In sharp contrast to Japan’s far from burgeoning birth rate, the number of miniature dogs continues to mount, with seemingly billions of the unbearable and invariably bug-eyed little beasts everywhere. A fad that unusually for Japan shows no sign of slowing down, and appears to confirm claims that such pets are increasingly seen as child substitutes, which, with the excessive cooing they encourage along with their offensively fancy wardrobes, would seem to be spot on.
Plus, for people who don’t have a kid or a canine, there’s also the option of substituting the substitute with a, erm, substitute.
Or even several substitute substitutes.
KatanaDave says
They are certainly very cute and adorable but not to be considered as child substitutes, definitely not in any way. I love dogs and they surely have a way of taking a spot in my heart but I will never substitute a child for a dog no matter how charming they may be. On a lighter note, these canines are a good sight to behold in Japan and have taken the spotlight more than a few times. Sort of a new tourist attraction maybe? 🙂
Debster says
One of those dogs is a cat 😉
Lee says
Not quite Debster, it’s actually a dog in an incredibly convincing cat costume.
Honest.
John says
Well Japanese men substitute women with dolls, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that some Japanese people substitute dogs with toys. At least she doesn’t have to buy kibble to feed all of them.
lalalemon says
They’re so used to “giso” this, and “giso” that.　Substitutes feel like real thing, I suppose.
Paul says
There’s also a tragic side to this seemingly incessant desire for smaller and cuter canines…
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/28/business/28dogs.html
Megane~kun says
Actually there are 3 dogs in a cat costume in that photo. Though, how the guy managed to keep them still like is nothing short of an outstanding achievement.
I wonder if the photographer bribed them with an ill-fitting Santa Costume? Either that or a threat to be substituted with children.