Please pass the brain bleach: Hollywood dogs
By Gina Spadafori
July 9, 2009
Maybe I’m a tad cranky today (OK, definitely I’m a tad cranky today), but I am sick of reading about brain-dead celebs and the money they spend on their fashion accessoriesdogs. Today’s worst breathless crap e-mail from a publicist for people who really need to find out how most of the world lives:
“[...] will be featured in E!’s upcoming special about Insanely Pampered Hollywood Dogs withhighlights from a recent Hollywood-style Mutt Mingle featuring delicious treats for all, fabulous pet fashion and … many of our fabulous clients!
Hollywood has gone to the dogs and celebrities are more than happy to do what it takes to make sure their best friend has access to all the finer things in life. From a doggie hotel and spa to a member’s only country club, these are the places to sniff and mingle. E!’s Insanely Pampered Hollywood Dogs will take an insiders look at the day in the life of a Hollywood dog, and show you how far a wealthy pets parent is willing to go for the love of a good dog.
Gawd, I hate L.A.
Oooh, something to snark at. I am also feeling tetchy, must be something in the air…. :)
Yeah, reality gap alert! I saw a very happy dog today. He belongs to a homeless couple who have been living out of their car. He has a new lead and collar courtesy of the shelters outreach program to homeless pet owners.
They were hanging out in the shade. They had a big bowl of water for him and he is a friendly, happy dog who spends a lot of time with his family. Fingers crossed, the wife apparently has a decent job and they’ll be back in a place soon.
But honestly, while I am sure that there are happy dogs in Hollywood (and plenty of neurotic ones too), I doubt they’re any happier than this lab-pit mix type. “love of a good dog” means time and attention, spas and daycare are a pretty distant second or fourth or….
Comment by JenniferJ — July 9, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
Between crap like this and smug NYT articles about how the authors are too important and busy to train their dogs to piss outside, I really wonder about the moneyed classes. Is there some income threshold beyond which one’s brains atrophy? Or does it take talent? And either way, why is so much time and money wasted reporting on it?
Comment by Eucritta — July 9, 2009 @ 5:53 pm
A prime example that disproves the commonly held belief in some animal welfare circles that ‘poor people shouldn’t be allowed to adopt/own pets’.
If being wealthy automatically meant you took better care of your animals, Paris Hilton would be the finest ‘pet parent’ in the country.
Comment by Pai — July 9, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
Having money does *not* make you stupid. Being an ignorant, brain-dead psuedo celeb (or worse yet a poser wannabe) who’s more obsessed with style than substance makes you stupid.
I do not think there is a cure for this.
Comment by Janeen — July 9, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Eucritta, if folks would like to start giving me money and watching at what point my dog sense starts to atrophy, I’d be willing to volunteer to test that out…
Comment by Christie Keith — July 9, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Oh, geez, Christie … *I* was going to volunteer. *pouts*
Comment by Eucritta — July 9, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
“Eucritta, if folks would like to start giving me money and watching at what point my dog sense starts to atrophy, I’d be willing to volunteer to test that out…”
Have ya’ all SEEN some of the common-sense, “duh” studies our government funds?
Quick! Some one with kick-ass grant writing skill propose this experiment! We have lot’s of volunteers willing to “suffer” for science right here right now!
Comment by JenniferJ — July 9, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
Christie, your willingness to self-sacrifice in the interest of your pets is a never-ending source of inspiration to me . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 10, 2009 @ 5:56 am
The media at times make me want to puke ! (No offence Gina and Christie :), you know I luv yous)
Why do they (media) refer to these poor dogs (and often show dogs as well) as ‘pampered’. Most dogs prefer to be treated as an individual, not as a toy to be dressed up and posed with. Most showdogs are NOT ‘pampered’, they are treated with the respect they deserve, they usually live far more content, fulfilling lifes than the poor stressed out fashion accessories version of dogdom.
I used to be a dog groomer, it’s not pampering, it’s basic maintenance and care.
I have Rottweilers, and doG only knows they can attract the ‘wrong element’ as owners who only want them for the macho image/status thing, but these poor smaller dogs are really no better off are they ?
Comment by Alison — July 10, 2009 @ 3:30 pm