I’m sure many (if not all) of us can say, “dogs didn’t have/do that in my day.” The dog slept outside or in a kennel, not in our beds. If dogs were lost, you went looking instead of waiting for their surgically implanted chip to register a locale. And, if a dog was cold, he went into his doghouse, or came inside, he didn’t wear custom clothes. Well, those are the “old days” for most people, and the nation is embracing this new “modern pet” philosophy. These days, it’s considered pretty normal in most places to see dogs dressed up in adorable outfits, or dogs visiting a spa or enjoying organic dog treats. Pet owners spend billions of dollars each year to give their furry family member (once just a dog) anything they can.
Here are some THEN and NOW dog trends that just show how much the times have changed.
THEN: Riding in a truck bed
NOW: Dog harnesses or seat belts
THEN: Vacations at the kennel
NOW: Pet hotels and resorts
THEN: Plain old chalky treats
NOW: Organic and homemade gourmet dog treats
THEN: Quick brush through
NOW: Day at the doggie salon
THEN: Rope for a leash
NOW: Bling Bling fashion leashes and matching collars
THEN: Being cooped up all day
NOW: Fun outing with a dog walker while parents are away
THEN: Dry kibble dog food
NOW: Gourmet organic dog food suitable for a human
THEN: Not enjoying the world
NOW: Being able to go about anywhere like restaurants, hotels, airplanes and stores, that all cater to dogs
THEN: Snapshots of our pets
NOW: Professional pet portraits
Care to take a deeper look into the world of dogs and pet ownership in America today? Check out One Nation Under Dog. Author Michael Schaffer delves into “new-world” pets and pet owners and examines how the relationship between pet and owner has evolved. It also takes an interesting look at how pets are treated more as humans or celebrities with lavishly furnished lifestyles. And all this comes from a mouth of a “modern” pet owner who didn’t realize he was. It’s definitely an interesting take on pet ownership as we used to know it.
What is the real reason for this change in the the way we see pets? Not really sure, but we are definitely embracing the modern pet movement! Are you? What are some other “then” and “now” dog trends that you can think of?
