Gothamist: Commitment Phobe? Rent a Puppy

HalfJapanese

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:32:48 -0500

I'm a cat person.

bjornsaucey

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:32:25 -0500

I wonder if the dogs' rates correspond to a diamond ranking system.

JRod5417

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:21:33 -0500

Cucarachita- I think there is a big difference between a one day dog rental and letting your dog stay with friends for a couple of weeks. I like bklynd's idea.

Jen S

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:48:18 -0500

bklynd, you're right. My coworker is always lending her pug to friends. They're either taking him for a test-run, or just want to go for a walk in the park.

Steven

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:47:36 -0500

Stupid idea. Dogs are like children they need a steady place to live. The people who rent these dogs should be ashamed of themselves. If you want a dog go buy one or get one at a shelter.

cucarachita

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:50:44 -0500

Nonsense! Some dogs have the personality that goes very well with multiple owners and friends. My dog, due to my traveling and fluctuating financial circumstances in Europe, had to stay with different friends for a few weeks, or a few months, and even once for a couple of years. But I raised her in a way that prepared her for this, having taken her in on that condition. She thrived on the diversity, loved the changes, and was quite comfortable with it. Friends used to clamor for the chance to have her as their guest when I traveled. That said, having raised her, I always felt I was the only one who properly understood her. I knew which of all her friends was most beneficial or suited to her different needs, and I acted as her parent -- letting go when necessary, but hovering in the wings when she wasn't with me. People need to realize dogs aren't supposed to be treated like human infants and toddlers. They're dogs! They're social and like a measure of independence! They love all sorts of people, and being attached to only one person in an unhealthy manner is not good for them. Too many people want a dog that's totally dependent on them for their happiness, and create four-legged emotional wrecks. Let go, and let your dogs thrive in other people's company!

bklynd

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:50:26 -0500

Better solution - make friends with someone who has a dog. They will probably be more than happy to "lend" him to you for a day.

pazzia

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:24:27 -0500

true, the doggies might get confused about not having a constant companion, but it also gives them a good (i'm assuming) place to live. not a shelter, not euthanization.

bxbrian

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:21:48 -0500

This was on Eyewitness news about a month ago, FYI.

TK

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:07:50 -0500

We need FlexHipz - a company that rents out Hispsters. They escort you to a pillow fight in some public park, a DFA showcase at McCarren Pool, or maybe a NPR lecture series event!

JRod5417

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:02:42 -0500

I second OttoBloggo. I can't imagine it would be good for those poor dogs to constantly be shuffled from one home to another.

Peter

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:59:42 -0500

As counterintuitive as it might seem, walking around with an infant or toddler can actually help a person's romantic prospects. I've got a terrific business idea ...

dbc

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:53:15 -0500

I completely agree with OttoBloggo.

OttoBloggo

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:47:53 -0500

This "business" of renting dogs is pathetic and mean. Dogs—just like kids—desire consistency and predictability in their lives in order to feel content. To allow a dog to be shuffled around from part-time caretaker to part-time caretaker is really unfair to the dog.

anopneumous

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:22:42 -0500

That picture is way misleading. It took me half the post to realize that the lonely Scottish woman was renting real dogs, not robot dogs.