(HOST) Commentator Helen Labun Jordan has been watching for cultural trends that define her generation. . . and she thinks that a recent one will be good for young people in Vermont.
(LABUN JORDAN) Every generation seems to acquire its own moniker as its members approach 30 from the back to the landers of the late 1970’s to the Me Generation of the 1980’s to the Gen X slackers of the 1990’s. As my own generation reaches the golden age, it seems pretty clear that we have become the Generation that Treats Dogs Like Children.
We’ve clearly reached a watershed moment in our cultural fondness for pets. We’ve moved past the basic steps towards a make-believe childhood, things like doggie day cares and puppy parks. Today, we’ve reached the level of professional bakers crafting dog birthday cakes, DNA testing to determine the heritage of our mutts, and biodynamic dog foods that put the dietary directives behind human health kicks to shame. Dogs have clearly become the children of the new millennium. And this trend could be a major boon to social life in rural Vermont.
Vermont’s small towns have traditionally built activities for young people around their children. Which works out great if you *have* children. A night at the Met becomes a night at the school play. A trip to Fenway becomes a trip to the Little League game. There are plenty of weekend activities including entire museums- advertised as "Fun for the Whole Family". Those of us without kids have been left feeling somewhat bereft in a place not known for its lively social scene. . . until now. Now we have a solution. Now we have – puppies.
My husband and I recently adopted our first dog and he is a nearly perfect kid stand-in. We immediately took him on visits around the neighborhood so that everyone could meet the new arrival. We started to schedule regular play dates in which the young pups romp through the backyard while we discuss brands of food, toy safety and veterinary advice. And as is often the case with a child, our pup has brought the entire family closer together. For example, I recently discovered that my father often comes into town on business. I never
knew this before because he never saw a reason to stop by until there was a grandpuppy to visit. I call my mother every day with questions like – what would happen if you ate an entire geranium? I’m hardly ever jealous any more when I hear about the fun my friends are having in some big city – I’m too busy raising my dog.
Just as families once moved out of the city to raise children in the countryside, 20-somethings now move out of the city to give their dogs fields, woods, and mountains to explore. This single trend could give young people a reason to return to Vermont – and a reason to stay.
There is, however, one fatal flaw for the puppy-centered generation. It struck me at a recent baby shower where guests guarded against future sibling rivalry by including multiple gifts for the mother-to-be’s dog. The problem is that dogs as surrogate children are often a first step towards. . .well, real children. Which means that, sooner or later, we will just be the Generation that Treats Children like Children and that’s not much different from everyone else.
Helen Labun Jordan lives in East Montpelier.