Is rent-a-pet a good idea?

An Associated Press story details a company that sells time shares for dogs, giving "the doggie experience" to people who can't — or won't — assume the responsibility of full-time dog ownership.

The company — FlexPetz — started in California, but will soon be bringing its operation to New York.

This is not for the people on a budget. There is a yearly fee of $99.95, a monthly fee of $49.95, plus a daily rental (sorry, I know the company's owner doesn't like that term) fee of either $39.95 or $24.95 per day for weekends or weekdays, respectively.

Plus sales tax.

Plus a one-time fee of $150 for a pre-dog-rental one-hour training session in which you are to learn everything you need to know about taking care of and training a dog.

I was initially amused by the concept, but the more I think about it, the more I am totally against it.

Sure, some dogs might not mind having a different person on the other end of the lease every day. Perhaps a few dogs won't mind being sent back to a kennel after spending a weekend frolicking in the park.

The lack of consistency could mean that the dog will get harder and harder to handle as time goes by.

Let's say you join the service and commit (irony alert) to renting a dog for the minimum amount of days per month, based on the higher weekend day rate.

Here's what you cough up:

$150 training fee
$99.95 yearly account maintenance
$49.95 per month for 12 months = $599.40
$39.95 per day x 24 days = $958.80
Total for the year = $1,808.15

Plus sales tax.

If you have that much disposable cash and really care about dogs, how about contributing to your local dog shelter? How about volunteering at the shelter to walk dogs?

Yes, I know there are probably some people for whom this might be a good idea. But, there are too many negatives to think that this is good for anyone other than the person running the business.

Any other opinions out there?

A visit to the dog park

We finally made it to the Fishkill, N.Y., dog park, located in Doug Phillips Park on Route 52.

You can find it here.

Kate and I went there today with my editor Maria and her pooch Roland, seen below under a tree.

For the first few minutes we were the only ones there, but eventually a few more people showed up. With their dogs, of course. Nothing is stranger than someone who comes to a dog park without a dog.

The place is pretty large, and it has a double gate so the furry ones can't escape too easily. It even has an obstacle course for those dogs so inclined.

Kate, being an old gal, was content to sit in the shade most of the time.


You can see from the video how big the place is. Maria said that she had been there on the weekend when it was jammed with dogs. There are plenty of tennis balls to throw, and even a flying disk or two. Water bottles and waste bags are hanging by the entrance. There is a hose in the back near a couple of wading pools.

Kate found it extremely convenient just to lie down next to one of the water bowls — in the shade of course.


And under a bench, too.

I think the park is wonderful, and I wish more communities would provide safe and secure places for dogs to run and play off leash. Are you listening City of Poughkeepsie?

We will definitely go there again. It only took about 20 minutes, but I think we'll go on cooler days.

Not doing this blog for the D'oh

Go ahead and Simpsonize yourself. Click here.

My version — which, I will say before anyone else, isn't too far off — naturally features a T-shirt with a picture of Santa's Little Helper, the family's long-suffering, but faithful greyhound.

See you at the movies.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Chico —American Staffordshire Terrier/Dogue de Bordeaux mix
"Friend, pal, buddy — no matter what you call it, Chico is it! Handsome reddish-brown-coated AMstaff/Dogue de Bordeaux is searching for a partner, someone to take long walk, short runs and healthy naps with."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

No longer ready for adoption

This is Styner, a yellow lab. He was all set to be this Thursday's Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week.

I just got an e-mail from the shelter telling me that Styner has been adopted.

That is certainly good news. Congratulations to the pooch's new companions.

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Box o' puppies

Click here for a big, old box of 25-day-old golden retrievers.

Puppies!

Where's the paws button?

For goodness sake, get this kitten some real toys. Click here.

Let's hope that MacBook Pro is still under warranty.

I wonder what the kittie would do with an iPhone.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Muffin — Male tabby
"You can call him Stud for short! This male tabby is much more of a lover than he is a fighter, or even mouser! The handsome guy just loves affections ... come visit him and see for yourself!"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Wednesday cuteness

Click here for kittens and toilet paper.

What more do you need?

Besides more toilet paper.

Don't cross Don Piano

Here are some "talking" cats for your Tuesday amusement. Click here.

It's a good thing Kate can't talk. I don't have enough minutes on my cell plan.