San Francisco: Dog heaven, or maybe we ' re all just insane

Don't get me wrong, I seriously love San Francisco, where I live. And this is a great place to live with dogs. That's kind of the problem.



This is such a great place for dogs that people in other places make fun of us, pointing out that more people have dogs than kids here. (And I'm one of the people contributing to that statistic.) Now our own local media outlets are pointing the finger and laughing. The San Francisco Chronicle, for whose web site, SFGate.com, I actually write a pet column, ran this little bit of gentle mockery in the Sunday paper:

Nobody beats San Francisco when it comes to doting on dogs. It's a city with luxury dog hotels, rooftop dog cocktail parties, a pet cemetery and City Hall plans to turn dog droppings into alternative energy. And the urban legend is actually true: Dogs outnumber children in the City by the Bay.



There are an estimated 120,000 dogs in San Francisco, according to the city's Animal Care and Control department. There are anywhere from 108,000 to 113,000 children, according to U.S. census figures from 2000 and 2005.



Dogs dominate in part because it's becoming increasingly impossible for parents to afford to live in San Francisco -- 1,000 students disappear from the public schools each year. Also, a large percentage of the city's gay couples are choosing canines over kids, said Laura Cavaluzzo, San Francisco editor of urbanhound .com.



Add to that empty-nest Baby Boomers who are filling the void with man's best friends and San Francisco is starting to look more and more like Paris or Carmel, with cafe dogs lounging and specialty shops offering everything from dog massage to hot-pink pup sweaters that say "Biatch."

The article goes on to detail a restaurant where dogs are welcome to join their owners on the patio, and a list of the City's many off-leash dog parks. It's here, and worth reading, even if they are kind of laughing at us.

Comments

[Linda]

When I was in Italy, dogs could roam around - no leash - as long as they wore a muzzle.

[Evelyn]

Wonderful picture of the dogs and the seashore.

I am very envious, seeing the beautiful water and the dogs happy.



Some people are happier owning dogs. I personally do not see the problem, and am happy for all those dogs that get adopted. Why, I told my daughter's boyfriend about an adoptable dog at Petsmart and the dog is happy and plays with the other dog that the boyfriend owns.



Gave my daughter a stray cat--now she has three cats. No children. If she is happy, that is what I am concerned with. (Besides, she spends her spare time helping her dad and me when necessary.)

[Steve]

Dog owners are a different mentality. Cat owners in general understand many people just don't like cats.



Dog owners seem to think hey everyone likes dogs. Especially mine. It can do anything it wants.



Not quite! LOL sorry to be so blunt.

[Katherine]

When I lived in Germany they allowed pets in restaurants. Usually it was dogs, but one guy had a cat on a leash once. I wish they did that here.



On the other hand, these pets were always impeccably well-behaved. I wouldn't like to share a restaurant with a rowdy animal.

[Bee]

Ones not pet lovers are probably too concerned they just can't feel the same love we have for our pet companions ... hopefully, the light will come on soon before life denies them the opportunity. Just pray for them as the Lord loves his children, both man and beast, the same..