Photographs from a small group of islands
It’s not in any way unusual for dogs in Japan to be treated like kids, all the way from the wearing of kimonos, to being carted or even carried about.
But arguably all of that pales into insignificance when these two studious looking canines are taken into consideration.
Their meticulously made school uniforms, along with head and eye wear, making them a real marvel.
And surely, although I shouldn’t really say it, unsurpassable.
Sod free hugs, let’s get hitched.
What the deal is with these cats I don’t know, but with their fancy fashion and plainly un-feral appearance, it certainly seems like they are well looked after.
Aside, that is, from being left perched on a Ginza road sign where they are photographed and fawned over for hours at a time.
Although to be fair, they didn’t seem unduly concerned, and, in some ways, appeared almost as curious as those taking their pictures.
A mummy?
A mannequin?
Or merely a mannequin masquerading as a mummy?
A few weeks or so ago I posted a picture of the old and traditional tofu shop below. An image that had me waffling on for a little while about chain stores and the plight of small, independent places.
And yet despite taking the picture, doing some post-processing work and then reviewing the whole thing prior to publishing it, I never once noticed the ghostly apparition in the top window panel until a reader recently pointed it out. A sight that if not quite screaming to be heard, is, now I know it’s there, quite literally screaming to be seen.
For the vast number of Japanese dogs, especially those of a diminutive nature, being pampered is commonplace — compulsory even; a practice that sees canines carried, carted about and even coloured, as well as being cooed over and constantly surrounded by cacophonous cries of Kawaii!
And yet that said, there are exceptions. Like this poor little fella for example.
As, not only is he equipped with his own backpack for carrying the essentials that no discerning dog would be seen without, such as a ball and a bone maybe, but he also has to stand guard, mind-numbingly watching over his masters while they sleep.
A situation that he clearly wasn’t pleased about, and one that definitely doesn’t beat dashing about after that ball that he actually took the trouble of taking in the first place.
