Rag Dog
Many people would argue that dogs can't get embarrassed.
They may, in fact, be correct. But it's not clinically proven. And if anything could make a dog capable of feeling the subtle sting of a supposedly "human" emotion like embarrassment, wouldn't this be it?
Please note: Dressing your dog like this is legal.
But even if it is, and even if dogs aren't capable of truly comprehending such ridiculous get-ups, isn't it possible that human shame should step forward to fill the gap?
Rag-Dog.com is a website where you can buy cruel outfits for your dog. It's a nicely designed little site, offering basic styles (read: absurd) and special occasions wear (read: really, really absurd) for your dog. Its clean design and logical site organization ensures easy access to its wares.
But the soul of the site is this: The good people at Rag-Dog have decided to support their families at the expense of canine dignity everywhere. One can only imagine that there are no dogs on the company's board of directors to inject notes of wisdom or restraint into Rag-Dog's longterm corporate philosophy.
Briefly stated, that strategy seems to be this:
Step One: Round up some dogs. Get some cloth, procure a room, and find a couple of sadistic fashion designers.
Step Two: Whip up the funniest, most humiliating outfits imaginable! Dress dogs as ballerinas! Disguise them as pumpkins! Make 'em look like Satan!
Step Three: Profit!
And while one could argue there are a number of Asian restauranteurs who should be feeling even more guilty right now, it's hard to excuse the aesthetic nightmare that Rag-Dog presents.
According to most aspects of US (and world) law, dogs are only a couple notches above your La-Z-Boy recliner, in terms of rights. So it's fair to argue that a dog's owner has the right to do many things to their "property" — including dressing them up in bridal gown when no actual wedding is taking place, or even scheduled.
And one can argue that the pleasure a dog might give could be enhanced — in certain cramped quarters — if that dog were draped with a ridiculous human-style costume. And furthermore, the clothes keep the dogs warmer when it's cold out.
But, good lord. That doesn't make it tasteful.
