Yes, It's a Dog!

I love my dog Chewy; I want her to be safe, happy, fed the best nutritional diet, washed with chemical free shampoo. I want her bed to provide her with the best possible comfort while enhancing my decor as opposed to clashing with it. I want her to be kept warm when it's cold. I want her food and water bowls to look nice as well as be functional. I want to regularly provide her with new and interesting toys to keep her amused and stimulated. I'm not alone in wishing for these things, but I do constantly hear the comment, "but it's just a dog" in reference to the product available for our pets. What does this mean? Yes, it's a dog. Does this mean we should feed them sub standard food, provide rudimentary bedding, let them feel the cold, dry out their coat and skin, let their minds atrophy through boredom, constantly hide their bowls and bedding before guests arrive because they look so bloody awful?

Why should we expect our pets to live and be treated as if they were out in the wilds in their original state? Do we impose these same standards upon ourselves?

Where do I begin to argue this strange ethic of how our pets should be treated?

I could start with the fact that through many years of genetic manipulation there isn't much of our dog's 'natural state' left.

I could suggest that if our dogs are to live with the bare essentials, as this is 'natural', then we should surely be doing the same.

We all started out naked and without a local supermarket. To all intents and purposes we could still be running around the bush clubbing our food source over the head and eating it raw. But for various reasons we changed this habit, we worked out that our lives could be somewhat more comfortable if we did a few things about our living arrangements. For one, we discovered that food tasted a hell of a lot better when it was cooked. Is it essential, however, that we douse it in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, shaved garlic, various herbs and spices, and a splash of Merlot in order to achieve a soupcon of sophistication? Our taste buds, be we human or canine, are designed to do one thing, discern edible food from that which is putrid or poisonous, not to appreciate the delicate distinction between a traditional Creme Brulee and one with a hint of Native Wattle seed.

We also worked out that if we wrapped ourselves in skins and eventually cloth we weren't so damn cold and open to the elements. Do we now consider the wearing of the latest trends to be a luxury or a necessity? We could still wrap our feet and bodies in whatever was around to protect ourselves, but instead we have a habit of picking and choosing according to what will bring out the colour of our eyes or enhance our curvaceous figures. A prerequisite of survival, I don't think so. And please if anyone can explain the necessary or functional attributes of a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos I'd be more than willing to listen.

Yes. It's a dog, but as very few of us live our lives using the rudimentary over the comfortable, the basic over the flattering, the bland over the flavoursome, why on earth should they. If your dog is pleading with you for some of the latest fashion and homeware Dogs and the City can provide everything they need.

About this Author

Being a dedicated supporter of animal rights and welfare you will find that DOGS and the CITY sells everything but the dog as it is our firm belief that animals do not belong in shops. http://dogsandthecity.com.au/

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