Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

World's oldest dog dies in Japan at age 26

National Dec. 08, 2011 - 02:22PM JST ( 25 )

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25 Comments

5

MaboDofuIsSpicyDec. 08, 2011 - 02:56PM JST

RIP little doggy.
0

cactusJackDec. 08, 2011 - 03:12PM JST

I didn't know Snoop was only 26.
2

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 03:31PM JST

Beat our little mongrel bitch by seven years. Well done, Pusuke. RIP.
-6

FrungyDec. 08, 2011 - 03:43PM JST

The poor little dog. He should have been mercifully put down rather than being allowed to suffer simply to net his owner another couple of days on the "oldest dog" title.
0

GWDec. 08, 2011 - 03:44PM JST

That is one heck of a run!
10

T_rexmaxytimeDec. 08, 2011 - 04:04PM JST

Even dogs lives the longest in Japan!? What the....
8

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 04:04PM JST

Frungy, who says he suffered? The article says the dog 'suddenly' fell ill, suggesting that he was in good health until just before he died.
0

some14someDec. 08, 2011 - 04:10PM JST

...and how old is the owner?
2

yaneeDec. 08, 2011 - 04:29PM JST

Poor little puppy! Rest in Peace little one!
-1

techallDec. 08, 2011 - 04:42PM JST

Japan owns so many "guiness world records". Although I believe this dog was in fact very old, the guiness record means nothing to me. you have to contact the Guiness people and apply for records which most people never bother with.
4

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 05:25PM JST

.and how old is the owner?

Forty-two. Born while Shinohara was still in high school, in his puppy years Pusuke slept with his owner every day. He survived three run-ins with vehicles and was loved by neighbors. On the afternoon of Dec. 5, Pusuke waited for Shinohara to return from an outing before he passed away while having his head rubbed. "Thank you for the memories," Shinohara said.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111207p2a00m0na002000c.html There's a picture, too. Looks like a well-loved dog.
-9

FrungyDec. 08, 2011 - 05:31PM JST

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 04:04PM JST Frungy, who says he suffered? The article says the dog 'suddenly' fell ill, suggesting that he was in good health until just before he died.

He was refusing to eat. That suggests that there was enough time for this to be more than simply skipping a single meal (common in older dogs), but rather at least a day or so. I've got a lot of experience with dogs and most dogs suffer a lot of problems when they get old, and a lot of pain. Any owner who's sentiment was, "Thank you for staying alive" rather than, "I'm glad he had such a long happy life" is missing the point.
5

Elbuda MexicanoDec. 08, 2011 - 05:35PM JST

Now if the world can show this much love for a dog, can we try and start to show mercy for children too?
9

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 05:43PM JST

Any owner who's sentiment was, "Thank you for staying alive" rather than, "I'm glad he had such a long happy life" is missing the point.

With respect, so is anyone who takes JT English quotes at face value. The original quote from the owner was 「とても悲しい。今まで元気で長生きしてくれてありがとうと言いたい」(I'm so sad. I want to say thank you for living a long and healthy life). The local Shimotsuke newspaper goes on to comment, 突然の別れに肩を落としている。(She looked devastated at the sudden parting).

You aren't seriously suggesting that any dog who goes off its food for a day or so should be immediately put down? I also have a lot of experience with dogs (I mentioned earlier one lived to be nearly 19) and like people of course they have problems as they grow older. There is no suggestion that Pusuke suffered a lot of (or even any) pain, the photos show him to be well-groomed and well-cared for. Old age in itself is not an automatic reason to kill an animal any more than it is a reason to do away with Gran.
5

Ben_JackinoffDec. 08, 2011 - 06:01PM JST

cleo,

Thanks for the link. The dog looked pretty healthy in the photo for a 24 year old . I agree with you. This is nothing to suggest the dog was forced to stay alive. Rather, it really appears the dog enjoyed a nice long life and was well loved and cared for.
-9

FrungyDec. 08, 2011 - 08:25PM JST

Okay, fair enough Cleo, but I've known a lot of dog owners who kept their dogs alive when the dog was suffering, not in the dog's best interests, but simply because they didn't want to put the dog down. I find that personally cowardly and despicable. My living will says that if I'm critically ill and recovery is unlikely then I don't want life support or any additional care, and I'd rather die. Why people won't extend a similar level of care to their pets is beyond me.
1

BurakuminDesDec. 08, 2011 - 10:16PM JST

Even dogs lives the longest in Japan!? What the....

Actually - Aussie ones to be precise. I had heard of this Australian Blue Heeler (mentioned above) living to 29 years. Others I have heard of have lived to their late 20s also. Not a bad innings for a dog! They are probably the hardiest breed of dog in the world, the heeler. And I hope Pusuke is resting in peace in doggie heaven!
3

cleoDec. 08, 2011 - 10:34PM JST

I hope Pusuke is resting in peace in doggie heaven!

I like to think he's young again and frolicking on the Rainbow Bridge with other gone-before pets (including mine) who are waiting for their people to join them.

Frungy - yes, I know the kind of situation you're talking about. Some owners simply cannot let go, and it really isn't hard to understand why. The owner often has a very difficult judgement call to make, and no one wants to put a beloved animal down. And for us standing outside the owner-pet relationship looking in, it can be very difficult to distinguish whether an animal is being put down to spare its suffering, or because it's no longer wanted; or conversely, whether an animal is being given medical treatment to tackle a curable condition or simply to prolong life because the owner can't bear to lose the animal.
1

Harry_GattoDec. 09, 2011 - 12:33AM JST

cleo: Thank you. I have neither the time or the patience to express that which you did so well, thanks again. My Shiba mix is a "rescue dog' from Aomori-ken, we think she is about 7 years old, at this rate she will outlive me !
0

Stephen JezDec. 09, 2011 - 12:43AM JST

Well said cleo, I never understood dog owners who were "quick" to put their animal down just for old age.
0

Vernie JefferiesDec. 09, 2011 - 12:59AM JST

Dog gone....bad news
0

tomatoflightDec. 09, 2011 - 02:13AM JST

Wow, 26! A dog born in the mid-80's, incredible.
2

LostinNagoyaDec. 09, 2011 - 11:18AM JST

Something I heard about dogs short life: they are born already knowing the meaning of love, so they don't have to live so long to learn more and in their short lives, they try hard to teach us the meaning of it...while us humans have to live 80, 90, 100 years...and hardly learn anything about loving...

RIP.
0

LH10Dec. 09, 2011 - 01:09PM JST

the dog was soooo cute!! RIP Pusuke T.T
0

sunabozu83Dec. 14, 2011 - 12:00PM JST

wow even the dogs in japan live long lives rest in peace my furry friend