When we went to BL Ochman's last night, we met Benny Bix. Benny is the most adorable Labradoodle and way bigger than I expected. He's funny, playful, and anyone who thinks dogs don't have distinct personalities, needs to meet Benny! He exudes personality!
I'm writing about Benny because he's such a big dog - with big thoughts (I think - when you look into his eyes you see the brain whirring and you get the feeling he's literally thinking of the next trick he can play on you!), and I didn't imagine him that size. I mean, this is NYC. He lives in an apartment!
Well, meeting Benny has changed my perspective of owning dogs. One would think a cat would be the better pet in an NY apartment, but Benny gets plenty of exercise in Central Park, and he loves BL with the deepest affection a dog can show an owner. So, the whole - big dogs need a big backyard - issue, is moot, here.
Interestingly, during the cab ride to see BL, I saw a number of people out walking dogs. One woman was happily strolling along 5th Avenue with a Greyhound. I was pretty surprised! Most of the other people had little dogs - I saw a Sheltie, and a small mixed breed, and a Schnauzer. None of them seemed to be at all worried about where they were. They were on a walk with Mom (and/or Dad) and they trotted along as if everything was exactly right with their world. Because, I guess it was.
Would you keep a big dog in an apartment? Do apartments rule out the love and affection of a Benny? I don't think so. But, what do you think?
