Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What Next....!?

The other day I saw something that shocked me so much, I haven't been able to forget about it. It's one of those things that filled me with astonishment and disbelief, all at the same time.

My favorite store for shopping is The Bay in downtown Vancouver. It's an upscale department store, and it has everything. If I can't find an item somewhere, I know I'll find it at The Bay. Last Sunday I needed some new pillow slips, and where else to get them but at my favorite store. They were 300 count Egyptian cotton, marked down 65%, and in the color I wanted. How could I go wrong? When I shop at the Bay, I like to take the elevator to the top floor and make my way down through the various departments. As I stood waiting for the elevator, a woman with a stroller came past, and everyone -- including little old ladies and little old men with canes -- graciously stood aside so she could enter the elevator first. She pushed her stroller past everyone and into the elevator. Once we were in the elevator, we glanced down at the woman's stroller to have a look at her baby, and in unison, we all gasped.

Inside the woman's stroller was a dog. The woman was receiving preferential treatment from everyone, for wheeling a dog around in a stroller. She was talking to it as if it were a baby, and she gingerly pushed the stroller the way mothers do with new-borns. I didn't know whether to be disgusted or to burst out laughing. I looked at everyone else, and all I could see on their faces was amazement. Has the world really come to this? The next day when I was chatting with my brother, I told him about the doggy stroller, and he said he had seen quite a few of these around the city, and it shocked him too. He said he used to see lots of dogs on the beach, chasing sticks and being dogs -- but now they're being wheeled around in strollers, completely sedentary. I looked on the Internet, and you can buy strollers for 50 lb. dogs. My gawd, that's insane. People don't even put 50 lb. children into strollers.

This is Bailey -- a real dawg dog. Bailey would probably laugh at you if you tried to put him into a stroller and wheel him around like a baby. "Whaa ...? Who ... me? Yah, okay, I'll sit in your stroller. Just hang on a minute while I go over and roll in this raccoon poop first, and then I might chase some cats for a while."

Dogs in strollers ... Oh, goodness, just when I thought I had seen everything.

41 comments:

Leslie: said...

This is hilarious! That is, it would be if it weren't true! Imagine those poor old people allowing that woman with a pooch in her stroller to enter the elevator before them...what IS the world coming to?

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I thought I'll be first today, but Leslie pipped me to the post. Your blog has always been popular, but since Blog of Note its like a train station over here and coming back every day I keep on seeing why.
Now for dogs in prams. Tsk, tsk... Don't think most dogs will appreaciate it.

meggie said...

I think that owner is lucky she didnt get shoved off the elevator- dog trolley & all!

Miss_Nobody said...

I think my dog just snorted and i just thought he grinned a doggy grin....pish!

that strange one said...

Oh man.
Although I can't say I didn't see this coming... I mean, there's so many PETA people who put animals before humans, it was only a matter of time before they put dogs in strollers before they'd have a baby to stick in one.
But wow.
You don't even see those in Los Angeles. (See, people? L.A. is NOT as poisonous as New York wants you to believe!)

A human kind of human said...

Had a good giggle about your blog. I am sure Dogmatix would just love being pushed around like that - she is the laziest dog on earth. Then another thought crossed my mind. How sad! What vacuum did this lady have in her live that she is trying to fill with this "baby" ?

Paula & Skip said...

Just found your blog, reminding me first of my lovely time in Canada and how much I love The Bay. However reading on, not sure if I find it hilarious, rather sad and shocking. What a life for a dog!! Paula

the walking man said...

There is nothing else for it but to laugh.

Avril Fleur said...

Too funny! I once had a boyfriend whose parents were retired and his mother spent hours each morning washing and grooming their Bichon Frisé, and was so concerned that his feet would get dirty that he was only allowed to walk on grass. Any other time she pushed him in an actual baby stroller. I am not even kidding. They would pack up the stroller in the car and bring it wherever they went. I went on an outing with them, the dog and the stroller once and wanted to sink into the pavement from embarrassment. Their own son, my ex-boyfriend, refused to come with us!! I think the saying "more money than brains" may possibly apply here...

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Gee, what a bunch of prejudiced people...I am not a poor old woman, don't feel sorry for me or think I have more money than sense...just because I have a stroller for my cats...my niecesand nephews and friends kids love coming over and strollering my cats about and I love the fact something so simple can give them pleasure...that is what life is about, simple pleasures. Would you have taken away this poor old womans pleasure in life?

ivan said...

Ah well.

I was once described as a dog-in-the manger son.

Ruby Isabella said...

At least it is better than leaving your dog alone all day every day and not giving him/her attention or taking him/her out. If the dog gets exercise, then why not take your dog in a push chair in a department store............ Alright, it's a bit weird. Still, you have to admire her front and not caring what others think.

Russell said...

Heh!! I'll have to show Bailey he is now famous! He made it into your blog!! And, yes, he loves to roll around in all sorts of wonderful things including but not limited to raccoon poop!

And you are very correct -- there is no way I would ever get him into a baby stroller! He loves to run too much and is way too independent!

Let's see... as soon as Bailey is done reading the paper and has another cup of coffee I am sure he will take a look at his picture on your blog...!!

Bagman and Butler said...

Isn't it wonderful when you see something new? Life is varied enough so we can never get completely jaded if we keep our eyes open.

VioletSky said...

I have seen this, and I did actually point and laugh the first time!

When I was young I used to push the neighbour's cat in my old pram, but that was only up and down the block, though I once lived with people who tried walking their cat only to have to carry him home, so a pram for him might have been a good idea. BUT, dogs were made for walking, cats for sleeping.

Andrea said...

You should have said "cute baby. Kind of looks like you."

Or would that be too mean?

Dee said...

I would have stared, too! There are many extremes to human behavior and I think animals tend to bring them out.I've worked with animals most of my life, shows, breeding, grooming, and veterinarian, and thought I'd seen it all.

Deb said...

I have 4 dogs and love them dearly, but please they have 4 legs that are there for a reason.

Anonymous said...

I can understand it, if the pet is handicapped. But why push it around in a store?

Judi said...

Good one, Andrea!

Canarybird said...

I also used to push my cat around in a pram when I was a young kid, and the cat was dressed in a nightgown and cap. (Poor Sparky I'm glad you were so patient!) But I can only wonder why the lady had to take the dog into the department store.

Still I have heard of small dogs with arthritic legs who would otherwise never get outdoors for some air if they weren't either carried or pushed. And I heard of one lady who said her own arthritic arms couldn't carry her dog around too long so the pushchair was a real help so both she and the dog could go for a walk. So I guess there are always circumstances where it's understandable.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Hmmm,don't really know what to say. I don't find it all that strange----I put my little dachshund in the basket on my tricycle all the time to ride around with me. She loves it. She weighs a whopping 6 lbs. She sleeps in my bed......

Unknown said...

I was just complaining yesterday about how people completely disregard others by bringing their dogs where ever they go! Resturaunts, stores, farm markets, etc... It says no dogs that means 'no dogs!'

introspection said...

There are 22 comments to this post. It's a great post. I am the 23rd commentator here.
It surprises me to know that out of all 23 people here, not even one of you thought that the lady spent so much money to buy her dog a stroller..!! That much is probably a 1 month wage for a family in poor countries. That money could have fed a family of humans for a few days.
Sure there are disparities in lifestyles, but with internet and technology everyone knows what goes on in countries like Chechnya, Crioatia, Bosnia, and many such countries where human beings live below poverty level.
I dont mean to critisize the lady, but I can't help thinking that it is a criminal waste to indulge in such unnecessary luxuries for your dog however much you/it may love you/him.
My intention is not to hurt anyone's feelings. It just does'nt feel right. I am aware that there are expensive boutiques, dog parlours and shows for these pets, but I thought only the overly rich hollywood people and celebrities indulged in these crazy ideas. It comes as a surprise that general people do this that too at a time of a world meltdown where even some average human beings in your own country are suffering poverty and joblessness...!!
It's a pity that some people dont see life in a normal perspective. I guess it takes all kinds to make this world.

Hilary said...

I love animals.. dearly. I have my two cats, and Benny the Jack Russell Terror on weekends. I love them all enough to treat them with the dignity they deserve as a part of their species, and I not try to blend them into mine.

That said, over the years, the individuals whom I've noticed treating pets like four-legged human babies are those who have either never had children, or who are taking the empty nest stage of their lives hard. I don't know anyone who actually pushes their pets in strollers, but they come close to stripping them of their dog-pride or cat-dignity in so many other ways.

I think it simply comes down to filling a void. It's both humerous and sad at the same time.

scarlethue said...

I've seen cat strollers, which I guess I get, somewhat, since cats won't walk on leashes, and most people see them as part of the family too. But my dog is the same as Bailey. He'd freak out if you tried to zip him up in a stroller for a walk. The point of a WALK is WALKING.

But I get pissed off at people who overfeed their animals to the point of morbid obesity too. They think it's cute, their animals waddling around, eating cake from the table. But I think it amounts to torture, as these animals don't really have a choice to not eat it, and they usually end up dying slowly and painfully.

Veronica said...

Shame about the lack of basic, good manners and common sense shown by the woman with the stroller.

It's one thing for children to play with their animals and dress them up harmlessly, push them around in a stroller etc - it's another thing to still be playing the game as an adult....

TheChicGeek said...

So funny, Jo. So many people today treat their animals like humans. I know I spoil my puppy rotten, but I completely agree with you it can go too far. You are so right, I think the dog would much prefer to run and play than sit in a stroller. I know mine would :)

Scoobyloves2004 said...

I have to agree with the comment Introspection left. Though everyone here commented on how funny, strange, or just down right crazy the woman was, no one commented on the fact that she bought a stroller for an animal. What a waste of money on something so meaningless. There is a reason dogs were given 4 legs, just like humans were given 2. If the dog is too fat to walk, put it on a diet. If she is looking for attention, get a man, but to waste her money on a stroller for something that wasn't ment to be in a stroller. I was not able to afford a stroller for my first child. I would have given anything to have had that stroller she was pushing her dog around in. Some people can be so selfish.

Paula Slade said...

Amazing!! I was going to make a comment about "the next thing we'll see are car seats for dogs" - I took your lead Jo and Googled it first. Guess what? Yep, they have those too along with a pet snuggly. :-p

Nancy said...

LOL! This made my day!

Reminds me of when my daughter was little and she would put her cat in her little doll stroller and wheel him about. I can still hear her little high pitched voice calling "Darling! Darling! Come back darling!" when he tried of the game, jumped out, and headed down the street.

Nancy said...

Whoops - meant - tired of the game...

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I see them all the time, too. I guess they are for the ladies who have grown tired of carting their expensively dressed pooches around in handbags. It's hard to imagine any self-respecting dog enjoying such treatment.

As for the deference the woman at The Bay received even from the elderly, it's absurd and ridiculous. (And I am an ardent dog lover.)

Anonymous said...

O.M.G. I just posted something about the vet wanting me to get a $600 ultrasound done on my cat in case he had heart disease. People wrote in about pets getting braces on their teeth and silicone testicles once they'd been neutered. Apparantly, we've all completely lost our minds.

Kym said...

Jo...have you seen the purses that fit the littlest dogs in them?

Kimberly said...

Well..I do have 4 dogs. Three of them have their driver license. Strollers are so passe on this homefront...they drive, they don't ride.

Cedar said...

See this is where yet again you are nicer than me. I would have just went...OH MY GOD LADY I THINK YOUR DOG ATE YOUR BABY!!!!

Anonymous said...

What's next? Cross walks for animals? I just stumbled on to your blog--it's very nice!
--C. Taylor Brown
English Experiment
http://chriswasbrown.blogspot.com

Jo said...

Omigosh, thank you everyone for your wonderful comments. You are all so funny! Some things in life are just too much fun, aren't they?

Time got away on me today (I had ten minutes for lunch) and I haven't had a chance to answer all your comments, but they're all wonderful...!!!

Cheers,
Jo

agunes/anlifu said...

dogs should not be spoiled like that :) so dangerous... :D

agunes/anlifu said...

dogs should not be spoiled like that :) so dangerous... :D