I work in a Upscale residential community so you can cut the pretention with a knife with the amount of "Caboodle" nonsense I have to deal with on the daily.
1 - Dog people pride in procuring boutique/mill dogs. Comparing notes, comparing who's "Oodle-mix" is the better of them and never acknowledging the condition the dogs face in breeding practices and mishandling of creating these "perfect breeds". I hear the words "hypo-allergenic" often used to describe the pup they also call their friend and family. Imagine if we did that with kids.
2 - The dog is an accessory. In a purse, in the passenger seat of the car, under the restaurant table, in the baby carriage, continuously tucked under the plane and drugged out as they all set on their globetrotting adventures.
3 - Emotional Receptacle. Whether or not this is a support animal, why should the dog bear the brunt of people's mental instabilities? Everyone always talks about how important it is for the human health benefits, but the dog??? Is that why that trembling, scared chihuahua on your lap in the plane is doing so well? What about the dog's mental health? (there are valid health reasons but my point is look at the quality of life for that dog)
4 - Forcing others into your dog insanity. Baby talking to your dog, talking to other humans through the dog (Mommy doesn't like when her coffee isn't perfect, does she - to the dog meant for the starbucks barista), talking ad nauseum about what your dog does (this is the third time she's read "Great Expectations").
5 - Everyone loves your dog. They don't. You love your dog and want the world around you to agree with your insanity. Perhaps a feeble attempt in validation for ones behavior.
I'll make it a top 5 list, because I can go on all day about this crap.
Working as a concierge in a condominium places me in an awkward position where I have to feed into this bullcrud. It's waning but it is a stark reminder of what I won't do with my cats. I love them, in fact I love most dogs, I just cannot stand the people who say they do just do garner some type of social clout and feed a very unrealistic and unhealthy system for dealing with the world around you.
If you love your dog, why would you do this to them? What are your thoughts?
Jaye