Going To The Dogs
By Kassia Krozser December 10, 2005
Birth rates in Japan might be declining, but dog ownership is rising. While Planet Tokyo maintains a feline-only environment, we can appreciate the benefits of dogs: they're easier to attach to a leash and take to the park. And for the childless, dogs fill a powerful void.
I am not sure what it is like in your country recently, but here in Japan, dog culture has become big. Some people are spending over 1,000,000. yen a month on their dog, for everything from dog hairstylists to dog massages to even dog pedicures. The owners have gone crazy for their dogs, and compete between owners who can spoil their dog most. I have seen dogs eating at nice restaurants sitting on the table while the owner feeds them a steak they ordered for them. Even at Starbucks they have dog bowls available and they pour the dog milk to drink, while the owner feeds them butter croissant.
Okay, probably a butter croissant is a bad idea. A fat dog is an unhappy dog. There are better ways to spoil your dog. For example, a stay in a nice hotel. While not limited to dogs, a new hotel at Narita airport offers all the comforts of home -- plus room service. While their owners travel around the world, their pets spend time in well-appointed rooms. Onsite grooming and vet care is available, and staff are on call for late night walks. High-class treatment for dogs isn't limited to specialized hotels; pet owners who visit Tokyo Disneyland can leave their dogs in the care of the Pet Club.
Even cars are being geared toward the dog world. Where American dogs are happiest hanging their heads out of cars or joy-riding in the backs of pickups, Japanese dogs are enjoying automotive features designed especially for their comfort. Really. Gone are the days when the dog had to ride in the backseat like everyone else.
"We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog, but it turned out to be a gentler vehicle for the elderly, children and other family members," said Honda designer Katsuhito Nakamura.
Finally, ardent news-watchers have surely seen video of the infamous "Panda Dog". Only a canine would sit still for a dye job -- you'd never catch a cat sitting under a blow dryer!
- Taking the dog for a walk takes on a whole new meaning in Japan. (Note: also a great resource for seriously cool watches)
- Tokyo Gets Five-star Hotel for Pampered Pets: Japanese pet owners can now embark on their foreign travels safe in the knowledge that their pampered pooches and moggies will be living in the lap of luxury at a five-star "pet hotel" that opens today at Tokyo's Narita airport.
- Honda showing vehicle designed for dogs at Tokyo auto show
- Panda or Pooch?