Recently there was this news about an Italian couple who paid £7,000 ($14,000) for a private helicopter to take their cat from Rome to Sardinia because it was afraid of planes and boats. Which got me thinking, how much is too much ?

Some people believe that your pet, no matter how you love them, is a pet, an animal. As such, however much you love your pet, they require the owners to treat them like animals and not semi-humans. In addition, the owner should assume the role of leader of the pack in order to achieve proper discipline and obedience.

On the other end, there are others, like the Italian couple, who treat their pets like little furkids, and would do anything or give anything to them.

I can’t say that I have had a pet my whole life, unless you can count 2 years as being my whole life. But I have to admit that the day I adopted my dog Cookie Tham, is the day when my life went for a 180 degree change! I love the little guy very much and some of my friends are already screaming that I over indulge him sometimes. (but I have not booked a helicopter for him yet !!) Sometimes, you would not realise how over the top some display of pet affections are, until you hear them from someone else and go..."Opps... I am like that too !" So here are Top 10 signs that your pet is taking over your life. If you fulfil sign 1-10, time to do a sanity check and get a life ! :-

Sign Number 10 : Your dog has a whole basket of toys where he can pick and choose the ones he wants to play When he wants to play with you, he would clamour into the basket, dig and pick the toy he wants to play with you, then proceed to stuff the toy into your hands for a quick game of toss and fetch.

Sign Number 09 : You wake up early in the morning to cook meals like pan-fried salmon, steamed chicken with kiwi fruit and beef with macaroni. Even if he had to eat dog kibbles, it would have to be top of the line exotic flavours like Wild Kangaroo with Apples and Venison with Manuka Honey, which you believe, is chock full of extra nutrients to ensure his shiny coat.

Sign Number 08 : You have just purchased your dog’s kibble from the pet store and you are so worried that he might starve if the lift was taking slightly longer to come, so you would rather jog up the flight of steps to your apartment just so he can get to his food sooner.

Sign Number 07 : Your dog’s shampoo is not something from any ordinary grocery store shelf. It is only available at selected pet stores, have an exotic name like Espree, with 10 different scents with names like Berry Delight, Milk and Honey, Oatmeal shampoo. Oh and did I mentioned that your dog also has a bottle of paw moisturizer to keep his weary paws well moisturized from all that friction with the tarmac floor.

Sign Number 06 : The minute you say “Good Night” to your dog, he would find a sweet spot to sleep. It would usually be by your backside, feet, leg or close to your face where your pillow is. And when you wake up in the morning, you realized that you are squeezed in a corner, facing the wall.

Sign Number 05 : Every morning your dog goes to doggy school called K9 Campus, where he is picked up in a school bus, packed with a towel, feeding bowl and brush. The minute his school bus pulls up, off he scampers to class where he is taught obedience and acceptable behaviour, as well as how to socialise with other dogs.

Sign Number 04 : When asked how your imported dog came about, you would say that he came by “fur class” (ie. flown in an animal crate). When going on a holiday, you would also not hesitate your check your pet into a 4 star Pet Hotel with individual air con room, his own private backyard for his romps and most importantly, video camera facilities, where you can monitor your pet via an on-line web link.

Sign Number 03 : Your dog’s grooming cost more than your own haircut. You would only spend $100 every 3 months to get your hair cut. But your dog’s monthly grooming fee cost $100 each trip every month.  To be honest, I do feel that this one is a necessary cost, because people have said that after awhile you could end up looking like your pet. While I have a cute white Jack Russell, I most certainly do not want to end up looking like a scruffy mutt !

Sign Number 02 : Your dog goes to a private pool with a Jacuzzi jet, where she can relax in a 30 minute treatments like Hydro salt Bath, Aromatic Lavender Milk Bath, aromatic Body Massage, Dead Sea Mud Treatment and Herbal Bath.

Finally, the number 1 sign that your dog has taken over your life…. 

Sign Number 01 : Your dog has a profile on Facebook via Dogbook application. This add on application to Facebook allows you to create online profiles for your like Furkid ! You can also find friends for your dog, upload their pictures and send them loving messages. Word of caution though: you know it is getting out of hand when your dog has more friends on the online social network than you.

I guess in summary, there is no right and wrong way to love your pet, At the end of the day, the deciding factor should be how to get a certain level of discipline and respect from your pet. Do not decide on something for your pet just because it would make you, the owner, happy. Spare a though for your pet. That would perhaps be the best way to show that you truly love him.

Discuss this article on the forums. (1 posts)