Who needs kids when you can just buy a dog?

briv

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Allow me to introduce..Boston's emergent Dog Class:


Lapping up luxuries
By Cristina Silva, Boston Globe | June 11, 2006

Henry dines regularly at some of the trendiest restaurants in the South End, where waitresses often greet him by name and a kiss. Phatty sports a custom-made Gucci raincoat. Gershwin never misses his weekly $65 hair appointment.

Nothing is too good for these South End dogs, and if it sounds like they have a better life than you do, that's because they probably do.

Between the rows of high-end condominiums and shiny Jettas, business owners are catering to the furry demographic in the South End, which in recent years has become one of the most canine-friendly neighborhoods in Boston.

Restaurants serve weekly organic brunches to dogs, canine day-care centers offer pooches pottery and painting classes, and dog boutiques stock Gucci leashes, fuzzy sweaters, and camouflage-print T-shirts. The South End also features one of the few dog runs in the city, Peter's Park, where the animals can frolic and sniff one another leash-free.

South End dogs have gained such consumer power that realtors have begun telling property owners they must make their buildings and apartment rentals more hospitable to the growing number of dog owners.

With more professionals opting to wait longer before having children or getting married, dog specialists say urbanites are redirecting their attention and disposable income to their dogs, dropping hundreds of dollars to ensure their four-legged friends get the best in food, grooming, and care.

"The South End is probably the fastest-growing area for dogs," said JoAnna Downey , coauthor of the book ``The Dog Lover's Companion to Boston" and a columnist for Dog Fancy magazine. ``There is a very close bond between people and their pets. People want to lavish their dogs with special clothing and treats."

Dog-centric retailers have opened across Greater Boston in recent years, but no neighborhood boasts the concentration of retailers and dog owners quite like the South End.

On Shawmut Avenue, the recently expanded Polka Dog Bakery offers a wide selection of protein-packed dog treats, including imported bones, pig snouts, lamb hearts, and three types of knee bones. The bakery also whips up a variety of homemade doggie biscuits laced with subtle tastes of pizza, peanut butter, or tuna.

At Tremont 647 -- normally a popular people eatery -- dogs can indulge in protein drinks such as the "Dogmopolitan" or the "Chickentini" during the weekly Saturday afternoon happy hour. The restaurant has also started offering a menu specifically for canines.

"Henry loves the chicken satay," said Paula Goldstein , who frequently visits the restaurant with her pug in tow.

At Dog Day Afternoons Country Day Prep , a sprawling, 7,000-square-foot doggie day care on Harrison Avenue, activities include paw painting, gym, meditation time, and paw-print pottery.

On special occasions, the dogs get to watch television, said Jeffrey Walker , the school's headmaster.

"Ice T is one of their all-time favorites," he said, referring to the actor and former rapper. "We try to play `Law and Order' once a week."

The South End has more dogs per capita than any neighborhood in Boston, according to US Census figures and the city's department of Animal Control. There are 720 dogs registered in the South End, which has a population of about 28,000. Only Jamaica Plain, with a population of about 42,000, has more registered dogs than the South End, with 747 licenses. Residents estimate that only 1 in 5 dog owners applies for a city dog license.

To anyone who might suggest that South End dogs are spoiled or pampered, canine owners respond, "So what?"

"This is not like when I was a kid and people would just stick their dog in the yard," Walker said. "These dogs are part of our family now."

Walker said he understands when his customers bring in packed lunch boxes for their dogs, crammed with slivers of organic roasted meat and tender vegetables. His pit bull, Phatty, drinks only bottled water and eats all-natural foods.

Phatty loves Gucci. He is not allowed to wear polyester.

Julie Reich and her husband, David, bought Gershwin, a blond mix of poodle and golden retriever, three years ago. The couple cannot have children, but Julie Reich says she does not feel as though her family is missing anything. Gershwin receives glowing report cards from Dog Day Afternoons and gets shampooed weekly at a grooming salon.

"Dogs are the new kids," she said jokingly as Gershwin ran in circles behind her.

Catherine Turco said her dog, Rumsfield, a tan and thin vizsla , has his own account at Polka Dog and often hangs out at Peter's Park.

Turco, a 28-year-old doctoral student at MIT, said she moved to the South End three years ago because it was one of the few places where condominiums accepted dogs.

As she spoke, Rumsfield rolled over onto his back at her feet, demanding a little scratch.

She happily complied and cooed, "He is so cute, how could you not want to make him happy?"
 
This article makes me laugh so much, especially that Dog Day Afternoons thing. Paw painting? Law & Order? The dogs are probably wishing they could run around outside. These people are trying to turn dogs into humans, which they are not. I don't see anything wrong with it, but it is a huge waste of money and most likely annoying to the dogs (except for the special food, of course). :lol: :lol:
 
Spare the dogs. Give the money to charity or have your own kid - it's much more rewarding.
 
Some of you must have seen the dog bus around -- from "The Common Dog". It's a small school bus like thing but with dogs strapped into the seats instead of kids. I almost fell over the first time I saw it... :)

busmain.jpg


It may be taking them to Fi-Dough, the dog bakery on Charles Street....
 

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