The weather in New York has dropped into the 30s, which means only one thing.

It’s time for dogs in sweaters.

[rant]
I don’t wish to offend the ardor with which dog owners love their dogs, but I feel compelled to point something out: dogs aren’t people. I don’t know what the EEA for various breeds of dogs are, but I do know, the advanced stages of mange notwithstanding, dogs have more fur per square inch than, say, a human. (Remember, I’m Chinese. Depending on what part of the world your ancestors came from, YMMV. You know who you are.)

Yes, yes, it can be very cute, but dogs don’t really need sweaters. And I’m damn sure they don’t need $100 cashmere sweaters from Ralph Lauren.

Also, and I acknowledge that this may be a sore spot, your dog is not your child. Just because you call it yourself its mommy or daddy doesn’t make it so. (At least I hope so.) I’m going to go out on a limb and start making sweeping generalizations about the sort of Manhattanite that feels compelled to kit her (and it usually is a her) canine out in a crewneck: For decades, your top priority has been your career and your Type-A personality keeps you from making the sorts of compromises that a mature relationship with another human requires. Well into your thirties and forties you come to terms with the fact that you will probably never “end up” with someone and get a pet (often a menagerie of them) to obtain the sort of unconditional devotion and companionship that is simply not available from people.
[/rant]

Posted by jeet at 06:37 PM