Ultimutt Love

In a hilarious New Yorker cartoon sent out via newsletter earlier this month, a woman and her dog sit across from one another enjoying dinner at an upscale restaurant. Both sip wine as a vague city outline peeks through a window, providing a swanky background touch to an evening out. The woman, short-haired, looking concerned, and towering over her pinstriped-like-a-gangster dog, peers at the canine and says, “Perhaps I’m asking too much of you in the way of companionship.”

The scene is so funny because in many ways it’s so fitting. People go gaga over their pets, sometimes to the point of serious excess. (Just look at all those doggie clothing lines!) But not all animals are so lucky. In fact, approximately 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats end up in shelters every year, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Moreover, HSUS estimates that 3 million to 4 million are euthanized each year. Couple that with puppy-mill abuses and the mills’ wide-range distribution among big-name pet stores, and people should realize there’s no better place to look for a new best friend than the local shelter. Sunday, the Ritz-Carlton of doggie daycares, Bark Avenue Pet Resort, will host four rescue organizations, including Compassionate Pug Rescue and Coastal Poodle Rescue, for its “Give Thanks to Rescue” adoption event. The event is free and open to the public. A desire to adopt isn’t necessary to attend, just a desire to support the cause. Leashed dogs are welcome.

The season for giving is here, so if you’ve been thinking about purchasing a dog, give a homeless dog a home. You’ll save money and you won’t be supporting puppy mills. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. and lasts until 4:30 at Bark Avenue Pet Resort (1400 S. Federal Highway, Hollywood). Adoptions fees vary. Call 954-925-2275, or visit barkavepetresort.com.
Sun., Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m., 2009