In a World of Cutbacks, Dogs Livin’ the High Life

Dallas’s economy must be doing a-ok. In April, 2009, a dog park on steroids, called Unleashed, was opened in the city. The indoor park boasts 50,000 square feet of artificial grass for pooches to roam to their hearts content. As well, a doggie water park, grooming facility, supply store, and 2.5 acre outdoor park are parts of the facility. An automated tag on the dog’s collar charges the owner’s credit card upon entry into the facility, and owners can sip lattes worry-free as they surf the net on Unleashed’s Wifi while trained dog handlers watch the pups and break-up fights.  In a nation plagued with unemployment, deficits, and bailouts, why are dogs getting the long end of the stick? Why is there a push for owners to spend sizable amounts of their disposable income on man’s best friend?  Mega dog food company Alpo has noticed the excessive pampering going-on in the K9 world, and coined an advertising slogan “Quick, get that dog some Alpo!” to address the frou-frou world of doggie sweaters, rhinestone collars, and silk pillows debutantes like Paris Hilton have made ever-so-available.  Dogs should be dogs. That’s right – smelly at times, boisterous when excited, drooling at the smell of bacon. Whatever happened to putting Fido on a leash and taking him for a walk in the morning? Why are mega-conglomerate dog parks, which charge you for the open space that Mother Nature so amply doles out for free, becoming popular enough to be franchised-out in a recession?  Grab your leash, clip it to Sparky, and hit the trail. No Visa automated tag necessary. Save some money, support the economy elsewhere.