It was a sunny Friday afternoon, and Emery Robinson, 23, and her black lab puppy, Moakley, were enjoying themselves in a South End dog park: Moakley tussling with peers, Robinson talking dog minutia with other owners. But a dark cloud loomed: a weekend barbecue at her boyfriend’s parents’ house, a party to which Moakley, 80 pounds of goofiness, was specifically not invited.
“It kind of hurts my feelings,’’ said Robinson, the communications director at a mental health facility, as Moakley cruised by for a pat, pink tongue lolling. “Your dog is an extension of yourself.’’
In other words, love me, love my pet. Or else.
At a time when owners are increasingly humanizing their animals — socializing together at “yappy hours,’’ vacationing at pet-friendly hotels, throwing “bark mitzvahs,’’ treating pooches to yoga, art classes, and designer wardrobes — humans have started feuding over something new: the pet snub.
Full story: For some dog owners, when pets are left off the guest list, party’s over – Boston Globe