DOGGIE

We’ve all heard pet tragedies, and the pet owners among us have tolerated heeding after heeding. So when my French faux beau decided to adopt a puppy shiba inu, I went easy on the warnings. Rather than listing the do’s and don’ts, I subtly inserted the pearls of wisdom I’ve gained from three and a half years of doggy mommyhood. My main concern was the puppy’s tendency to eat everything off the ground and everything in sight. This juvenile canine behavior provides a big problem in a city where streets are littered with chewed chicken wings, old gum and rusty nails. When Mia was a baby, I had to keep treats in my pockets during walks to deter her from eating off the ground. If her eyes were on me, she would miss last weeks pork bun smashed in the street.

Equally as important is a pet owner’s apartment. You may not have thought anything of that penny lying in the corner, but Rover will run over there and swallow it before you can say Lincoln. “Especially if you aim to leave your apartment, the floor should be spotless,” I would caution in the least bossy voice I could muster knowing full well that an apartment full of three party-loving male expats couldn’t keep a floor clean, even with a cleaning lady.

For a while there I was wrapped up in a different guy I was seeing, and the French dude was busy entertaining his French visitors. Several weeks went by before I saw him again, and upon seeing him I excitedly relayed that I would be writing about New York dogs every other week for The Vogue City. As if he anticipated my next question, a worrisome looked crossed his face. “Oh, and speaking of dog’s, how’s the puppy?” I asked.

“Something very bad has happened. I didn’t want to have to tell you now like this,” he replied. “The puppy died.”

“Wait what?” I asked, certain I had misheard him. The look on his face confirmed his former statement as true, and I took his hand, encouraging him to tell the story.

“I came home very late one day, and in the morning when I came out, the puppy had died.”

“How?”

“He suffocated in a bag of chips,” he said solemnly.

OMG Did he just say what I think he said? He did. He explained that the apartment was messy and a bag of chips was left out on the ground. The puppy went to eat it and somehow crawled into the lick the bag, couldn’t get out and suffocated. When they found him in the morning, his body was lying face first in a bag of chips. My heeding ran through my mind, but I bit my tongue. It was an accident, but could have been prevented.

So this puppy season, and yes, spring is puppy season, listen to those words of wisdom. And for real, keep your floors clean.

As I stood on the corner with one hand in the air and the other holding the leash of my well behaved pooch,  I watched yellow cab after yellow cab start to pull off to the side of the road  to pick me up and then like clockwork realize I have my four legged friend in tow and speed off.  I have become incredibly frustrated with this situation,  because I know that there are several pet owners who allow their dogs to behave in a less then respectful manor which has created a terrible reputation with the big apple cab crew. So, I thought it would be helpful to share some of my canine friendly cab secrets!

Most dogs see a window and instantly feel the urge to have the wind between their ears.  In your own car it might be acceptable, however, in a cab its important to keep Fido’s head, ears, nose and paws inside the car at all times. If you need a bit of help to keep them sitting still, Ruffrider.com makes the perfect, easy to use car safety harness, which buckles directly into the seatbelt system.  Retailing for just $24.95, the dog seatbelt is small enough for a quick toss in your handbag.   Now if your pooch is not one of the smaller breeds, or your hesitant to take a yellow cab, The Pet Chauffeur offers reliable door to door transportation  ranging from $30-$49 depending on the distance.  With the choice of a clean and ventilated crate or a three-point dog seatbelt, you can breathe a sigh of relief as your pooch rides through the city safe and sound.-Lindsey