Okay check this story out. Sarah Harding from pop group Girls Aloud has a new puppy. Aah! He's all cute, and he's so little he hasn't even got a name yet. Sarah described the puppy as her "baby" as she took him along to a meeting with her on the day she got him.
Er, hang on she took him along to a meeting on the day she got him? Is she mad? That poor little dog has been suddenly removed from his mother and siblings, and everything familiar. A stranger is carrying him around with her, and now there's any number of strange people coming up to him, oohing and aahing over him. There's strange sounds, sights and smells. And germs of course. Presumably such a small pup hasn't even had his vaccinations yet?
Right now, Sarah should be at home, confining the puppy to one room, bonding with him, and beginning to get to grips with toilet training. Not gadding about with Fido Junior in tow.
Yes, I know it makes a cute picture, the little dog in Sarah's arms (I think he's a French Bulldog, but I could be mistaken), but it's not right. It sets a bad example, and reinforces the message that dogs are an accessory, and it's acceptable to treat them however we like according to what whim takes us. I hope for the puppy's sake that Sarah begins to take dog ownership more responsibly soon, and they have many years of happiness ahead of them.
Meanwhile, we are hard at work finishing off the latest episode of DogCast Radio. Here's a sneak preview - have you heard of the Russian Dog Wizard? You're in for a treat, believe me!
Take care,
Julie x