Barking Blondes: Furkids and the Pope
The Pope was quoted this week warning couples, who choose not to have children, that they may be heading for an old age blighted by the “bitterness of loneliness”.
The two of us originally met while filming a documentary for the BBC about Furkids. The term had just entered the dictionary and was described as – “pets that have taken on the role of a surrogate child.”
In Britain it now seems that more and more couples are testing the waters of parenthood by taking on a dog first. In fact over 40 per cemt of couples admit that “practising” for parenthood’ with a dog is a good idea. There are parallels. Dogs, like children, are a huge commitment. As with a child they need regular, consistent care: training, healthcare, and more.
Its been reported that in Japan there’s been a puppy boom and a drop in population. The smaller pooch is the preferred choice fitting into the country’s ‘bonsai’ accommodation. Japan has become a pet superpower, with pets already outnumbering the human population by 22 million to 16.6 million.
The Japanese choice to take on a furkid (rather than start a family) is a socio-economic issue. It’s more financially viable to own a dog than plan for a family. Plus women who have children find it harder to obtain work in Japan than those that don’t, another negative impact on the pro-children decision, particularly in times of austerity. There is huge concern in Japan that if this trend continues the population will fall from 128 million to only 43 million within the next few decades.
Meanwhile the ‘Hound Pound’ in Japan is worth a staggering $10billion, with young people preferring to pamper their pooch with designer clothes, doggy spas and luxuries rather than spend on themselves – or indeed on a baby. Pets are boosting the economy whilst depleting the nation’s workforce at the same time!
It’s interesting that Japan is mainly Buddhist and their opinion on owning a dog over starting a family differs from the Catholic Church’s view – that marriage without children, is infertile, or barren.
Where does human choice come into this debate? Many women in today’s modern world choose not to give birth. This may be for career reasons or simply for personal choice. For a few it may come from a concern for the future of the planet with global warming threatening to change our landscape permanently. Could Japan’s preference over the dog be heralded in the future as way to manage climate change?
As childless women of indeterminate age, the two of us believe that our carbon footprint is far smaller than those who have children. What’s indisputable is this – owning a dog brings you a companionship and an unconditional love that the human condition lacks.
We and other childless women might find ourselves sad and lonely in old age however we see it differently. With a dog by your side you are never alone.
Finally, there is often nothing lonelier than a room full of people .
Barking Blondes by Jo Good & Anna Webb, published by Hamlyn, £12.99www.octopusbooks.co.uk
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