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Are Dogs Now Just Furry Kids?
The Smithsonian ^ | 6-25-13

Posted on 06/30/2013 9:50:17 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic

The Summer of 2013 officially began only last Friday, but already it has a good shot at achieving a dubious distinction in the annals of parental indulgence. This could be the summer that ice cream trucks for dogs go mainstream.

Ever since the K99 ice cream truck set up shop in the parks of London during the summer of 2010–to the tune of the Scooby Doo theme song, no less–the trend of cruising trucks full of specially-made canine ice cream treats and cookies has been spreading and appears to be hitting its jaunty stride. Last summer, they started dropping by dog parks in more and more American cities, confident in the knowledge that all it takes is one person ponying up $3 for a doggie cone and in no time, every other dog owner in the vicinity will feel compelled to do the same for their own little precious. And now, according to a story on NBC’s website this weekend, some of the more successful dog food trucks are talking about franchising their brands.

This was inevitable, I suppose, given all the singles whose significant other has paws, and all the aging Baby Boomers whose own kids have moved out, or at least down to the basement. These days, dog love swings easily into sweet, excessive indulgence.

Among recent examples of ideas whose time apparently has come are a device developed by a San Francisco firm that allows pet owners to track how active their dog is during the day while they’re at work, and a high-end dog food whose main ingredient is ground-up chicken feathers. It’s designed for dogs with food allergies.

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.smithsonianmag.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Food; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: ccd; culturewar; dinks; doggieping; dogsaspeople; dualincomenokids; eternaladolescence; idiocracy; pets; smashthepatriarchy; spoileddogs; treats; vetresearch
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To: afraidfortherepublic; Revolting cat!; Slings and Arrows
and a high-end dog food whose main ingredient is ground-up chicken feathers

Is there much nutritional content in pillow stuffing???

21 posted on 06/30/2013 11:36:24 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (America 2013 - STUCK ON STUPID)
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To: AnAmericanMother; Titan Magroyne; Badeye; SandRat; arbooz; potlatch; afraidfortherepublic; ...
WOOOF!

Computer Hope

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

22 posted on 06/30/2013 11:37:28 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I love our pets, but they are pets. They are not children.

Most of the people I know who think their pets are their children are homosexual. And I know some heterosexual couples who never wanted children though they act like their animals are their babies. It is kind of creepy.


23 posted on 06/30/2013 11:40:43 AM PDT by petitfour
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To: Irenic

“With no wee ones left in my home, my dogs have become like children for me. I enjoy it, they enjoy it...so why not.”

Ditto that. And I swear, she understands EVERY word we say. Sometimes I start to spell things out just like with little kids. She can’t spell yet, thank goodness. :)


24 posted on 06/30/2013 11:45:16 AM PDT by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like it)
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To: Irenic

Same here, even our grandchildren are grown. We call our dogs our pup children, and why not? They are good company and let us know when anyone is around. Early warning dogs, we call them!


25 posted on 06/30/2013 11:46:06 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: petitfour

My dog is my child, I’m not a homosexual, and if what I think of my dog bothers you, I want you to know that I do not give a damn.


26 posted on 06/30/2013 11:47:03 AM PDT by chris37 (Heartless.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

I’ve been known to cough up $4.00 for a four pack of Frosty Paws for mine from time to time, especially in hot weather. They go nuts for them, lol. I actually tasted of it, clearly formulated for dogs, it was disgusting. But they love it, I get enjoyment from seeing their enjoyment. So, critics MYOB.


27 posted on 06/30/2013 11:47:08 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: freeangel

Ha! We spell out light, ball, bubbles and food. I think they are catching on to the spelling of light and food. They do learn words, absolutely without a doubt. We laugh because we think they understand more of our language than we understand of theirs!


28 posted on 06/30/2013 11:50:57 AM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheel barrow)
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To: freeangel

They’ll learn the spelling, then you’ll have to resort to pig-latin.


29 posted on 06/30/2013 11:54:42 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: chris37

LOL

I can tell you don’t care. It’s no big deal that I think it’s creepy. I like my heterosexual friends who treat their pets as children.


30 posted on 06/30/2013 11:55:10 AM PDT by petitfour
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To: Kozak

I throw up a little in my mouth when the kennel refers to me as a “pet parent”.

&&&
That is just so obnoxious. I correct people who call me this.


31 posted on 06/30/2013 11:59:19 AM PDT by Bigg Red (Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! -Ps80)
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To: Ditter

They are great company and can make me laugh when all I want to do is cry.

They keep me busy, too. Play, play, play, love, love, love! They ARE a great early warning systems, I feel much safer with them around.

Mine snore and fart, what more could you ask for?! :p

My oldest dog passed away a two weeks ago, it has been a bit easier on me having the two younger dogs.

We raised the youngest Boxer from a small puppy and she will go out and lay next to the plot where we buried the old girl. It chokes me up. It is a beautiful spot under the pecan tree, and I’ve put out some stones, hardy flowers and a couple of small solar lights.


32 posted on 06/30/2013 12:06:30 PM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheel barrow)
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To: Irenic
I have a friend who is going through a tough time now, physically and mentally. She doesn't have a dog now because she could not take proper care of it. I am going over with one of my dogs today, Hairy, a certified therapy dog, to give her some dog therapy.
33 posted on 06/30/2013 12:11:17 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Dogs are more intelligent, loyal and loving than many kids.


34 posted on 06/30/2013 12:11:53 PM PDT by bgill (This reply was mined before it was posted.)
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To: Ditter

I truly believe dogs can be the best medicine. Hope your friend finds comfort in Hairy. :)


35 posted on 06/30/2013 12:13:34 PM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheel barrow)
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To: Bon of Babble
I visited an upscale bakery yesterday in the Bay Area of California that had an entire section devoted to home baked, certified organic dog treats (!).

A coffee shop that I frequent in Morgan Hill sells the Gelato Classico brand of gelato. They've just started carrying a gelato variety specifically for dogs.

36 posted on 06/30/2013 12:14:43 PM PDT by Bob
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To: Irenic

and Jesus loves us, His little sheep.


37 posted on 06/30/2013 12:22:55 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Irenic

nothing wrong with it.


38 posted on 06/30/2013 12:23:39 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: petitfour

The fact that you associate how a person views their dog with their sexual orientation is what is creepy.

What I have learned in my time here is that dogs are quite a bit more lovable than people, speaking generally, and some dogs are infinitely more lovable than some people, speaking specifically.


39 posted on 06/30/2013 12:29:01 PM PDT by chris37 (Heartless.)
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To: chris37

How do you post a picture? I want to introduce the ping list to my pup.


40 posted on 06/30/2013 12:34:28 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (The reason we own guns is to protect ourselves from those wanting to take our guns from us.)
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