負け犬

まけいぬ
makeinu
The underdog, loser

This is a term now commonly used to describe the 30-something, unmarried, childless working women which is made popular by the Japanese writer - Junko Sakai（酒井順子）, whose book Makeinu no Toboe (負け犬の遠吠え) ("The distant howling of the loser dogs") was one of the best-sellers last year.

This is what Sakai said in an interview:
"I know I'm a losing dog, but I'm quite satisfied with my life."

I wonder if there is an English translated version of the book on the web somewhere?

Oh, here is the TV series.