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Stella Captivates Audience

It is too easy to jump to the conclusion that the on the rise pet pampering trend is due to the upperclass societies such as the North Shore of Chicago.  It was easy to assume that the three privately owned pet stores within 10 minutes of each other is because it is the community that will pay for the services. While as I mentioned in my blogpost "We Love Our Pets" that it is true that there is a bigger market for it here, pet pampering is a trend all over the country. 

After further thought I remembered the dog that plays a bigger role than some of the other characters in the cast of "Modern Family", a hit ABC show. The show is about the typical modern American family, believe it or not. The dog is a French Bulldog named "Stella". The attention on the dog has grown immensely over the course of the show and has even starred in an episode. Stella has become a favorite and has even made her way into her very own article in People magazine.  

Stella in Bed

The purpose of the show is to remind viewers of their own family and memories. It is so successful because it parallels our own families so much and allows us to laugh at ourselves. By adding Stella into the show, she reminds viewers of their own pet. The dad starts off not wanting the dog but later ends up being her best friend, she gets a fancy collar, she sleeps on the bed--all things that could easily happen in many families. 

While pets are of huge importance in American families, things are very different in other countries on the pet-front.  When I was in Peru a few years ago there were raggedy mutts everywhere, ownerless and scrounging for food. This was the norm in Peru and in many other countries alike. My reaction to the wandering dogs in Peru alone showed me how much we as Americans value our pets. As a kid, every time I saw a dog wandering without an owner within a few feet was a time to play rescuer, check its tag, and return it to its home. In Peru, we were warned about petting the dogs because of potential disease and infection. What has led to the difference of the value of pets in different countries?