San Francisco Pet Rental Service Provides Part-Time Pet Ownership

[cassiesmom]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...,4845024.story
chicagotribune.com
Editorial

Too much puppy ciao

August 13, 2007

The perfect dog for busy urbanites will sit, fetch and roll over -- but won't stay. At least, not for long. That's the idea behind FlexPetz, a new California rent-a-dog service that provides doggies on demand, for a fee. If a challenging job or heartless landlord deprives you of canine companionship, you can borrow a dog for the afternoon or weekend. It's just the thing for when the grandkids are in town or after a nasty spat with your significant other.

Dog lovers who pay the annual fee, monthly fee and daily rental charges soon will be entitled to use their membership privileges at a dozen or more branches worldwide, sort of like belonging to Bally's or Blockbuster.

We wouldn't want to deny anyone a warm-and-fuzzy fix, but we're pretty sure Fido would say this idea really bites.

The last thing Fido wants, after a joyous frolic at the beach or a long hike through the forest preserve, is for his new best friend to pass the leash to a stranger.

Lifelong attachment is what the person-dog dynamic is all about. It's not just a Saturday afternoon romp in the park, it's the every-single-day predawn potty trot around the block. It's spending a vacation day at the vet because your four-legged friend swallowed a sock. It's remaining faithful through the late-life problems like hip dysplasia and middle-of-the-night incontinence.

If you're not up for all of that but still long for a pooch, save your money and volunteer at a shelter or talk to your local rescue group about fostering a pup that's waiting for a permanent home. Or borrow the mutt next door for your morning jog.

Anyone who has been in a relationship with a partner who can't commit knows what it's like to be checked in and out like a library book. That's no way to treat a date -- or a dog.

[lizbud]

I read that this morning too. I thought that's exactly how I wish I
could have expressed myself. I agree with it completely.

[cyber-sibes]

At first I thought it was a good idea as a way for people who were thinking of adopting to see if they were reallly up for the committment....but this comment:

I'm thinking it would encourage the disposable pet syndrome that is already so prevailent in our society. Pets are a lifetime care just like kids, I don't see too many 'rent a kid' places going for the childless couples do you?

changed my mind. What about the kids that get these dogs-for-a-day? What does that teach them about responsibility? You only have to care for an animal when you're in the mood? I hate to think a new generation is raised thinking they can just take the dog back and be done with it / leave the responsibilites to someone else.