A dog’s life
Some pets live lavished in royal treatment. It must be nice to live a dog’s life, a canary’s life or even a cat’s.
On a recent visit to my aunt Jean’s house, her cat, Pumpkin, joined us for dinner. His menu of choice: room temperature tuna (in water, never in oil). When I found myself devoting much of the conversation to the cat, I realized that you could stereotype my aunt’s life. The cat was indeed a stand-in for her grown-up children. The children had left the nest, leaving Jean alone with the cat.
Why do some people pamper their pets? With pet stores offering everything from yogurt, flavored critter treats to cozy ferret hammocks. It seems being the family pet is not such a bad thing.
It is almost like spoiling your kids. My neighbor feeds her dog, Pepper, people-food and lets him roam the house. But he wears coats and sweaters any time he leaves the house. With a child, you buy new clothes, with her dog, she buys him the same. Yes, the dog has a dog life preserver when they go out with the family in the boat.
A family friend, Pam, has her Pekinese professionally groomed each week. They paint the dog’s toenails and also have cologne to complete the makeover. It must wear him out for he comes home from the appointment and naps in his heated pet bed.
At large pet supply stores you will find accessories like denim and fleece playthings, stretch latex toys that squeak, even dental floss. When my aunt brought out Pumpkins’s latest toy, I was dumbfounded, it was an intriguing cube that would give the cat mental stimulation, exercise and relief from boredom.
Worried about your pet’s boredom? Some people just have way too much time on their hands. I have had a variety of pets, each one loved, but boredom? That is where I draw the line.
Nancee Harrison is a past columnist for the Greene County Daily World. Visit www.blondeladywithdarkroots.com or email her at blondeladywithdarkroots@gmail.com or send comments to Nancee, Daily World, box 129 Linton IN 47441.
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