Flex Pets: Providing Dogs for Rental Purposes
Another Brilliant Human Idea
I'm sure that the kind folks at "Flex-Pets" would counter with the idea that these animals would be homeless and/or abandoned otherwise (as opposed to the consistent regular abandoning this business provides). That they are afforded medical and veterinarian care. But it's just not a good enough argument and doesn't stand up against the emotional torture that these poor dogs have to endure. I don't know if the dog wouldn't be better off homeless or euthanized than thrown from (apparently 'Loving Family!!' to loving family), constantly trying to adapt to new surroundings, hearing new voices - thinking that it's found a new home only to be 'REJECTED' days later.
As a dog-owner myself I know my dog loves routine. He is a creature of habit. He likes to know what's going to happen and when (within reason). He knows I leave for work in the morning and when I'm coming home. When I'm home I show him the affection he deserves along with regular walking/exercising as any responsible pet-owner does. The weekends are as enjoyable for my dog as they are for me and he knows it's coming and is in doggy heaven when Saturday morning rolls around (as am I).
Searching the Internet for information on this unfortunately named company I found the following quote from someone (who will remain nameless because I suspect they are incurably stupid!). It reads: 'I don't have time to spend with them at home, which makes it really unfair to the dog to be sitting at home' & 'Being a part owner like this is great, I love it'. Phew, let me take a moment now. Let me make a cup of tea and calm myself. O.K., first off a dog will happily stay at home while you're at work if he/she knows that you come home every day and that you will show affection, play and exercise them. Both me and my wife work and have to leave our dog at home, but we have a happy, balanced dog who we love to bits and who returns that love. I'm sure that any dog would much prefer that situation to being thrown from person to person. Dogs are intelligent and emotionally giving animals and it's an abuse of the dogs love and trust to constantly do this to them. If you're too busy to have a pet full-time then 'DON'T HAVE ONE'. It's simple. Buy one of those robotic dogs from "Sony" if you must.
Take a wild guess where "Flex Pets" sprang up from and you will probably find yourself nodding with some modicum of understanding. 'San Diego' and 'Los Angeles' - 'California'. This is the same place that allows dogs penile enhancements for their insecure owners so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. They plan to open more of these establishments in Cities Worldwide and (another quote I'm assuming from the Company but can't be 100% sure as i can't find a web-site for them) 'Members will be able to visit a city abroad and rent a dog to stroll around with a furry travel companion'. Thankfully all of this has not gone unnoticed by the "Humane Society" and I can only hope that they fight against this ridiculous 'Service' gaining any more strength than it has already.
Published by Mark Carter
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47 Comments
Post a CommentDogs need and want to bond to their masters this is a stupid idea.
WOW i can't believe this actually happened! What is the world coming to...?
I have a wonderful dog that I love very much. However, he is the type of dog that needs interaction with other dogs. Since I can't afford another dog, I set up play dates with my aunt's dogs. This is great for people int he same situation.
In a way I must agree. Yet, there was a time that I found I actually had to borrow a friend's dog to keep a returning burglar away. But if this is a way to keep them from being put down.. I think of all the unwanted children and pets in the world and this article was heartbreaking to hear that there are just not enought people that actually want a full time fuzzy child or fuzzy friend. I must admit I am the mom of the WSS.
This is probably not a good idea for some dogs that need a stable environment, but for others that can adapt to and thrive with multiple families it is a great idea, especially when the other alternative is living in a small kennel at a shelter or being put to sleep.
Yeah, I love this flexpetz! It is such a wonderful idea. You could start flexkids, and start renting out kids from orphanages. After all, they were homeless and we are doing them such a big favor. Our ad could read, "Hey are you too irresponsible and busy to be a parent? Why not rent a kid for a few hours to amuse yourself and show off to friends!"
I read the website as well, and obviously not very impressed. I have had dogs all my life and cannot think of a single one that would be happy in that situation.
The FlexPetz website is www.flexpetz.com - it should not have been to hard to find (you mentioned in your aticle you were not able to find it). I don't know how or where you found out about this service, but perhaps you should have done some more research on it. From reading the website, it seems you don't have all the facts straight. Obviously, the ideal situation would be for all homeless dogs to have a loving, caring owner, but this is not possible. This service is taking dogs that have probably been abandoned by previous owners when the dog developed some illness or simply became too much hassle, matching them with a primary caregiver, and giving "visitation rights" to other people - kind of like Big Borthers/Big Sisters for dogs. Dogs who are not reacting well to multiple owners are adopted; the rest of the dogs are always available for adoption. This is not very different from foster care programs (which we do also do with kids).
Sorry that's a 1/4 acre fenced in back yard. That is what I needed before I was allowed to adopt a 7 year old Westie from Westie Rescue.
Many people do similar jobs as health care attendants, housekeepers, au pairs, etc. Let's see how this thing shakes out before we jump all over it. It might be a good thing. It is very easy to judge others. I could say that you are a bad dog owner unless you have at least a 1/4 fenced in back yard and a dog door into the house that allows the dog easy access day or night. I have that. Why don't you? I imagine that my dogs would go insane if they couldn't go outside to do their business at will. I would never say or think that.
Let's give flex petz a chance. I am a dog person. I have lived with dogs much of my life. Right now, my family has two small terriers (and kids a parakeet and guppies). I have examined the web site of this flex petz business. I am not as concerned as most of the posters.
Dogs are like people in that they have different personalities. Many dogs may find the rotation of people to be stimulating. The dogs that can't adapt to new situations are often older. The dogs in this program are younger. Some of these dogs are certified therapy dogs. Sounds like they would be ideal for a person who is nearing the end of life and would like a companion that will be unconditionally accepting and attentive.
This is a job for a working dog just like it is a job for a person. Many people do