Dogs Are Rapidly Replacing Children in Japan

Dogs are rapidly replacing children -- loved, pampered, spoiled -- in the lives of an increasing number of Japanese who opt out of having kids. 

A Tokyo eye surgeon whose two dogs have their own bedroom and sport jeweled sunglasses, chic shoes, and designer clothes -- Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Gucci -- is typical, according to the Guardian. 

English Bulldog puppy in glasses by Shutterstock.com

In Tokyo, "a poodle pullover can cost $250 or more. In many parts of Tokyo, it is easier to buy clothes for dogs than for children," the Guardian reports. Boutiques sell items including frou-frou frocks and designer jeans, and doggie diapers are big sellers as well. Japan's pet industry includes doggie hot-springs resorts, doggie yoga classes, and restaurants where dogs dine on organic meals.

The Guardian reports that Japan is now home to "many more pets than children. While the birthrate has been falling dramatically ... Japan has become a pet superpower. Official estimates put the pet population at 22 million or more, but there are only 16.6 million children under 15."

Japan's plummeting birthrate of only 1.39 children per woman is worrying many social critics in that country. Some warn that it presages lonely lives for seniors in a nation where the elderly have always -- until now -- been lovingly cared for in the homes of their own children and grandchildren. It also marks a sharp cultural change in a country that has traditionally cherished children, with several holidays throughout the year -- Boys' Day, Girls' Day, 3-5-7 Day -- designated to celebrate children and childhood. 

"It's good to have a dog if you don't have a baby, because it is quite fun to take care of him like a baby," a Dachshund owner in Tokyo told the Guardian. "In Japanese society, it's really hard for women to have a baby and keep a job ... so my girlfriend decided against having a baby, and that's why we have a dog instead."

Family-planning researcher Kunio Kitamara attributes his country's low birthrate to "less sex." According to the Guardian, Kitamara found that 32 percent of young men have come to dislike sex out of fear of rejection, and that 70 percent of unmarried women don't have boyfriends. 

Blewer Terrier in a toy car by Shutterstock.com

Fancy buggies are another hot item as owners want to save their precious pets the trouble of actually walking. 

At doggie hot-springs resorts, $100 buys a swimming lesson, bubble bath, aromatherapy massage, deep-pore cleansing, mud-packs, and more -- for a dog. The same price also buys a night in one of Tokyo's dog hotels, which bear no resemblance to kennels. 

When life ends, Japan has temples where, for about $8,000, dead dogs are cremated with full Buddhist rites.

A monk at a temple near Tokyo told the Guardian. that he sees people grieving more for deceased pets than family members.

Creepy -- or not? Love is love. But that Dachshund won't be around to feed his owner 40 years from now.

Source: The Guardian

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Uplifting Update on Japan Pets Trapped in “No-Go” Zone!

Thousands of dogs and other animals will be reunited with their people, thanks to the tremendous efforts of JEARS

Monday morning we brought you the tragic story of the 5,000 to 10,000 domestic animals left to perish in the exclusion zone surrounding the Fukushima nuclear reactor. Today we have great news: People are being let back in to this area starting today, and they will be allowed to rescue their dogs, cats, and other animals.

What a difference a day makes.

You can read more about this great news on the Facebook page of Japan Animal Earthquake Rescue and Support, the group that was behind making fantastic turn of events happen.

This is a ray of sunshine in a land that has been overwhelmed by one tragedy after another since March 11. If we find footage of pets and their people being reunited after weeks apart, we’ll bring it to you on the dog blog.

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Japan Dog Rescued After Three Weeks in Floating House

A dog who survived the massive earthquake and tsunami of March 11 and, also three weeks at sea, is rescued by Japan Coast Guard members (Photo: Reuters/Japan Coast Guard Handout)

With all the terrible news that keeps pouring out of Japan, here’s one that puts some hope in what seems so hopeless. The Japan Coast Guard has rescued a dog who had been at sea in a sinking house for three weeks after surviving the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Coast Guard rescuers were flying over debris when they spotted a brown dog trotting around the roof of a house — all that was left of the house above water. The dog then disappeared into the house through a hole in the roof. Thinking there may be human survivors, one rescuer was lowered to the house. He tried to coax the dog out, but couldn’t, so he went in after the dog. He came back out with the dog in his arms and the two went back to land via boat. (No people were found inside.)

How did this dog manage? What must the dog have been thinking during this strange and frightening situation? How long before the house went under? It’s an amazing story, and one that could easily be retold in a children’s book or even a movie one day. The happiest ending will be if the dog’s people are alive and they are reunited and can start life over again, together… I’ll try to keep you updated if anything like this happens.

Happy ending update, 10 a.m. April 4: The dog’s owners have been found! They are scheduled to be reunited with her today. Check out the updated CNN story here. More later (I am enroute from Rome to Athens, so it might be a little while.) Thank you to the Dogsters who sniffed out the updates!

(Source: Reuters)

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Rescued Japan Tsunami Dog Has Joyful Reuninion With Owner

The dog, Ban, with a Japan Coast Guard rescuer before she was reunited with her joyful owner (Photo: AFP/Getty)

This is the very happy ending we were all hoping for after yesterday’s story of the dog who floated at sea in a sinking house for three weeks after Japan’s twin disasters. Her owner saw a report about the dog on TV and immediately knew it was her 2-year-old dog, Ban. She went to the animal care center Monday to claim her for a joyful reunion.

“I am happy that she seems healthy. I want to cherish her when I take her back,” she said as a wagging Ban licked her masked face.

Check it out below. (You’ll also see some pretty cool footage of the dog’s rescue by the Japan Coast Guard.)

Editor’s Note: Whoops, the wrong video was showing up here a little while ago. The right one should be up now!

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