One Nation Under Dog...

The book I'm reading right now is called One Nation Under Dog: Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food. It starts with the author promising to his wife that they wouldn't become those people after adopting their St.Bernard. Those people who buy the Kong chews when a dog would prefer something a whole lot cheaper. Travelling en masse (leaving the family pet is no longer an option). Spending money on pet health insurance when we don't have a dental plan ourselves. Anyway, you get the drift...

...and I am most definitely one of them...

I realized just how spoiled my pups were last night after changing their insurance packages to cover summer expenses and stocking my freezer with homemade fishcakes (with some fantastic kibble mixed in). They have 3 varieties of homemade treats to choose from and always get a taste of peanut butter for dessert. How have animals moved to such a 'human' position in our lives? Sure, I know some of it has to do with the personification of a creature when there's no one else in the house, but it's still not a logical behaviour. Not so long ago there was a horrible dog attack here in Pang and, although a chihuahua is certainly not a husky, they have the same ancestors. Deep down that must count for something.

...as for the dog politics? Though most urban centers are rife with it, it is another stellar example that the north is not the south (as if I needed another reminder). Getting fined for leaving a bit of dog poop on the sidewalk is unbelievably funny up here. There is, quite literally, crap everywhere; the warmer weather makes this more and more evident, and I'm getting a bit worried about the spring and my lack of rubber boots!

Time to move on...