Matthew, where are your critical thinking skills? Hotel dogs, or "canine ambassadors," have the stable home environment and consistent, committed caregiving that all dogs require. While hotel dogs may interract with many people over the course of a day, as therapy dogs do, there is one person they call "alpha." Boston's famed Katie Copley is the family pet of her hotel's head concierge.
In contrast, Flexpetz dogs are pimped out to a variety of people, spending a few hours here, a few days there. Their environment, routines and caregivers are constantly changing. Consider the dog who's rewarded for lounging on one renter's sofa but swatted with a newspaper (or worse) for doing the same in the next renter's home. Confusing? Stressful? You bet. And animal behaviorists warn that stress often triggers aggression.
What then? The renter or an unsuspecting kid in a park is bitten and an otherwise good dog is killed. Does your homeowner's policy cover your assets if your rental dog takes someone's face off?
People need to think beyond their own short attention spans and commitmentphobia. (See Doonesbury, August 3, 2008.) No time for a pet? Then do without. Or help an infirm or elderly neighbor walk theirs. Or volunteer at a shelter.
A dog is NOT a ZipCar and shouldn't be treated as one. That's why the ASPCA, HSUS, Animal Law Coalition and animal behavior, welfare and law experts denounce Flexpetz--and why pet renting is now illegal in Massachusetts.
Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.
Colleen of MA @ Sep 15, 2008 08:55:59 AM
Aboutvqvdl @ Aug 17, 2008 06:54:13 AM
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