Admittedly I fall behind on some of the latest trends. So you can imagine my surprise when I went to a public park last week and discovered that the blonde woman in front of me chatting away with her best friend while pushing a stroller was actually wheeling around a dog, not a baby.
My initial reaction was disbelief and amusement. “Wow, this lady is really off her rocker.” As if dogs living the American lifestyle actually needed less exercise. Just half an hour later, on the other side of the park, I spot a man with a blue stroller, his Weiner dog happily peeking around from the inside. That was when I started to realize, with growing disappointment and some amusement, that these dog strollers were the latest fad.
At first I struggled to understand the phenomenon. You’re at a park, seeking exercise, with a canine companion who typically requires even more exercise. Yup, I’m confused. I was ready to write off the trend as a ploy to be current and à la mode.
Then again, we have seen children on leashes, so why not dogs in baby strollers? I did a little bit more research, hoping to find some drop of sanity left in humanity. And I did.
If you are an active person with a small dog, the dog can tire before the person does. Well, worry not, because now you can just push your empty stroller until your dog needs a lift. Another pretty good reason to bring the doggy stroller is when your animal is recovering from an illness and needs to reduce his mobility. Get your doggie all saddled up and enjoy the weather outside anyway. You may detect just a tinge of saleswomanship in my tone, and that may be because I’m still struggling to sell myself the idea.
Sure, there are practical uses for the fabulous and on-trend doggie stroller like navigating your dog through the crowded airport or subway, but there are two rebuttals in my head that I just can’t sort out. First, it seems like you chose a dog that is counteractive with your lifestyle. If you know you’re going running every day and you’re going to want to bring your dog, maybe choose a dog who will push you to run further and more often instead of hinder your distance. I’m sure you had your reasons. Second, while the idea of treating your dog like your own flesh and blood is in a sense quite progressive, I can’t help but think of the doggie stroller as excessively materialistic. You might spend as much as $200 on a stroller for your dog. That seems crazy to a person who is paying off her student debt at the rate of a snail and contemplating how to avoid being a waitress for the rest of her life.
A few things: when thinking about buying a dog, consider a size and breed that matches your lifestyle. Finding the right match will make you both happier. Second, if your dog is perfectly capable of walking around the park with you, please don’t force your dog into a stroller so you can be on trend. Lastly, socializing your dog takes repeated exposure. Try not to shelter your dog from socialization by hiding it away in your stroller. There are certainly specific instances when a doggie stroller seems to be the answer, but when the circumstances permit consider letting your dog take you for a walk!
