TwitterユーザーのAnon612985さんが、11月2日に投稿した画像が話題だ。画像には、仕事を引退した元盲導犬が、10歳になって穴堀りをしたという姿が写されていた。
日本盲導犬協会の公式サイトによると、盲導犬は生後1歳から訓練を開始。訓練を経て、10歳前後で引退するまで目の不自由な人とともに過ごす。アメリカの盲導犬協会「Guide Dogs for the Blind」によると、現役の盲導犬も、ハーネスを装着していない時は普通のペットと同様に扱われるという。ただし、安全のため、特定のおもちゃでしか遊ぶことを許されないなど、普通のペットのように自由さが少ない面もある。
盲導犬の平均寿命は12歳12か月（12歳11か月以上、12か月未満）とされており、引退する10歳は人間で言うと60歳くらい。引退時に、他の犬に仕事を奪われた生活も、大きなストレスになるという。
Anon612985さんの投稿には、「本当にご苦労様でした」「今まで出来なかったこと沢山やってね」「温かい気持ちになりました」などのコメントが相次ぎ、3日午後2時半現在で1000回以上、お気に入り登録されている。
赤ちゃんと子犬
(01 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(02 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(03 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(04 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(05 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(06 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(07 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
(08 of34)
(credit:Ivette Ivens)
Newborn baby and puppy(09 of34)
Newborn baby and a dachshund puppy sleeping together. (credit:HannamariaH via Getty Images)
Little girl playing with a puppy husky(10 of34)
Little girl playing with a puppy husky, isolated on white (credit:ptaha_c via Getty Images)
Puppy with baby in bath tub(11 of34)
Puppy with baby in bath tub. (credit:sarahwolfephotography via Getty Images)
girl with dog(12 of34)
girl with dog (credit:Ersler Dmitry via Getty Images)
Baby and French bulldog puppies asleep together(13 of34)
Man\'s best friend. (credit:Andrew Bret Wallis via Getty Images)
Baby and puppy asleep together(14 of34)
Man\'s best friend. (credit:Andrew Bret Wallis via Getty Images)
small child plays with puppy(15 of34)
small child plays with puppy (credit:Chris Ross via Getty Images)
TODDLER WITH PUPPY(16 of34)
TODDLER WITH PUPPY (credit:Elyse Lewin via Getty Images)
Baby girl, with pet dog(17 of34)
Infant girl, 7-9 months, looking at French bulldog. (credit:Julia Smith via Getty Images)
Toddler and puppy(18 of34)
Aussie puppy wants to play with toddler girl. (credit:Preappy via Getty Images)
TODDLER WITH PUPPY(19 of34)
TODDLER WITH PUPPY (credit:Elyse Lewin via Getty Images)
Baby girl playing with puppy(20 of34)
Baby girl playing with puppy (credit:Chris Lowe via Getty Images)
Father with baby (9-12 months) and dog on sofa(21 of34)
Father with baby (9-12 months) and dog on sofa (credit:Paul Viant via Getty Images)
Baby girl in hat playing with puppy(22 of34)
Baby girl in hat playing with puppy (credit:Chris Lowe via Getty Images)
Baby (12-17 months) playing with puppy on bed(23 of34)
Baby (12-17 months) playing with puppy on bed (credit:SuperStock via Getty Images)
Toddler trying to lick a dog(24 of34)
Little girl reaching with her tongue sticking out trying to lick a salt and pepper miniature schnauzer dog. (credit:Jorge Rimblas via Getty Images)
Puppy licking a baby boy's face(25 of34)
Puppy licking a baby boy\'s face (credit:Purestock via Getty Images)
Boy and puppies(26 of34)
One year and half old boy playing with puppies in garden (credit:Vgm6 via Getty Images)
Child with dog in the snow laughing(27 of34)
Child with dog in the snow laughing (credit:Frank P wartenberg via Getty Images)
Toddler sits with her puppy on kitchen floor(28 of34)
Toddler sitting with her puppy on kitchen floor. (credit:PraxisPhotography via Getty Images)
Child and puppies(29 of34)
2-year-old boy and a 1.5-month-old puppies yellow labrador retriever.Studio shot. (credit:Sergey Ryumin via Getty Images)
Pet, pals, people, baby, indoors, puppy, 1950s, groups people(30 of34)
Pet, pals, people, baby, indoors, puppy, 1950s, groups people (credit:SuperStock via Getty Images)
Baby boy playing with puppies(31 of34)
Baby boy playing with puppies (credit:Purestock via Getty Images)
Pet Dog Kissing Two Month Old Baby(32 of34)
A friendly family German Shepherd dog is laying on a blanket with a two month old newborn baby, kissing her on the cheek. (credit:ChristinLola via Getty Images)
young family with a puppy(33 of34)
young family with a puppy (credit:Rubberball/Nicole Hill via Getty Images)
Baby and puppy. Hugs.(34 of34)
2-year-old boy and a 1.5-month-old yellow labrador retriever puppy.Studio shot. (credit:Sergey Ryumin via Getty Images)
【関連記事】
ハフィントンポスト日本版はTwitterでも情報発信しています。@HuffPostJapan をフォロー