Dog-ography in "Welcome to Dogtown, aka Austin, Texas"

A Facebook friend just posted the most amazing article on my wall, entitled "Welcome to Dogtown, aka Austin, Texas." It is literally one of the greatest articles for me to read, considering my love of dogs AND demography, the combination of which I just referred to as "dog-ography."

I have subtly hinted at my interest in urban and community issues including gentrification, and my personal interest in Austin's dog culture has fueled a professional curiosity as to how Austin's changes as a city are connected to it's relationship with Man's/Woman's Best Friend. Or child, as the article notes....because after all, I am a Dog Mom.

According to this article, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that only one-third of all dog owners view their dogs as pets. According to this study (unfortunately the year was not reported) the vast majority of people have a Dog Mom/Dad relationship to their dogs, which I think is very cool.

The article cites so many amazing statistics, it is difficult to know where to begin. For starters, Texas actually boasts the highest population of dogs out of any state--about 7.2 million. There is no accurate statistic for the number of dogs in Austin, but when it comes to dog services, we dominate even national rankings. We have 12 off-leash parks (more than any Texas city, and I STILL don't think its enough,) 40 doggy day cares, and roughly 200 dog-friendly restaurants!!! (I better get to eating!) Other unique services, such as dog bakeries and birthday party venues are mentioned. Zoom Room Austin is one location that I know offers birthday parties. While it may seem extravagant to have a full-blown party for a dog...you know I'd do it if I had the money.

And there it is! The kicker: Money. If there's one thing I've noticed about the majority of Dog Moms, it's that they are richer than me. The article cites that dog ownership is linked to higher income. One controversy that I've been meaning to address on this blog is cheap vs. expensive dog food, but I haven't gotten brave enough because I'm embarrassed to talk about it. It's one of those things that can make you feel very guilty if you aren't providing your dog with the best, most expensive food. But that's a post for another time.

I could go on and on about this article, but you should probably just go read it for yourself. One thing I found interesting is that most Dog Moms actually are single women, and that ownership dogs by single women has increased by 25% since 2006. 

This last quote I found to be particularly interesting about the Dog Mom effect:

"Studies have shown that a dog’s gaze stimulates the release of oxytocin in humans, the calming hormone that promotes bonding. It would stand to reason that if women are starting families later, they may feel the need to have that nurturing relationship,”

Ta-da! Scientific evidence that we are not "psychologically deranged," as some might believe us to be.

Some cuteness for you from an excellent "Dogtown" event, Dogtoberfest

Dogs vs. Kids: Can't We All Just Get Along?

As I referenced in my recent blog post on Dog Dating, there is no one way to be a Dog Mom. There are married Dog Moms, single Dog Moms, Pre-Baby Dog Moms, and NO-Baby Dog Moms, and I'd like to think there are Dog Moms with kids....you know, human kids? The kind with two legs? 

While the Dog Mom trend is commonly accepted as a form of "practice" motherhood, even endorsed by my copy of [The Nest] Newlywed Handbook, there are some who look down upon this lifestyle as "ridiculous" or "unnatural." However wrong I may find these statements, I also disagree with Dog Moms who dish it right back to Moms, making derogatory, stereotypical statements about human children in general. 

Can't we talk about why they're both great?

 I became attune to this controversy by reading two blog posts, one in response to another, written by two journalists. Tara, a Mom, has a blog called "Baby Steps," while Danielle's blog is called "Cubbie Tails!" and yes, you guessed it, Danielle is a Dog Mom. 

Now, the blogs aren't nearly as offensive as the comments are. But that's just the internet for you!
Tara's post, entitled "Sure to Annoy Some Animal Lovers," discusses her irritation with others "suggest[ing] that a four-legged friend is as important as a two-legged addition." People continue to argue in the comments, saying that women who love their dogs like children are "psychologically deranged" and Dog Moms dish it right back, denouncing children as "annoying," "obnoxious," and "self-indulged." The arguments go on and on.

Now, I'm not going to even claim that having a dog is the same as having a child. It's not. It isn't fair to equate dogs to human babies, but it also isn't fair to tell someone who loves their dog like a child to say they are wrong to feel that way. If it is important to them, that makes it worthy of respect.

I'm definitely not taking sides on this issue. I love dogs, and I love kids. Part of the reason that I love Apple like a child is because I want kids, not because I don't, I just know that I shouldn't have them right now.

The night before Apple found us, I had a baby dream. I had been having them all throughout my college years, and they made me emotional and depressed for the rest of the day because every time I woke up I had to "lose" my baby. I was disgusted by myself because in my mind I didn't want a baby, but my biological clock had a different agenda.

When I saw Apple, and when I found out how young he was, it was like he filled the hole in my heart that the dream had left behind. He became my baby in real life, (not my four-legged friend) and I stepped up to the plate to do everything I could to take care of him. He gave me a sense of responsibility. He gave me someone to take care of. I didn't choose to have him, he just happened to me, much like a baby just sort of happens, no matter how planned they may be.

I love Apple in a way that I have never loved anything before. I know when I have a "real" baby, I will love her in a different way, too. But I don't think my love for Apple will be tossed aside and become unimportant. Apple will always be special, because he took Steven and I when we were just a couple, and made us a family. 

We are a family, and we will all still be a family when we have human kids, too, and they will all be special and important in their own way. I honestly can't wait (oops!..I CAN WAIT) for Apple to meet our future kids.

Dogs and babies unite!