I will stop short of saying that we live in a dog lovers paradise. Definitely not...but compared to much of the country Seattle and the surrounding area is pretty pro-dog. I sometimes get frustrated by rude comments and the people and businesses that are not open-armed about my dog, that is until I remember how many advantages we do have.
A person can hardly go a block in any residential area without running into at least 2 or 3 dogs. I live on the Interurban Trail and enjoy a steady stream of dogs and their people in all kinds of weather and all times of day (I don't go out there at night so I can't report on that). I would venture a guess that about 1 out of every 10 vehicles I see on the road has a dog in it.
We have doggie daycares in nearly every neighborhood, self wash dog washes, dog parks within a 10 minute drive most anywhere in the greater Seattle area. We are lucky to have some of the very best health care around, including Veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic, homeopathic practitioners, massage therapy, canine water therapy, pet 1st aid and CPR classes, nearly a dozen 24 hour emergency clinics, specialists in eye surgeries, cancer care and treatment, and more.
I have attended parties for dogs (yes the dogs) in honor of their birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations of life and farewells before death. Many of these include multiple dogs and their people, but it is all about the love of the four-legged (usually 4, sometimes 3), furry family members that many of us think of as our dependents. I have partied at The Dining Dog more than any nightclub, where we buy rounds of 'chowtini's' and gnosh on 'puppy pate' (and sometimes have some people food around for the humans). We sing to them, give them gifts, photograph and videotape them, play games with them, and share their unbridled joy at the attention they receive.
If this makes us crazy, then so be it. Those people that say we are demeaning our dogs by putting sweaters or jackets on them don't know the dogs I know. The ones I know that wear any kind of clothing would not have it left on them if they minded it. What is the difference between putting a pink sweater on my dog and some poor little kid having to wear their Sunday best and keep their hair perfect? The difference is, my dog gets cold without her sweater and once it is over her head she couldn't care less about it being there. If anything, she enjoys the attention.
When I hear people say that we spend too much money on our dogs I wonder why anyone would care about what I spend my money on. If I decided to spend everything I had and went into debt for a car no one would bat an eye. If I decide to spend a few thousand dollars to help my dog live longer and without pain, that is crazy?? Sorry, that is what doesn't make sense.
Our dogs have unlimited love to give, unbounded loyalty, they help keep us active, make us think about something/someone other than ourselves and bring us joy and comfort.
People who really love their dogs grieve the loss of their companion as much and often more than many other family members because of the closeness and unconditional love they give us. When I lost my 3 dogs my heart tore with each death. When the last of the 3 passed I felt like I was a balloon that had lost most of its air. So much of what I did in any given day was with, for or about my dogs. Coming home wasn't relaxing anymore and I didn't have a sidekick following me around the house keeping an eye on me. The joy of walking, riding in the car, arriving at a location and going to parks were all pretty muted. I spent months saying good night to each one of them before I fell asleep at night and feeling the tears when I realized I couldn't feel their fur or ears or breath anymore.
Then one day, I moved through the worst of it and began smiling again as I saw all of the other dogs and people who love dogs around me. Once I found my little girl and brought her home, I began the deeper level of healing. Although I still miss my other dogs often, sometimes painfully, I know we had one another to take care of and we were happy with that. My girl Devi is the focus now and I'm back to the routine of daycare, lots of walks, dog park visits, new doggie friends, everything that keeps me smiling and sane.
Yes, we live in a really good place. I can work with dogs professionally, recreate with them, so many dogs, so little time. We have a long way to go to become a dog lovers paradise, but we are on our way friends! Celebrate Dogs! (and dog lovers)
