Author: Robin Reynolds
Article:
It seems we have Paris Hilton to thank for something beyond
arrogant socialite self-indulgence. She has also spawned the
trend of "purse dogs." Purse dogs are any teacup-sized breed
which can be carried around in purse like a living accessory.
These dogs are often dressed in $100 outfits and taken just
about anywhere the owner frequents including restaurants,
grocery stores and doctor offices. Those of us with larger dogs
are supposed to keep them out of public places, but purse dogs
are to be forgiven just because they're small.
Recently, I was talking with my vet about the purse dog trend.
What she said she sees in her practice is that owners who have
paid upwards to $1,500 to $2,000 to obtain one of these teacup
puppies were unwilling to pay for even the most routine health
care. Confronted with a treatment estimate, they would either
let the dog suffer, turn it into a shelter or in the most
irresponsible cases, even ask that the dog be put down.
Whether a dog is large or small, ownership comes with some
inherent responsibilities. All dogs need to be exercised daily.
That means they need to be walked, not toted around like so much
luggage. They need room to stretch and play, not confined to a
purse with limited mobility. They need to be kept safe from many
household items that may be toxic to them. What happens if your
purse dog ingests something you've left in your purse like an
earring or chocolate? Trust me, after that, you'll probably want
to throw that purse out.
Most important, when you adopt a dog, you promise to take care
of him and that means you will provide routine and sometimes
emergency veterinarian care throughout his life. You should also
understand that just because you pay a lot for a dog, it does
not guarantee the dog will be healthy all of its life.
Bernie, our first Airedale Terrier, was the sweetest, smartest
and most lovable dog, but she was also the sickest. She had
allergies, low thyroid and at 5, she contracted Valley Fever, a
common fungal infection that comes from spores in the soil in
the desert regions of the United States. At the time, it was not
uncommon for both dogs and people to die of the infection and
treatment was very expensive. Bernie needed two pills a day and
10 pills cost about $150 in the US. Some people might have given
up at this point, but when our vet told us that we could get the
medicine in Mexico for about a third of the price, we started
making the more than 350 mile trek every three months for more
than a year to get the medicine Bernie needed. This was not
something we expected and at times, it was frustrating and
inconvenient, but it was also our responsibility to care for
her.
Bernie eventually recovered from the Valley Fever and lived a
relatively healthy life for the remainder of her time. We were
not heroes; we were just ordinary owners who knew our dog
depended upon us for her care. So before you buy that adorable
little teacup Yorkie or any other dog, be honest. Are you really
willing to invest the time, energy and money it takes to care
for a dog? To me, you're an accessory to a crime if you just
expect to treat your dog as some superfluous bauble. And we'll
always have Paris for that.
About the author:
Robin Reynolds is an award-winning writer who has more than 25
years of experience writing in a variety of formats. An Airedale
Terrier lover since youth, Robin lives in Tempe, AZ with her
husband, teenage son, and two Airedales. Visit <a
href="http://www.nicecreative.com">Nice Creative</a> and <a
href="http://www.lifetomax.com">Life to Max</a>.
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