Michi, the Dog of the Camino

In May 2019, Kimiko Uchii and Tamanno Hayashi were walking the Camino Francés. When they reached Portomarín, they were approached by an emaciated, exhausted Catalan sheepdog, begging for something to eat. It was the first time they had seen him, and the two women didn't think twice about helping him. The following day, their new furry friend set off on the road with them.

By the time they reached Palas de Rei, they were fairly concerned about the dog. They had spoken to dozens of people, both locals and pilgrims, and were beginning to realize the sheer scale of neglect in the dog.

Their persistence meant that the Palas de Rei council soon heard about the dog, who sent some officials to where the women were, to take the dog away. Fortunately for the dog, the women were so concerned that they posted their story on social media, making contact with APACA, the Association for the Protection of Animals on the Camino, who went to collect him.

Unfortunately, as is the case with so many of the local councils along the Camino Francés, the local authority did not have any sort of animal rescue or protection service for stray animals, and were not able to care for the dog appropriately.

Michi means Way in Japanese. Kimiko, Tamano and APACA chose this name for the dog, who became the animal charity's most famous case. Other furry friends rescued by pilgrims have been called Way, Camí, and Camino, in reference to the place where they were found.

Michi remained in the care of APACA for six months, during which time arrangements were made for him to be taken to Japan. It quickly became clear that Michi was an extraordinary dog: clever (and not just for approaching Kimiko and Tamano on that first day), protective, powerful, lively, and enormously adaptable.

While he was at APACA, he captured the hearts of staff, volunteers, pilgrims, journalists, local residents, visitors, and, of course, his four-legged kennel mates: Way, Camí, Silver, and Yi.

His story was picked up by local and national papers and television channels in Galicia and Spain, and he even got a mention on NHK (Japanese TV).

He also appeared in the Facebook documentary about Galicia, Estación Central (Central Station).

Individuals such as Megumi Shiozawa of the Casa Galicia Japón, an association set up to promote links between Galicia and Japan, helped make the arrangements for Michi's journey to Japan (Megumi sadly passed away; Arigatōgozaimashita Megumi).

At last, on December 24, after extensive planning and coordination between Japan and Galicia, Kimiko, Tamano, and their friend, Kiroko, went to collect Michi in an emotional reunion that was reported in the media.

Everyone involved with APACA (both two-legged and four-legged) who had lived with Michi over a period of several months, spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the women. This was to allow them to get used to one another again, and to make the adoption process and the change that the dog was about to experience as smooth as possible. Casa Pontesarela, in Santiago de Compostela, let them stay in their dog-friendly accommodation free of charge.

Fortunately, it all went well and Michi arrived at his new home in Osaka on January 2. There, he was greeted by Haruyo and Soshichi, Kimiko's parents, who had been supportive of the adoption from the beginning. They welcomed him into their home in a small village in Osaka.

Every year, around 2,000 canine pilgrims come to the Camino, along with their humans. The local authorities along the Camino Francés alone care for 50,000 dogs, most of them either permanently tied up or shut away indoors. Several thousand dogs turn up every year, lost or abandoned, on all of the routes of the Camino. Very few of these have the same sort of happy ending that Michi had.

The real-life Christmas story of Michi, APACA and his two rescuers ended well and, more than a year later, we continue to receive videos and updates about our beloved companion. We have been shown the most beautiful places in Japan from Michi's trips and doggy pilgrimages along the Kumano Kodo, a well-known network of pilgrimage routes in Japan.

1. Check whether it is wearing an identification tag with a telephone number on it.
2. Ask around the local area: many dogs have homes but are allowed to roam free.
3. Call the local police (092) or the local council (010); both have the authority to intervene in such cases.
4. You can also call APACA, who will provide help and advice. Send them a picture and the dog's location. This will help them to help you, and to spread the word.
5. If you want, you could also take the dog to a vet clinic to see whether it has been chipped.

1. Don't move it. If necessary, provide it with some shade or protection from rain or cold weather.
2. Don't feed it. Only give water if it is safe to do so.
3. Call 112 and give them your location.
4. Contact any animal protection charity or animal shelter, such as APACA.
5. While you wait for help to arrive, stay calm, don't pressure the animal and, if the animal is wild, keep your distance.