DOGS MEAN ALOT TO NEW YORKERS

Here's another interesting article from The Star... I think the fine on owners for not picking up after their dogs is an excellent way to deal with irresponsible dog owners... do you agree?

The New York City Department of Sanitation has a rule which stipulates that dog faeces must be removed from the sidewalk or street. Otherwise, there is a fine of between US$50 and US$100.

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Dogs mean a lot to New Yorkers
TALE OF TWO CITIES NEW YORK:BY FOO YEE PING


IT sure ain’t a dog’s life in New York, not when you are the precious pooch of a caring American owner. New Yorkers have much love to give to their pets; so these four-legged friends always seem to have the best. They get to dress up and accessorised, besides trailing their masters or mistresses everywhere.


Paul (right) walking the dogs with her colleague in Manhattan, New York.These faithful canines would wait outside the bank or grocery store while their owners dash in to run their errands.

Once, a woman popped her head out of the supermarket entrance and blew a kiss to her dog which was waiting for her.

“Give me another five minutes!” she called out to her best friend, who was wagging his tail furiously.

Others get to ride on the subway train, comfortably nestled in their owner’s special bags.

“They treat the pet dogs like their own children,” said Angela Paul, who is a dog-walker.
Paul and her colleague were walking seven cute dogs on a frosty Monday morning when the temperature was minus 9.

“It’s cold today, so not many people send their dogs. Usually, my partner and I would be walking 14 dogs at one time,” she said.

Dogs need their exercise, so owners who are too busy to walk them would hire someone else to do the job.

The paparazzi often capture photographs of celebrities walking their dogs. Recently, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen was pictured going for a stroll with her three dogs in Manhattan.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has a rule which stipulates that dog faeces must be removed from the sidewalk or street. Otherwise, there is a fine of between US$50 and US$100.

So if the little fella decides to poo on the pavement during his walk, you must scoop it up and dispose of it properly. It is common to see people here taking out papers or small bags to clean the mess made by their pets upon completing their business.

A New York state law also requires that dogs be licensed. It’s just US$8.50 (RM30.60) for a neutered dog while the licence for the non-spayed ones is US$11.50 (RM41.40).

The Labrador retriever remains America’s top dog for 16 consecutive years, according to the American Kennel Club last month. This breed made up 14% of the club’s 124,000 registrations.

The club, which is the biggest purebred dog registry in the world, also named the poodle as the favourite breed among New Yorkers last year.

Taking the No 2 spot, both in New York and throughout the United States, was the Yorkshire terrier.

Here, pet shops sell a mind-boggling variety of products for dog grooming. A shampoo isn’t just a shampoo. There is vanilla, natural oatmeal or tearless shampoo to ensure great dog hair.
Let’s not even get started on the day camp and spa for dogs.

Bookstores here stock titles such as “Why Do Dogs Drink Out of the Toilet?”, “The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know”, “Planet Dog” and “Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul”. Of course, these are available in Malaysia as well.

It is fun to dog-watch here. Some are tiny ones like the chihuahua but others are awesome-looking beasts the size of a pony. At first sight, these giants surely make you take a few steps back.