The Sunday Read: ‘My Goldendoodle Spent a Week at Some Luxury Dog ‘Hotels.’ I Tagged Along.’Sam Apple shares his journey with his goldendoodle, Steve, visiting luxury dog hotels, particularly Dogwood Acres on Kent Island, Maryland. He reflects on the evolution of dog boarding from basic kennels in the 1980s to today's extravagant facilities, questioning the excessive pampering of pets and its implications on human-animal relationships. The discussion reveals a significant increase in spending on pet care, showcasing how societal loneliness may be filled with deeper bonds between humans and pets, albeit without clear benefits to human well-being.
- The transformation in pet care reflects broader societal changes, with increased spending on pets indicating a shift in how they are perceived within families.
- Apple's experience at Dogwood Acres serves as a microcosm for understanding the American condition, where pet care has become a priority that often outweighs traditional human needs.
# Anthrozoology InsightsThe study of human-animal relationships and the psychological, emotional, and social complexities involved in these interactions.
