Adorable or simply degrading? Randy Son Of Robert, Flickr
Some of us show our appreciation by buying luxury items that range from the frivolous (designer clothes and custom-made collars) to the more practical (organic dog food and orthopedic beds). When our hectic lives mean we have to leave our precious pooches behind, we put them up at fancy dog hotels with socialization hours and individual walks. Many of us avoid that problem entirely by bringing our dogs everywhere we go -- showering them with non-stop affection.
Is all this the least we can do for the pets that bring us so much happiness? Or, at some point does this 21st century lifestyle begin to take something away from the dog's essential animal nature? And are we somehow giving other humans less than they deserve because we are showering all this attention on our pets? These are some of the questions pondered in the New York Magazine article "The Rise of Dog Identity Politics" in which the author John Homans describes some of the conflicts we – and others, including academics, psychiatrists, and dog trainers -- feel about the way many of us choose to parent our pets.
"The dog is more and more an urban species. Even in the suburbs, the dog's unleashed, unfenced, carefree outdoor life is largely at an end. The dogs are in the house, even in the bed. (The doghouse is now mostly for husbands.) There are no rules to this evolving, increasingly intimate arrangement, and it can give rise to a kind of canine identity crisis. Outside of its country context, the dog plays an ever more human role. Which can make things very confusing," says Homans.
What do you think, Paw Nation? By giving our dogs the cushiest, most comfortable lives possible, are we somehow invalidating their essential "dogness?" Do you personally feel that you have ever gone over the line in your devotion and care for your pet?
Tell us what you think by taking our poll and sharing your comments below.
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We can all go a bit overboard in spoiling our pets. But dogs are domesticated animals and many were bred to be companions and lapdogs so I don't think it is wrong to treat them like a member of the family. And I know my dog wouldn't survive a day out on a farm or in the wild.
This country is going to the dogs. They are pets, not your children, kids, babies, etc. They are not humans so don't try and confuse the poor things. Try spending a little more time on human relationships and listen to what "The dog whisperer" says about pets.
What we do with our pets is never the business of someone posting on an Internet message board. If we wish to spend thousands on a collar and leash, it is not your business. If we wish to have doggy doctor house calls for our pampered pets, it is not your business. Tend to your own concerns and stop telling others what they should or should not do. Sounds like sour grapes to me. If you can't afford the best, too bad. Others can.
I have found that pet owners who go over board are usually childless or living alone. A friend of mine (single and childless) stopped talking to me because I refused to put her damn cat's name on the Christmas card I sent her.
I agree totaly with you! When you bring an animal to your home, you should do everything in your power to make them members of the family. However, I do have to say "dressing" a dog up is a little much. I talk to my dogs (3) like I would a a human , you would be surprised how much they understand. And dogs feel that their only mission in life is to give and receive the love from their human.
Why did you send your friend a Christmas card in the first place? To send her a little cheer and good wishes, I would imagine. So why the adamant refusal to include her pet by name if you knew that it would make her happy?
Would it have really killed you to say: Merry Christmas "Carol" (and "fluffy")?
You didn't say you forgot, you send you REFUSED meaning you knew the small gesture would make her happy but couldn't be bothered to make the slight effort involved.
News flash, she didn't dump you as a friend because of the Christmas card, but the ultimate message behind it.
You were stubbornly and arrogantly inconsiderate and dismissive of her feelings. That's not being much of a friend, Cherilyn.
It's easy to be supportive of friends and relatives when they act and think just as we would have them think and act.
Was the tiniest of gestures really too much?
Ancient folks did just as much...maybe that is why dogs in particular were domesticated so easily? What about Egyptian mummified pets? The world over, people have always had little pets...especially royalty, monks, aristocrats. They may start out as watch dogs but end up as "fur" babies.
BEING A DOG OWNER IT IS OUR JOB TO CARE FOR OUR BABIES. IF THEY COULD TALK THEY WOULD TELL US WHEN THEY ARE UNDER THE WEATHER. IF YOU NO YOUR PET YOU CAN TELL WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY GUYS AND GIRL GIVE US JOY, MAKE US LAUGH SO NO I DON'T FELL AS THO WE HAVE GONE OVER THE LINE OF DEVOTION. JUST MY OPION!
I really don't care what anyone thinks or feels about the fact that I pamper my pets. It gives me pleasure and happiness.
Well said. My 80 pound labrador is my best buddy. Yes, I also have human friends, but I never quarrel with my dog. He's always available to give me love. Spoiling him makes me happy and I couldn't really give a crap less if people think I'm weird for buying him special treats or driving an extra 15 miles to a beach that allows dogs so he can come along.
"The dog is more and more an urban species. Even in the suburbs, the dog's unleashed, unfenced, carefree outdoor life is largely at an end"
1.Unleashed because of leash laws.
2.A dog being fenced in? Cruel
3.Carefree outdoor life? Toxins on the grass, vehicles ready to run them over, other animals with rabies, etc. It's deadly outdoors for pets - especially pets who have no means of taking care of themselves. One of my Chihuahuas has only a basic amount of hair/fur. He would perish outside.
I absolutely love spoiling my dogs! My daughters are grown, married with children of their own. I can't coddle my girls, dress them up, etc etc. For older
women who love being mommies, this is our way of continuing to do what we
do best --- express love, committment, toys and everything else we can think of. Yes, car seats too. I can still be a mommie now and these babies of mine
appreciate it as did my most fantastic daughters.
I agree. I love all 3 of my dogs! After a stressful day at work ,I look forward to going home to my babies. My husband and daughter love them also. They know they are spoiled rotten and it's ok. They look forward to their treats and toys. We go above and beyond for them!!!
Fencing your pets in is not cruel; it is safe. As you mentioned, letting dogs run free puts them at risk of being run over by cars or hurt by other people. Putting the dog in a fenced-in backyard gives the dog space to run around and do "dog things" without putting them in danger. In addition, keeping your dogs inside a house is much more restrictive than putting them in a fenced-in area. They are given much more limited space to run and play, and their behavior is further limited by rules regarding your furniture and other belongings.
Jill, please do tell what 'rules' regarding my furntiture and other belongings limits my dogs behavior? My dogs don't need a fence because if I put them outside and don't go with them, they sit at the door and wait for me. No running and playing happeneing there.
That is nonsense. They cannot be loved too much. If you keep a dog from birth and inside, that is all it knows, depends on you for everything. Just as a child would do. I have 4 poms in my home and they are always glad to see me and love me. Especially more than my grown children and grandchildren. Isn't that awful but I'm sure most of you know it is the truth! I love my dogs They are my kids!.
Generally speaking, one has to wonder why anyone would possibly care that someone they don't know is pampering their dog, let alone spend time writing an inane article about it.
I live in the country where my Golden, 90 pound dog, runs free off leash in the woods and gets long hikes every morning because he needs his exercise. We don’t use toxins on our lawn because we have a septic system and well water that it could contaminate. There are no cars to run him over because we live in the middle of 22 acres. As for wild animals biting him they’re more likely to bite me then him since he can run faster. Our boy isn’t allowed on the furniture but then again he has never tried getting on it since he has his own beds. Our boy gets the very best of everything, human grade meat, grain free kibble, the best toys and yes, we treat him like our child…actually better…lol. Why not since he gives us all that he has to give? But we always remember he needs to be a doggie too that’s why he goes to play school twice a week to play with his friends and do doggie things. So really our boy gets the best of both worlds.
Dogs are superior to humans in behavior. I am privileged to be the caretaker of my dog, he lives with us just as another human would live with us, and I cringe at the thought of people who do not give dogs the respect they deserve. You want a best friend? Get a dog. You want unconditional love? Get a dog. You want another living thing that will always be ecstatic to see you at the door, that will love you with all their heart, that will always be there when you need a friend? Get a dog. Nuff said
Why does the modern world have to over-think EVERYTHING!? Bottom line, if someone's pet or animal companion is happy and healthy then who cares if they are wearing sunglasses and eating prime rib? The dog, btw, probably cares less about the tutus and more about the contact, attention and love from their pack leader/human. It can only be a good thing considering the vast amount of animals who desperately need a home. How's this for an article--Stop breeding until all the pets out there have homes? Make tougher laws for breeders otherwise and for those who want to "own" animals. Seriously? Worried a dog is too spoiled? Geesh. What's next--Can you hold your newborn too much? Sigh.
Nicole, I agree with you 100%. There are so many animals that need homes. We need to make it harder for breeding. If you want a dog please go rescue one from an organization, rescue one that someone has abandoned on the streets, etc. I have always done this and I can tell you that they all realize what you have done for them. Also, please spay and neuter your animals! And please don't just discard your animals! They should be part of your family! I treat mine as part of the family, provide them healthcare, food, water, a warm place to sleep, safety and love and attention. Yes, I treat them the same as a human, but I do know the difference. I love them equally and if you have a problem, that is your own problem.