Dear Dr . Forsythe: Why do people in town feel the need to dress pets up in such silly sweaters and jackets all the time? Don’t they realize that perhaps the pet feels ashamed wearing those goofy outfits—perhaps the owners should take a moment and realize that there is a reason dogs have fur. Am I missing something?
Puzzled
Dear Puzzled: Yes, a sense of humor. The way I see it, the adoring pet owners of Sonoma are putting sweaters, jackets and other “bling” on their companions to shower them with love and show them off as beloved, treasured family members. Don’t forget too, that some pets do have arthritis or other conditions that require some extra protection when it is chilly. OK, I agree that sometimes it seems to go to extremes, like the woman I saw with her designer Yorkie in the square last week. The little pet had on a leopard skin sweater, collar and leash, and all matching her owner. Perhaps when owner matches pooch for outings on the square, it is time for an intervention!!
I must confess that my own dog Muldoon owns a few hats too. He has a set of Mickey Mouse ears from the Magic Kingdom, which he wears on festive occasions when he is feeling frisky and Annette Funicello-like, a Boston Red Sox cap that he wears during the playoff season, and a little orange and yellow beanie (see photo) with little peace signs around it that he dons from time to time since he began his imaginary pet playgroup, “paws for peace.” (Note: Muldoon started a little group of pets, “Paws for Peace,” but he is still the only member of the group, nobody was really interested in joining!)
The point I’m trying to makes is that many of us who truly adore our pets anthropomorphize them, and in doing so, behave in strange and silly ways. This also allows us to have extra fun in our lives, making them more than just pets, but true friends and family members. I realize that this makes you nearly lose your lunch at the thought, and I see your point. Please take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, as my good friend and talented dog trainer Jenny Germaine also sees the pet costuming as superfluous. “I’d never put anything like that on my pet, it’s too humiliating for them”, she told me recently. The moral of the story is “to each his own” but my sense is that most of us in Sonoma will enjoying playing dress-up with our pets for a long time to come. Thanks for your question.
Dr. F and “Doony”
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My husband and I were married less than a month ago, and we are trying to make plans to accommodate family members who are coming to visit us this Christmas. The problem is that my husband’s mother is allergic to cats, and we have two cats (who now live in “our” house). My husband offered to “board” the cats when his mom comes to visit, but I was thinking that it would be better for her to stay in a hotel. What do you suggest?
Honeymooners
Dear Honeymooners: This certainly is a nice juicy situation to be in after only three weeks of marriage! My feelings are that if his mom is very allergic to the cats, it may not be enough to board them at a facility. Just staying at your home, where the kitties reside, could cause her to be uncomfortable. I also think that it is really important with all the changes involved in a wedding, honeymoon and combining a household, that cats need stability and consistency, so pushing them into a boarding facility could be stressful and cause them to develop some problems.
Sorry, but I think mother-in-law should stay at a nearby hotel, where she will be as comfortable as a bug in a rug, you and your new hubby still have a little privacy, and the cats can rule their roost. (I mean, isn’t that why God created them in the first place??) The way I see it, this is a win-win situation, because there won’t be cats put out or frustrated, you and your husband will have less stress, and mother-in-law still enjoy her visit. Have a great first Christmas together!!
Dr. F
