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Published on 09/23/1996 All articles from this issue

Yuppie puppies

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By Mary Cristy

A View from the Hills

Yuppy puppies are the pampered darlings of upscale New York dog owners who live in Tarrytown, Riverdale, Chappaqua, and other affluent communities where manicured lawns, lovely gardens, and decorator interiors are the norm.

While their young executive owners do what young execs do in prestigious Manhattan venues, the exotic hound of the house lives it up in day care where "pet nannies" minister to their needs, cater to their whims, and, if necessary, offer counseling and training.

Yuppie parrots, cats and possibly even a snake or two, are provided with their "birthright" which, their nannies avow, means

"to be with people" instead of left to languish all day alone at home.

Pets enjoy walks, naptime, grooming and boarding, for a price, of course. "Yuppie Puppy" charges a mere $20 a day. "Family Care," another pet facility, is available for $30 a day. Training and counseling are options that raise the price to a hefty $70.

For dogs who require jitney service with pit stops and treats, the going rate is $50 to $90 a day. For pet owners with weekend homes in the prestigious Hudson River Valley and Berkshire areas such resources are considered a yuppie puppy's privilege, another perk on the road to dog Utopia.

Yuppie puppies play in spacious rooms, enjoy wading pools, wall TV, and other amenities. At midday, when the strain of morning romps, and chomping on puppy treats kicks in, the lights are dimmed. Murphy beds are pulled down and pets unwind to a Brahms lullaby, or some equally appropriate music. Soon the little darlings are deep in dreamland, where there's nothing left to wish for, since they have it all right here.

"We try to discourage rivalry and back-biting," one supervisor explained. "Sometimes there are other behavioral problems."

For example: there was Jeffrey.

Jeffrey, a Basenji, went into a fit of sulks and refused to participate in group activities. "Balls and bones were tried, to no avail. Jeffrey refused to adjust." His eyes looked out on the world

glumly and reproached it. Jeffrey seemed destined to be a misfit among his well-adjusted peers.

"But suddenly it happened. The breakthrough came, and no one could say what brought about the transformation. We knew only that the loner became a joiner. Jeffrey's problem seemed to be solved overnight, though of course we'd been working with him

for more than a week."

Jeffrey now plays happily in the "small dog" area reserved for pups who weigh less than 25 pounds. Larger canines are provided with space commensurate with their size.

Wall Street attorney, Lilith Forester, whose toy poodle, Mimi, adjusted so happily to day care she was voted "Miss Conviviality," says, "Where else can you find this level of comfort for a precious pet? Doesn't this prove the world really has a soft side?"

Forester is right of course...if you happen to be a yuppie puppy.