In the 1980s, I had a dog named Bella, a lovable mix of breeds. As an only child, she was my closest companion, much like a sibling. My memories of Bella are vivid:
- During the summer months, my parents would let her roam freely after breakfast, and she would explore the neighborhood until dinner time.
- I often caught a glimpse of her peeking out from the bushes after pursuing ducks near the marsh.
- Bella loved swimming in the stream behind our house and would chase after the mail truck and even the neighbor’s camper.
- At 6 PM, she would come inside for dinner, typically enjoying her Alpo.
- Before bed, she’d be let outside to relieve herself, and curiously, I don’t recall ever picking up after her.
- Over 14 years, Bella visited the vet only a handful of times.
- We enjoyed rides together in the back of my dad’s pickup truck.
This was the essence of dog ownership in the ’80s. Much like parenting, dog care has transformed significantly over the years. Today, I have a dog named Max, and the contrast in our experiences is stark.
Before welcoming Max into our home, I was aware that dog ownership had evolved, particularly with leash laws and pooper-scooper regulations. However, I was unprepared for the depth of care and attention required today. At Max’s initial veterinary appointment, I learned about the meticulous assessments of his physical and emotional well-being. The vet inquired about his socialization with various animals and people and even probed into his psychological attachments.
“Does he seem anxious?” she asked. “I’ve noticed that some dogs can become sensitive to their owners’ emotions.”
I hadn’t considered that my own anxieties could affect Max. I was already overwhelmed with parenting responsibilities, and now I had to worry about my dog’s mental health too! To help Max adjust, I enrolled him in puppy classes, where the instructor emphasized the importance of training and socialization. Contrary to my expectations, our goal was to cultivate fully functional canine companions who could thrive in society.
In these classes, I learned to avoid engaging with Max if he approached me with a toy. The idea was that playtime should be initiated by us, not the dog. This was a departure from the carefree interactions I had with Bella.
Furthermore, I discovered the trend of homemade dog treats, as store-bought options are often high in sodium. Each week, I found myself in class, sometimes cleaning up after Max, who would occasionally leave a mess right in the middle of the floor. Other owners seemed competitive about their dogs’ behavior, sharing tidbits about their pets’ achievements.
- “Frank has been house-trained for weeks,” one owner remarked.
- “Lola never nips,” another chimed in.
- “We only feed Maggie raw food,” yet another added.
And then there was the constant need to carry dog waste bags with me. Reflecting on my childhood, I asked my mother, “Where did Bella poop?” After a moment of consideration, she shrugged, “I really don’t know.” It was as if we had once been graced by a magical dog poop fairy.
Today, I’ve also had to learn about canine car safety. A stranger once admonished me for allowing Max to ride in the front seat. “What if the airbag deploys?” she scolded. It was a valid concern I had never considered.
Max’s safety has become a priority in other ways too. He loves to swim but learned the hard way that jumping into deep water can be dangerous. Last summer, he jumped into a neighbor’s pool, and we had to rescue him. Now, he wears a life vest whenever he swims, and I even bought him a kiddie pool to cool off during hot days.
Max has developed several allergies, which the vet informs me are increasingly common. He is now on a gluten-free diet that includes exotic proteins like New Zealand venison. His care has become so specialized that I wash his bedding with scent-free detergent and use organic shampoo that costs more than my own.
When I called the vet due to Max’s vomiting, they suggested he was likely stressed from holiday festivities—joining the club of anxious pets everywhere. To curb his barking, we tried a citronella collar, but it led to unintended consequences, making him anxious and restless.
Max now sports a high-end Italian leather collar and winter booties designed to protect his paws from salt and ice. Who have I become? I miss the simplicity of letting Bella roam freely, and I often wonder if Max longs for the same carefree experiences. Does he feel constrained by the training and restrictions placed upon him? Or am I simply projecting my own nostalgia onto him?
In summary, dog ownership today is a far cry from the past, marked by increased attention to emotional well-being, safety, and nutrition. The days of allowing dogs to roam freely seem like a distant memory, replaced by a more structured and, at times, stressful approach to pet care.
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