Fukasawa fashionistas

I've talked about this before but I can't resist mentioning it again, particularly with the heat bringing out all kinds of weird and wonderful Japanese madness.  It seems that clothing for dogs, is the norm, particularly in Fukasawa, where we live.  In fact there are more dog shops, and beauty salons here for dogs than for humans.  The other morning, at around 9am, a lady walked past the house with a spaniel wearing a neck tie, striped t shirt and white Y fronts.  

It seems that here, ladies choose lap dogs over children - much easier perhaps, especially when they fit into your handbag.  Alternatively you can buy a push chair specially designed for your pooch, and pet strollers are as readily available as prams.  Groups of women sit having coffee with poodles on their laps, wearing cardigans and baseball caps.  I cannot imagine the conversation, or, more importantly, how this became normal.