Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Pet Project

Rent-A-Dog Service Makes Its Debut

No time for a pet? Then rent one. A California company has begun offering Flex Petz, a new service for dog lovers who just don't have the time to care for a pet, or the space. The ``shared dog'' service is available in Los Angeles and San Diego. Its founder hopes to open new locations in San Francisco next month, New York in September and London by the end of the year. The annual fee is about $100 a year. Only dogs with social temperaments are picked for the program. The current 10-dog crew includes Afghan hounds, Labrador retrievers and Boston terriers.

10 comments:

Mega said...

Wow...just wow! You find the most interesting articles. I usually come here to read them. Whether I post or not, I read this blog everyday to get my news, ha!

David, I'm going to be on the ocean or near it for a week, when I come back I shall have pictures involving lots of water. If you have advice to give me when I see them, I will take it with an open mind sir. Thanks!

Oh and I loaned your book to 2 friends. Both loved it and bought copies to simply support your work. Good job.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Dan,

You have been such a staunch supporter, not just of my blog and my photography, but of my novel-writing as well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'm glad you like the stuff I post. I try and keep it simple, just to give people something to smile about every day.

Sounds like you're going to have a great week. Dawn and dusk in the vicinity of water are great times to experiment with a camera. Reflections are also great shots to try (have a look at a post of mine called `Sittin on the Dock of the Day' in Muskoka and you'll see one of my favourite water reflection shots.

Believe it or not, strong sunlight even at midday is great because of light sparkles reflected off the water surface.

Weather conditions don;t really matter. Cloudy or clear, skies and water are a great combination.

I'm guessing you'll also be able to compose great scapes, too. Look for quirky sights or signs or people, fishing boats, great angles or just unusual sights.

Also remember that sights you might find mundane are of great interest to readers in other parts of the world. A sight that makes you yawn would make us sit up and go `Wow'.

I'm really looking forward to these shots. Have a great week Dan.

And on my behalf, please thanks youor two friends who also bought copies of my novel.

Take care

David

The Insane Writer said...

What an interesting post. I guess this would be an okay service as long as the dogs and those renting the dogs do not become attached to one another.

Colleen said...

Hmmm...I LOVE Doggies! I think that's a fun idea. But like Insane Writer said, I would wonder if I wouldn't get too attached.
At the same time, I would actually go hiking alone, if I could go with a dog.

david mcmahon said...

G'day TheInsaneWriter,

Wonderful to welcome a new reader. Thanks for dropping by. Yes, the issue is certainly the attachment factor.

Crucially, humans can deal with the problem and rationalise it. But the dogs, I fear, will struggle to cope.

Thanks for dropping by and do keep in touch.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Colleen,

Yes, TheInsaneWriter hit th nail right on the head and you're so right with this.

Having a dog is like having another child in the home - and they bring equal measures of joy.

Keep smiling

David

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

What a TERRIBLE idea! Never mind the "owners" becoming too attatched, what about the poor dogs? What's next - rent-a-kid??

david mcmahon said...

Hi Carol,

Or rent-a-blogger maybe?

Keep smiling

David

Peaceful/Paisible said...

I just couldn't do that...have an animal for a few days or hours and let it go after...we have a dog, I found him and he's so cute and loving...but I do understand it's difficult to have an animal if you aren't at home very often...it's a good idea, but i couldn't do it...
but just thinking...elderly people are every sad sometimes when going to "old people homes "and can't take their pets...would be a good idea to have dogs or cats in such homes...the old ones could share them...
thanks for your so nice comments on my blogs
see you
Mousie

Anonymous said...

Oh how wrong - and how confusing for the pet.

I have two cats (and only don't have dogs because of our lifestyle)... I love them to death...

Very very upsetting.

:(