If you read Ann’s blog today, you’d know that we’ve been watching the streaming series Joe Pera Talks with You (starring Joe Pera). While Ann was moved to write about Joe’s green bean arch, among other things, it was Joe’s dog, Gus, that inspired me for today’s Andy’s Corner.
Gus, a lovable basset hound, for some reason brought to mind the 1962 documentary Mondo Cane (which means “Dog’s World”). Those of us who recall that movie would have to agree that its vibe is the polar opposite to the subtle and uplifting tranquility found in Joe Pera Talks with You.
The Rotten Tomatoes description of Mondo Cane pretty much sums it up: the documentary includes scenes from across the globe of such niceties as “animal slaughter,” “bizarre religious ceremonies,” and “cuisine that is highly unconventional to the Western palate” [emphasis mine].
[Editor’s note: Although a jarring documentary, Mondo Cane’s Grammy-winning theme song, “More,” was quite soothing. If you don’t recall what it sounded like click here; I’m sure you’ll recognize the melody.]
The title more than the content of Mondo Cane initially caught my fancy. I’ve been itching to write about the changing status of dogs in our culture and what could be a catchier title than “Una Modeni Mondo Cane (A Modern Dog’s World)”? It later occurred to me that the world of the modern dog in the U.S. can be characterized by a cuisine that to the palates of most of the dogs on this planet may seem “highly unconventional.”
When Mondo Cane was released in 1962 the world for an average dog was certainly different from what it is today. As I recall, back then dogs were seldom neutered or spayed, pretty much had the run of the neighborhood, never were allowed on our beds, and, if lucky, were fed Friskies or Alpo. And to my knowledge “therapy” dogs were not yet invented nor were there glossy magazines like Modern Dog.
I don’t know exactly when dogs became “modern” but the pandemic surely accelerated the process. It seemed that everyone was getting a “pandemic” dog. According to a recent NY Times article, sales of pet products increased by $46 billion since 2018 and are predicted to reach $143.6 billion this year. I should note that given our level of spending at Swedes Feeds (our local pet food purveyor) and Chewy.com, Ann and I are contributing more than our share toward the pet industry’s predicted $143.6 billion!
As impressive as these dollar figures may be, I believe that to understand the modern dog’s world we have to go beyond the burgeoning inventory of dog owners and how much they spend on their hounds. I would suggest that the defining feature of modern dogdom is that dogs have transcended their “dog-ness” and have become proxies for human family members. And to my mind, nothing illustrates this transcendence more than the emerging canine cuisine scene.
To start with, it appears that kibbles are now so yesterday. In a NY Times piece entitled “Gourmet Dog Food Has Pet Owners Sending Kibbles Back,” Julie Creswell notes that new brands of pet food are aggressively marketing foods that resemble human diets. These pet food companies target wealthier dog owners who treat their pets as if they were children (“fur babies”). Devoted pet owners can even subscribe to have the dog food delivered directly from these companies.
Modern dogs also have the option of getting treats from canine-centric bakeries that are popping up from coast to coast. Maison de Pawz in New York offers “human grade” doggy donuts, cookies, and even Pop-Tarts. And just down the road from us in the town of Sonoma dogs can frequent the Three Dog Bakery where they can find an impressive variety of seasonal treats and gourmet dog pastries, including the bakery’s “famous Pupcakes.”
Another dining option for modern dogs is the proliferation of food trucks catering to their tastes. And there seems to be plenty to choose from according to the BringFido.com. I love some of the names of these trucks: Fetch, Fido to Go, Homegrown Hounds, Treat Waggin’, WoofBowl, Bone Apetreat…
And, if yearning for something a little more upscale, the modern dog can step out for fine dining at a restaurant. Christina Morales provides the lowdown in a recent NY Times article, No More Begging for Treats. Dogs Now Have Restaurants:
Dog menus have become the new version of children’s menus at some restaurants. Pet parents can now order their dog a steak or Alaskan salmon with steamed rice. The dog can wash that down with a nonalcoholic “beer” made of pork broth, or a bowl of Dög Pawrignon made with wild-caught-salmon oil.
[Editor’s note: click on the links above to appreciate just how far modern dog cuisine has come! In addition, you can find a list of restaurants with menus for dogs at BringFido.com]
In the end, the modern dog world is not really about what dogs eat. It’s more about how we humans are elevating our in-house four-legged occupants to a status nearly equal that of our family members. Such a thought was unimaginable not that long ago – and probably still is unimaginable to much of the world.
I have much more to say about this human folly but it’ll have to wait until after I feed Oakley and Wynn their evening meal. Tonight they’ll be dining on Orijen’s “wholeprey” biologically appropriate freeze-dried medallions made with free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish & eggs (and I’m not making that up).
B O N E – a p p e t i t ! !