Are Dogs Now Just Furry Kids?

The Smithsonian ^ | 6-25-13

[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.

[Irenic]

Amen!

[chris37]

You use the html command < img src=””></img> and in between the quotes you insert the URL of the image you wish to insert.

However there is no space between the first bracket and img, I had to put that psace there in order to make the html readable in this post.

[OldPossum]

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.

I'll endorse that. My wife and I live with two dogs and I think they--and the dogs in my life who have preceded them--definitely are more lovable than just about anyone I know or have known.

[catnipman]

Don’t know about dogs, but my cats are for sure! :)

[chris37]

Agreed, OldPossum.

I have been of the mind for some time now that when I die, I want to go where dogs are. If there are no dogs there, then I don’t want to go there.

[verga]

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

My wife and I were never able to have children, and yes we treat our dogs like children, because frankly they treat us better than the children of friends of mine treat their parents.

[onedoug]

Sticks for the fix.

[berdie]

I won’t say my present dog, and dogs in my past are kids but they are pretty spoiled. They are great companions that don’t give me the hassle a lot of humans do.

[green pastures]

I’m not sure of the correlation between your post and this thread. Before throwing PETA around, please note that their name is not at all what they are about. They are just as opposed to dog ownership as you evidently are. In fact, their belief is that animals are better of dead than being ‘owned,’ ‘adopted, “ or even a ‘fur kid.’

The only ethical treatment of animals they promote is life in the wild or death.

[green pastures]

I’m sorry to learn you have such a limited life.

[green pastures]

Ours could s-p-e-l-l...

[CaptainK]

I’m speaking of you average PETA supporter who places the lives of animals above the unborn human.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

My parents refer to my brother's dog as their "furry grandchild". Yes, they have human grandchildren and love them immensely but they also enjoy having the little furball dropped off for a weekend visit when the family goes out of town.