The email came out of the blue. A TV company wanted to interview me and ask about Hana’s exploits. A flurry of emails was exchanged.
It was an exciting thought. Footage of the dog bounding across the mountainside. Heart-warming images of one man and his dog.
But between filming and the screen, strange things happen. The media thrive on mankind’s lowest common denominator, and the production company holds all the cards. They can twist a story viciously.
Edited footage of a gaijin flagrantly violating the manners of “waga-guni” and his dog destroying the fine ecological balance of the country. Joking aside, a sizeable proportion of viewers, for whatever reason, might become rather angry at seeing images of a dog in the mountains. Some would surely make complaints. And in the worst case, a legal ban on dogs, and even legal action against myself, could result. Other dog owners would not be pleased. And all for what?
I wrote an exceedingly polite, reasoned rejection. The TV company did not even have the courtesy to respond.
As I near the end of my own personal challenge, the soothing words of Desiderata seem particularly relevant:
“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.”
Hanameizan 
A brave decision, but probably the right one for the reasons you stated.
I think you were very wise to steer clear of the media for now. Fame – for surely Hana and her master deserve their share – might be better sought by writing a book based on your amusing and informative blog. Then you and not some perfidious production company would control the message. Actually, there is good precedent for such a book – Robert Louis Stephenson’s Travels with a Donkey. You should get yourself a copy: might set you thinking along literary lines…:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travels_with_a_Donkey_in_the_Cévennes
Wise decision, Julian, for all the reasons you stated. But I agree with Captain Interesting; it would make a great and I think popular book.
Thanks very much for the encouraging words, Captain and butuki. Certainly, putting the story in print would allow me to give a balanced account. But given how much I struggle with writing even a simple blog, it would be easier to go and do the hyakumeizan again than attempt to write a book.
Why not just use what you’ve already written here? After all you’ve already written it!