Canine and cats had been blessed on Tuesday in Japan throughout the celebration of Shichi-Go-Sa, a practice the place dad and mom take their youngsters to a temple at three, 5, and 7 years of age to want for a vivid future.
The pattern of blessing canines as an alternative of kids is catching on amongst pet homeowners because the nation faces a declining beginning charge. “The variety of youngsters is lowering every year, and consequently, increasingly persons are pouring their love into their canines and cats,” stated priest Yoshinori Hiraga.
“We have a good time Shichi-Go-San for human youngsters in November. For me, that is my youngster, so I made a decision to return right here (to wish) similtaneously youngsters’s Shichi-Go-San being celebrated,” the 47-year-old Mamiko Yamaura, proprietor of a three-year-old Shiba Inu canine, stated.
The canine homeowners walked to the Inuneko Jinja, a small shrine devoted to canines, cats and all pets within the metropolis of Zama. There, they prayed and obtained blessings from a priest. For a lot of pet homeowners, their pets are an vital a part of their household.
“They’re essential to me, like my very own youngsters. At present is the date of Shichi-Go-San, so I got here right here to wish that they are going to have a secure and wholesome life with us collectively,” the 53-year-old Masayo Tashiro stated.
“There aren’t many shrines that welcome pets and permit them to stroll inside, so I believe it could be nice to see extra locations like this,” stated Aoki Natsuki, who took her two three-year-old Chihuahua on a airplane trip to get blessed.
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