Animated Stars

Two new dog animated movies are slated to hit the Metroplex this month and both will most likely incite a run on the breeds portrayed. Beverly Hills Chihuahua is all about those pampered pooches that get toted around in designer bags by the 90210 crowd and Bolt is about a movie star German shepherd (a la Rin Tin Tin) that discovers he is only a "super-dog" on film.

The Disney film, 1001 Dalmations inspired a buying frenzy for Dalmation puppies, many of which found their way to local shelters when their owners discovered that they grow up pretty quickly and need lots of room to run. This "lifestyles of the rich and famous" take on the Chihuahua does nothing to promote the fact that these little dogs have no idea they are little unless they are dressed in diamonds and coddled like stuffed animals. They really are smart, tough little dogs who don't deserve the Paris Hilton rap. Let them be dogs for heavens sake. Dogs truly don't need to wear clothes and jewels.

As for German Shepherds, well I adore them but they require serious and consistent training. You also have to be very careful about hip issues when purchasing a shepherd and this should not be undertaken to satisfy a kid's yearning for a dog just like in the movies.

These silver-screen pooches are animated to be sure but the problem is that the real ones act look a lot like the ones on the screen and what four year old does not want a puppy?

Please do me a favor if you take wee ones to see these films. Buy them all the stuffed animals they want but please refrain from purchasing the real thing unless you know what you are getting yourself into.

Buyer beware and buyer be smart.