worry about
But she'll be here for a few days
I'll be right there
She's asleep now
You'd better come tomorrow
How about you?
I'll be there soon
Hurry home
Sorry, I woke you
What do I have?
It's bad, isn't it?
No, it isn't
I know you are lying
You're pulling your hair
It may take some time,
But you'll get better
Did you eat?
How's mom?
Don't worry
She'll be fine
Really?
Really
Look that way!
Stop that
How do you feel?
Much better
There was a puppy in our yard
And then?
But it ran away
Oh
Too bad
I wish it stayed
Let's get one at the pet shop
I want that puppy
There're things at home
You must remember
lt's freezing now
Sweep the sewer
so it doesn't freeze
When are you coming home?
Summer maybe
That far off?
The doctor said that...
I should rest
Medicine with Heart
Come in
You called for me?
Oh, Dr Saito
Take a seat
I talked with your wife
about her condition
I knew it's hard for you
She is your wife
My Wife?
She's not a strong person
You've a big operation today
Representative Fukushima
came all the way from Tokyo
He's counting on you
Hey
How long you been there?
Just a second
What're you playing?
Pachelbel's Canon
It's pretty
Want to hear more?
Sit down
You play stuff like this?
No way
How about singing?
I know classic music only
You ever feel like singing?
No
Next time, sing
I can't
Singing in that place
It'd ruin my concentration
Plus, I'm not allowed to
Who says?
My dad and mom
You sure are obedient
Look that way!
How obedient!
What if I sing
and you accompany?
If you're lost you can look
And you will find me
Time after time
Classical is all I know
Why sing in English?
My mom loves this song,
She sang to me often
If you're lost you can look
And you will find me
As for the weather...
How is it?
Delicious!
I should learn to cook
Just buy them
I've got a conference
Will you be okay?
I'm used to it now
But isn't Mom lonely?
She seems used to it, too
Whenever I visit mom, she'd
ask me to stay 10 more minutes
She does, huh?
Akari?
What's in the yard?
Don't scare me
Here puppy!
Come on
Puppy
Don't run away
Come here
Wait!
Get back here!
Come on! Don't run away!
Wait!
Wait, Akari
- Don't run -Where are you going?
It's in the house!
Bring it out.
Get rid of it
Puppy!
Get it out
Puppy
Hey doggy!
You scared of dogs, Dad?
Blood pressure is stable
Here I am
Morning
You look happy What's up?
I'm keeping her
Really?
Is that okay?
I'll convince your father
He's afraid of dogs
What'd we call her?
Judging by her markings,
how about Socks?
That's perfect!
Now you've got a name
Socks
Akari?
If you want to keep her
you must know the "10 Promises"
Promises between you two
Ten Promises
Can't keep her if you don't
Mom wants you to...
always remember them
Like what?
Think like a dog
I'll speak for her
Listen patiently to
what I have to say
Okay
Trust me
I am always on your side
Really?
Play with me a lot
Don't forget that
I have feelings, too
Let's never fight
someday I'll win
We'll see about that
If I don't obey you,
I have a good reason
You have school,
and friends
But as for me
I only have you
Only me?
That's right
You're her whole world
Stay my best friend
even when I'm old
I'll live for about 10 years
Is that true?
So
let's make every moment count
In ten years,
I'll be 24
A long time from now
That's 9 promises
And the last one
never forget our time together
Keep this in your mind
So when my time comes,
please be by my side
Don't talk like that
Mom came home early
If you're lost you can look
And you will find me
Time after time
If you're lost you can look
And you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you
I'll be waiting
Time after time
What do the lyrics mean?
It's about a broken heart
But my favorite part is
If you're lost
you can look
And you will find me
I love this part
You will, huh?
Socks, too
You sure?
Certainly
Put this on Socks
How cute!
It's got our phone number
If Socks ever gets lost,
go find her, okay?
I will
Come here!
Come here, Socks
Wait, not so fast!
I smell your scent, Mom
That's so you know
I'm never far away
right?
You're like the wind
Right
Time for a photo, come
Okay!
Socks
Oh, hello
Hello
Excuse me
Can you take our picture?
Okay
Just press this
Okay
Strike a pose, Socks
Ready?
Say "cheese"!
Good
Socks
Hold still
Socks
You are so nice
Well? Can you hear now?
I could always hear you
you never listen to me
Good
Socks
look! Cherry blossoms!
Some doctor I am
Being with you everyday,
but never noticed you were sick
I can't hear you
Socks
You're such a girl!
Looks good on you
Look after Akari, okay?
Socks
It's itching
Nice girl
Come here, hurry
Mom was hospitalized again
She never came back
Breakfast's ready, Akari
Not hungry
You need your energy
You're in bed for 2 days
what should I do?
Morning
What's wrong?
My neck
Sasaki
Present!
Sakuragi
present!
Fukuhara
Present
It's from lying in bed
on her stomach for so long
ls it serious?
Oh, her spine's all right
Nice girl, Socks
lt's her state of mind
that'll take time to heal
Socks
You too have no mother?
But you've got me
Right?
She's grown
How do you know?
Your mother said
you wanted a dog
So I gave her a puppy
I didn't know
Want to see your mom?
Let's go!
Socks
Police said...
Several violent incidents...
occured at Oda Park
Morning exercisers and...
late night pedestrians...
were mugged or attacked
Locals are afraid...
to walk in the park
at the moment...
the police are stepping in
The police are urging...
anyone who witnessed them...
to report as soon as possible
As for the weather forcast...
Dad?
This is soy sauce!
Not good at housekeeping, Dad?
Because...
your mom did everything
Socks
Don't worry
Go ahead and pet her
See?
She won't bite you
No, Socks!
You feel like playing?
Socks
Look that way!
Not easily fooled
can't move my neck, can't play
Look that way!
Hey! I'm fixed!
It's great
So great
Socks
I'm home
Look, Dad!
Socks cured me
Even I couldn't do it
A rainbow
lsn't it pretty, Socks?
Wow, amazing
So pretty
Miss OKADA
Can I see Yoshida's chart?
Mr Yoshida, Mr Yoshida
Here it is
Thanks
Doctor
Your hair's worse than usual
I need a maid
Don't worry, you'll survive
But
I've never done house work
I don't know how I'm
going to raise a daughter
I lost my mom
in junior high
me, my dad and my brother
Really?
We couldn't do anything
But we managed
The house was a mess,
we ate take-out food
No one could iron
But we're all alive
It's okay
ls she cheering me up?
Stop that!
Yuichi...
Dr. Saito!
Congratulations, Dr. Saito
You all knew?
Yeah
You must do well
It's a very coveted post
You defeated a bunch of...
of competitors
- Right? - Yes
Look
It starts with
finding a sick animal
that requires a keen eye
Meanwhile
Here's the zoo vet,
- Dr Nakano -Yes
It seems like a tough job
Dr Nakano
In your experience,
what's most interesting
about veterinary work?
Working with animals
is a strange experience
animals are like people
For instance...
understanding how animals feel
can often lead to
understanding of human emotions
This is very interesting
Welcome home
Sit
Yes
I've something to tell you
They are transferring me
Where?
Um, well
Sapporo
I have to change schools?
I'm sorry
And
I'll be looking for a place
Until then,
we'll be living in a dormitory
And?
And so
we can't take her
No pets allowed
I'm sorry
I'll find her a new master
Socks
Will you be okay without me?
How can I live without you?
I'll come visit
What're you writing?
My new phone number
Take care of Socks
I'll come for you soon
Time to go
Doors will be closing...
Saito residence
Akari
lt's me, Dad
You'll be late again?
A welcoming party for me
Enjoy, Dr. Saito
Ready, Assistant Professor?
Yeah
We'll sing tonight!
Socks
Can't sleep?
I'll stay with you
until you do
Well? Nice tune, huh?
Don't like it?
How about this one?
It's the song of Akari's mom
He's playing pop music
I'll talk to him
No need
I'll go
No popular music
Work your fundamentals
Son, congratulations
For what?
You've been accepted
to a music school in Paris
Sure?
Take a look
Work hard
How cute!
Hello
Come
Let's go
Bye bye
Socks
Are you well?
Really?
Socks, I'm so bored
Two Months Later
Sapporo Medical University
I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow
Tomorrow?
I'm home
It's nice to be home
Dad!
You're wearing a dress
Akari Saito
Hoshi's going to Paris
He's studying abroad, huh?
I promised
to see him off
Okay! I'm off tomorrow
I'll give you a ride
Really?
Dr. Saito?
I'm so glad
I caught you
Well
I need to ask a favor
I'm afraid I can't help
Please, it's an emergency!
It's Mr. Enoki
I really can't today
Dr. Ichikawa can operate
lmpossible
You know how difficult
Mr. Enoki can be
He asked for you specifically
All right I'll be on my way
No!
I can't refuse over
Akari forgive me
No! I'm seeing Hoshi off
Go ahead
Flight to Tokyo...
is now boarding
JAL flight number 4077
to Tokyo is now boarding
Please go to counter 4
to check-in
here...
It's yours, Hoshi
go on
Hold on a second, Dad
What's it?
Flight to Tokyo is departing
Please board immediately
JAL flight number 4077
to Tokyo is now boarding
Akari, I waited for you
But I had to go
Please proceed to counter
to check in
How's my wife?
She's fine
Oh, what a relief!
Is she really all right?
Dr. Saito's our top surgeon
He gave up his holiday
Everything will be fine
Thank you so much
And
We can talk in my office
Dr. Saito will brief you there
Come, this way
Mr. Dean, Sir
May I speak with you?
Excuse us
You'll worry them
What is it?
This
Resignation
I'm resigning today
What?
I hurt my family over
such a simple operation
Shush, they'll hear you
Anything wrong with my wife?
- Very serious? - Not at all
For Rent
What happen?
Annoying
What happened?
I'm home
I'm sorry, I really am
It's my fault, I'm sorry
Again?
Hello?
Right
Understood, OKay
Akari, we're going
To pick up Socks
Hello?
Coming
I'm Saito You called
Mr Saito?
About a golden retriever?
Oh, the dog!
Yeah
She is here
Socks
Am I glad to see you!
Socks
I noticed the phone number
on the necklace
Indeed
Thank you
Not at all
How I've missed you
Good morning
Morning
Go!
Good morning
Off to work?
Yes
Socks is no pet
She's family
All together again
Socks
Down you go
Socks
Your are great!
I didn't know Dad quit
his job until days later
Your are spirited
Finished
We returned to our old house
Dad started doing housework
scalpel for a kitchen knife
But he's not good at it
After a while
he renovated the place
and opened his own clinic
Come on
okay
Here we go
Join us, Tomo
Okay
Ready?
I've finished explaining
Now turn to Page 2
Seven years passed
I entered veterinary school
Jiro
Let me kiss you
We mentioned this
Dad became much better
With his surgeon's hands
he's dexterous
Taste was another matter
he could cook like a pro now
Akari
Done
There's a blossom on your nose
Wait for me
Socks was her usual self
Jiro, look at you!
Come over here
Don't make me laugh!
Look, did you see
You're so stylish!
Look, Socks! How cute!