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Sep 30 2011 15 Comments

Taking a dog for a walk, Tokyo style

There have been suggestions in the past that Japan’s falling birth rate and the increase in pets are connected. The growing legion of little dogs, it is said, are more than merely companions, they are child substitutes.

Now how true this is it’s hard to say, but there’s no denying that these pooches are generally pampered way more than your average pet. They are continually cooed over, and clothing is practically compulsory, ranging from colourful winter woolies to rather more stuffy school uniforms. The odd one or two even wear wigs.

And as for walkies, well, that could tire the poor tyke out. Much better for master to take care of that.

Tokyo shrine in Autumn

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [Gm] says

    9/30/2011 at 10:09 am

    Sometimes I wonder what the dog would feel when it meets the other dogs :D…

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/30/2011 at 4:50 pm

      I think they compare clothing labels!

      Reply
  2. James says

    9/30/2011 at 4:59 pm

    Chestburster? Maybe I’ve been here too long but I’m upset that the dog’s shirt does not match the masters. His wife would never let that happen.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/30/2011 at 11:07 pm

      That’s funny! No wonder the dog looks so miserable then. Clearly the shame of such a shocking fashion faux pas.

      Reply
  3. Lizzy says

    9/30/2011 at 9:24 pm

    I love how proud he is of himself!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      9/30/2011 at 11:08 pm

      That’s very true. He really was one of the happiest people I’ve seen.

      Reply
  4. winnie says

    10/1/2011 at 10:09 am

    His smile is priceless!!
    He must be very happy when you took his picture! 🙂
    But the dog seem bored as it’s maybe thinking, ” Oh dear, I am not wearing my best outfit today!”

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/2/2011 at 11:16 am

      He was just generally very happy Winnie. I’d seen him from quite a distance away, and he was sporting that lovely smile the whole time.

      Reply
  5. Jim says

    10/1/2011 at 4:59 pm

    Looks like he performed seppoochieku on himself.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/2/2011 at 11:21 am

      Now that is a pun, although I can’t quite decide whether it’s a good one or just plain terrierable.

      Reply
  6. phil says

    10/3/2011 at 12:15 pm

    Jim’s comment made me paws for thought

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/3/2011 at 4:14 pm

      This has just gone to the dogs…

      Reply
  7. Cedric says

    10/4/2011 at 6:00 pm

    Hey Look! this dog has a human in his backpack 🙂

    Reply
  8. Hans ter Horst says

    10/8/2011 at 4:09 pm

    I’ve seen the people in Tokyo walk with their dogs in prams and seen the shops with the little hats and uniforms for pets. 🙂 However, there is a downside as the number of dogs destroyed is booming as well and that is a pity, as a dog is for life and not until they stop wearing the hat 🙁

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/8/2011 at 10:06 pm

      Yes, I saw a programme a few years ago about the massive number of of dogs that are being put down. In an obvious (and commendable) effort to make people realise just how dire the situation is, they showed footage of a gas chamber they use. A chamber that is filled, emptied and filled again and again — day after day. Truly horrible to watch…

      Reply

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