I had a dog in the ’80s named Bella. She was a mix of Border Collie and who knows what else, and she was my world. As an only child, I viewed her as my confidante and sibling rolled into one.
Memories of Bella
- During the summer months, my parents would let her outside after breakfast, and she would roam freely until dinner.
- I would occasionally spot her peeking out from behind bushes after a duck chase.
- She loved to swim in the stream behind our home.
- Bella would chase the mail truck down the street.
- Dinner time meant Alpo at 6:00 PM.
- She would go out before bedtime to “do her business.”
- I never picked up any poop—strangely, I don’t recall seeing any.
- Over her 14 years, she visited the vet maybe six times.
- Riding in the back of my dad’s pickup truck was a favorite pastime.
That was the dog-owning experience in the ’80s. Just as parenting evolved over the decades, so has dog ownership. Now, I have a dog named Churro, and I experience this shift daily.
Preparing for Churro
Before bringing Churro home, I was somewhat prepared for the changes. I was aware of leash laws and pooper-scooper regulations, but I was blindsided by the depth of care expected. At Churro’s first vet appointment, the veterinarian examined his ears and teeth, then proceeded to ask probing questions about his emotional well-being. Had he been socialized? Did he interact well with other dogs and children? Was he attached to me? Did he recognize me as the alpha? Did he show any fears or anxieties?
“Well, he does seem a bit scared of loud noises,” I admitted.
“Be cautious about projecting your own fears onto him,” the vet warned.
I already worried about my kids; now I had to think about my dog’s mental health too? I enrolled Churro in puppy kindergarten with the hope of curbing his biting and potty accidents. The instructor had loftier goals: she aimed for our dogs to be well-adjusted members of society, emphasizing the need for agility, obedience, and manners.
She instructed us never to engage with our dogs when they brought us toys; we were to initiate play. What a shift from the past!
She even suggested that we make our own dog treats, warning us about the sodium content in store-bought options. Each week, I brought Churro to class, only for him to run right into the middle of the room and relieve himself. Fellow owners would give me knowing glances as I cleaned up after him. There was a competitive atmosphere in puppy-raising.
“Oh, Max has been house-trained for weeks.”
“Lola never nips.”
“We only give Daisy raw food.”
And then there’s the ever-present bag of dog poop I find myself carrying. I asked my mom, “Where did Bella poop?” She paused, reflecting, “I don’t know.”
“Did you ever see poop in our yard?”
“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “I didn’t.”
We had a dog for 14 years without any evidence of waste, almost as if a magical poop fairy existed. Those were the days of innocence, when dogs had the freedom to roam.
Modern Dog Ownership
I’ve also learned about canine car safety. Apparently, Churro can’t ride shotgun due to airbag concerns. A woman in a parking lot admonished me for this oversight.
Churro loves to swim, but he learned the hard way that leaping into deep water isn’t the best idea. Last summer, he jumped into our neighbor’s pool and began to sink. We quickly rescued him, and now he wears a life vest when swimming. I even got him a kiddie pool after the vet warned about overheating during summer months.
Churro has developed several allergies, and the vet mentioned that such cases are on the rise. He now eats a gluten-free diet that includes exotic proteins like New Zealand venison. His eye and ear drops are part of our routine, and I wash his bedding in scent-free detergent. His organic, hypoallergenic shampoo costs more than mine.
One December, I called the vet because Churro was vomiting and not eating. They suggested he might be “stressed by the holiday activity.” Join the club.
We tried a bark collar that sprayed citronella when he barked, but it backfired when he snored and triggered it, causing panic. So, we had to choose between a noisy dog or a quiet one with insomnia.
His new collar is Italian leather, nicer than many of my own belts. The vet also recommended booties for winter walks to protect his paws from salt and ice melt. We bought him adorable little boots that look like Tom Brady’s Uggs. Despite our efforts, getting four booties on a squirmy pug proved challenging.
I miss those carefree days of letting Bella roam the neighborhood. I often wonder if Churro feels confined by all the training and watching. Does he long for the freedom that dogs enjoyed in the ’80s, or am I merely projecting my own nostalgia onto him?
In a world where pet ownership has become increasingly intricate, it’s clear that times have changed.
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In summary, dog ownership has transformed significantly from the ’80s to the present, with rising expectations for training, care, and overall well-being. While I reminisce about the freedom my childhood dog enjoyed, I navigate a modern world where dog ownership comes with a set of complex responsibilities.