We’ve all seen photos of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Taylor Swift walking around town with their pocket pooches in tow. You know the ones – the cute, tiny pups that are small enough to fit comfortably in their handbags and worn almost as if they are accessories to their designer ensembles. This trend amongst the highly publicized elite has moved into the realm of common, everyday folks like us, with pet lovers eagerly following suit by purchasing or adopting cute, cuddly canines. But has then trend gone the way of the Dalmatian craze set in motion after the 1996 release of Disney’s animated film remake “101 Dalmatians”? Shortly after the film’s release, the sale of Dalmatian puppies skyrocketed. Unfortunately, many turned out to be purely impulse purchases, with new pet parents not researching the breed beforehand. Sure, Dalmatians are cute and cuddly in the film, but in reality the shed, tend to snap and sometimes bite, and often don’t do well with children. As a result, many ended up in shelters.
So, how can a pocket pooch craze possible go wrong? Let’s look at Chihuahuas, the adorable little pups made popular by pop culture. In California alone, Chihuahuas make up 30 percent of the dog population in shelters. It is believed the large number is largely in part due to what some call the “Paris Hilton syndrome.” Some people following the trend make the commitment to welcome a Chihuahua into their lives but then realize they have the same needs of any other dog, and cannot simply be carried around in a purse as a fashion accessory. Once reality sets in, they often surrender the pup to a shelter.
A recent study showed the number of small breeds being turned in has increased by 120 percent over the past five years. Sadly, many potential pet owners, when making the whimsical decision to take on the responsibility of a pup, often think small dogs such as Chihuahuas, Yorkies and teacup breeds don’t require much attention and care. When they realize a commitment is needed, and they simply don’t have the time or the desire, it is too late. Celebrities likely have people on staff to care for their pets, but for the rest of us, even small dogs take up time with training, exercise needs, grooming, attention, feeding, and proper care if we want them to be well-behaved, happy and healthy.
We all need to remember pets are living, breathing beings that deserve to be looked upon as a serious commitment and recipients of our love and affection; they are not toys or accessories. Don’t take on the responsibility of having a pet unless you can make the commitment and stick to it, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. A dog’s life may depend on it.
