🏛️ The Feds Okay "Dog Dining"

In Today’s Email:

• Doggy Date Nights? The US Government is down.

• This pooch turned 217 years old…in dog years.

• Picasso unleashed a canine scavenger hunt at the Guggenheim?

• “The Squeeze” aka The Internet’s Best Dog News in 60 seconds.

• The Last Laugh: What we’re laughing with. Not at.

US Government Sees Rise in Pet Ownership. Bon Appetit.

Have you noticed a waiting line at your neighborhood fire hydrant? The US Government is acknowledging it, and it’s a heartening turn of events for pet lovers across the country. A recent surge in pet ownership pushed a new ruling permitting dogs in outdoor dining spaces.

The good guys will argue that this underscores the nation's commitment to promoting inclusivity and strengthening the bond between humans and animals.

The bad guys…well…here’s a quote from the other side: “I’d like to be able to enjoy my meal without having to worry about fleas, pet hair, barking and entitled dogs and their owners,” said Tracy Chiu Parisi, a food blogger in New York.

Regardless of your stance, the data doesn’t lie: the number of households with pets has reached an all-time high. As of 2023, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet. The steady rise in pet ownership in the U.S. comes at a time when pet insurance is also rapidly gaining in popularity. What was once an obscure insurance product has more than doubled in growth from 2018 to 2021. Pet owners are investing in the emotional bond with their animals. The government has decided to aid the efforts.

Previously, many restaurants across the country had enforced strict no-pet policies due to health and sanitation concerns. Adopting dog-friendly restaurant accommodations didn’t start until the mid-2000’s that a handful of states — including Florida and Illinois — began passing laws allowing it. 23 states now have such regulations.

The legal landscape is confusing: 27 other states don’t allow dogs in outdoor dining spaces, but they’ll let restaurants apply for a variance from their county health department.

Getting the feds’ blessing is a power move.

The Conference for Food Protection — a group of food industry and health experts that advises the government — asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue guidance for states. It cited a 2012 risk assessment in Australia and New Zealand that found that the health risk to human diners from dogs was very low. Boom.

Here’s the not-so fine print from the FDA’s updated food code: restaurants should have signs saying dogs are welcome and should develop plans to handle dogs and their waste. They should ensure dogs remain properly restrained and provide separate food bowls so dogs don’t use plates or utensils meant for humans.

Now, was that so hard?

• Here are Yelp’s Top 10 Dog-friendly Restaurants in case you’re looking to celebrate with a cross-country road trip:

1. Morrison Atwater Village, Los Angeles, California

2. Hideaway House, Sedona, Arizona

3. isa.bella Pizza, Pasta, Craft Beer, San Diego, California

4. The Alchemist, Wilton Manors, Florida

5. The Vox Kitchen, Fountain Valley, California

6. Yellow Dog Eats, Windermere, Florida

7. Tin Shed Garden Cafe, Portland, Oregon

8. Lost Dog Cafe, Folly Beach, South Carolina

9. OHSO Brewery–Arcadia, Phoenix, Arizona

10. Sunny Point Cafe, Asheville, North Carolina 

Overheard at a coffee shop:

“Gnocchi’s ball rolled under the sofa again. He looked at me…as if his problems are suddenly my problems. ”

“It’s a two way street. Bring him your student loans and see what he says.”

- Java Love - Sedona, Arizona

Hey, Guinness! Bobi Just Turned 31 🎉

That’s 217 in dog years, Carl. Do the math. 🙄

Also, ignore the Guinness shoulder tap… they already know, and they’ve smacked their gavels concluding that Bobi is the world’s oldest dog.

Bobi resides in Conqueiros, a rural village in southern Portugal. He’s a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed of Portuguese dog trained to guard livestock. He’s been only eating human food for the past 31 years alongside his owner.

So, what’s the doggone secret to his longevity? Human food? The Portuguese climate? His owner credits his lengthy stay on Earth to the “calm, peaceful environment” where he lives. Mazel tov, Bobi!

But…can you expect your dog to live that long?

The short answer is no…not 31 years; however, recent studies have shown that our pets are living longer than ever: the average life expectancy of dogs increased from 10.5 years to 11.8 years between 2002 and 2016.

Scientists want to take that a step further…

Matt Kaeberlein is a scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle and co-director of the Dog Aging Project. Matt’s goal: to keep our fur babies with us longer.

Their researchers are focusing on understanding the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to canine aging, paving the way for targeted interventions. By analyzing the DNA of dogs with exceptional longevity, scientists have identified specific genetic variations associated with increased lifespan. This knowledge could potentially lead to the development of therapies that slow down the aging process and improve the overall health and well-being of dogs.

They’ll soon trial potential anti-aging drugs among groups of pets. The first being studied is rapamycin, a drug that has been found to extend the lives of flies, worms, and mice in the lab. Not the easiest transition; however, breakthroughs require risk, yes?

Rapamycin is thought to mimic the effects of caloric restriction, which has been shown to help multiple species live longer. The drug works by blocking a molecule called mTOR, which controls cell growth and metabolism and responds to nutrient intake.

“I’m convinced that some of the interventions that we know extend life span and health span in mice will work in dogs,” says Kaeberlein. “It’s really just a matter of showing it through clinical trials.”

Can Bobi’s incredible life be the table-setter scientists need to unpack canine life longevity as a whole…?

…we’ll keep our paws crossed. 🤞

The Guggenheim Uncovers a Picasso Easter Egg 🎨

Can you find a dog in this painting? Look closely 👀

…don’t strain too much, friends. Picasso wouldn’t make it that easy.

The Guggenheim Museum’s new show “Young Picasso in Paris” opened last week and is comprised of 10 paintings and drawings made by Picasso upon his arrival in the French capital in 1900. “Le Moulin de la Galette” depicts a lively scene at the titular venue — a famous Parisian dance hall that was painted by other artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir. A sea of couples are seen dancing in fine hats, rendered in quick brushwork, with three figures seated at a table in the foreground.

Conservators at the New York museum have uncovered a small dog hidden beneath the surface of a “Le Moulin de la Galette”.

…hang on. Hidden beneath the surface of the painting? Yep.

Prior to the exhibition, the Guggenheim undertook the restoration of the painting, meticulously eliminating dirt and varnish. The process brought to light subtle intricacies that had previously eluded observation, including the nuances of brushwork, the vivid color palette, and the delineation of space within the artwork. Additionally, through advanced technical imaging, an earlier iteration of the painting was unveiled, featuring the presence of a lap dog in the foreground.

He’s wearing a freaking bow tie. Try and tell us that Picasso didn’t love dogs (and have an amazing sense of humor).

Touche, Picasso. Touche.

“The Squeeze”: Dog News In 60 Seconds

• 🍺 A Colorado man was pulled over for a DUI check and actually attempted to switch seats with his dog. We don’t condone drinking and driving, but we applaud the trust in Fido. 👏

• 💔 What if your new boyfriend didn’t let your ex come to visit the dog you used to share together? The New York Times has thoughts.

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine is littered with mines (💣). Patron, a Jack Russell terrier whose name in Ukrainian means “bullet”, is putting a stop to them.

• 💊 Aging dogs are doing their part to increase human longevity. Too bad we’re anti-human. 🤷

• 🏥 These are the 15 cheapest dog breeds for pet insurance. Flaunt that fur, ya studs.

• ✌️ Happy trails, Doomis! The labrador retires after 7 years of service as California’s agricultural detector. He flagged over 43,000 parcels that included fruit flies, nematodes and other plant pests. Reconsider that organic produce now, California… 😬

• 🎤 Ed Sheeran wore Maxine the fluffy corgi. Rumor has it he had a hard time not being the most famous thing in a room.

• 🌴 Florida just unveiled its most popular dog names. Spoiler alert: if your dog’s name is “Bella”, welcome to Gulf mainstream…

• 🐕 …and so did Alabama. Try to care, people…they’re the first state in alphabetical order, ok?! You may notice a bit of a 🏈 theme… #insabanwetrust

Today’s Last Laugh:

Monkey see. Monkey do. 🙈