April 28, 2007
It seems everywhere I turn, it’s a dog’s life — literally. While recently browsing the accessory section of my favorite department store, I came across a smart-looking lanyard, made of patent leather and bejeweled with a few rhinestone accents. I could use a free hand these days, so was excited to find a way to hold my keys without having to wear the cheap lanyard bearing the name of my bank. “How much are these lanyards?” I asked the clerk. She leaned into me and, in an attempt to save me from embarrassment, whispered, “Those aren’t lanyards; they’re leashes.”
I stopped by the pharmacy on my way home. As I waited for my prescriptions, I noticed that sitting next to the basket of kids’ suckers was a box of doggie biscuits. Could there be that many people driving around with dogs in their cars? I made a concerted effort to answer that question on my drive home. Although I didn’t take an exact count, the number of people cradling a small furry critter in their arms while navigating rush hour traffic was astonishing.
I noticed the canine obsession again during my early evening walk. In one short 30-minute walk, I counted 11 people walking with dogs as their companions. Twice, I was forced off the sidewalk to make room for the pet.
Upon returning home, I turned on the television and tuned in to a rerun of a popular show where fashion designers compete for a career contract and cash prize. On this particular episode, the teaser was “stay tuned to see what our contestants design, using today’s most popular accessory.” I was eager to see what the accessory would be — a tote bag? A wide belt? A headband? After a commercial break and dramatic drum roll, it was announced that the accessory was a pooch. Accompanying the high-fashion models down the runway came a half-dozen or so yapping, slobbering canines, dressed to kill, in satin, lace and ruffles, to match their model’s frock. I should have known. Dogs rule - even the airwaves.
Frankly, I am baffled by friends and relatives who hold dinner discourse hostage by droning on and on about the latest antics of their dogs. And I can’t relate to loved ones who decline an invitation to come for a holiday visit because they have to stay home with their dogs.
Except for leash laws and a few dog doo-doo ordinances in the area, I am unaware of any official rules of ownership for a dog, so I would like to offer the following “litmus test” as a guideline: Would you let your children charge down the walking trail, three-abreast, forcing others off into the grass? Would you let your children roll around on the floor while gnawing on a cookie, embedding the mushy remains into the carpet? Would you allow your children to squirm restlessly on your lap while you drive in heavy traffic? Would you allow your children to nuzzle against sleeping guests in the middle of the night? Would you allow your children to stand outside and yell at the top of their lungs all night? If not, then don’t allow your dog such inappropriate behavior.
I know. I know … man’s best friend and all that. And I may need a friend, after some of my human friends read this. I know my e-mail box will be full of reflections from dog lovers everywhere, but surely I am not the only one who thinks that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) should have a counter-organization called DETA (Dogs Exercising a Trace of Appropriateness). Feel free to respond, but be prepared if my answer to you is (in dog speak), “Grrrrrr.”
Comments
cathy (cathy) says...
I used to have the same feelings about my little Spike: "He's a DOG! Why are we letting him get away with this stuff - the incessant barking, the nipping at strange men's heels, the getting up 3 times a night, the annoying way he's ALWAYS underfoot..." Then, he got old. He's over 15 now (a terrier mix) and is very senile. He paces all night, stares off into space and walks like a drunk. This morning, he simply fell down as he was standing in my room. It's so sad and difficult to know what to do.
I know this wasn't exactly your point, Marcia, but our little doggies do have a way of getting under our skin.
April 30, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brendamom (anonymous) says...
My goodness! Your kids never rolled on carpet eating cookies? So it is worse for a dog? My my. Getting into the perfect house thing or what?
If your guests don't come, they may have set their priorities of who they want to be with. I know that is hard to face. But it just is so.
A good dog is a treasure. If you have dogs yelping outside at all hours of the night, report it. If you have people and dogs leaving doodoo in your yard, report them.
So it is a problem for you to accesorize with dog accessories? I guess we all have our standards.
Or is the real problem that people like thier dogs more than they like you? Or so it seems.
Dogs give affection. Dogs give adventure. Dogs require you to choose the qualities you like in humans. Dogs lead you to people and places you would never have otherwise considered. If we provide that to other humans, I think it would be a good world.
I have tried licking my human friends and rolling in their cropped lawns. It isn't working well. So we settle for understanding another species and see where they lead us beyond ourselves.
My Book Club waits with anticipation for the moment when the dog's tail will sweep the table. All saves are awarded with applause. For some reason, we are chosen as home base. Maybe it is acceptance.
There is currently a class offerred by Lawrence Jayhawk Kennel Club for a Doggie good citizenship certificate. It's better than nothing. It won't get you prizes. Only the owner knows that. But it is the next step to Therapy dog and many other things
May 24, 2007 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.