BBS II: The Bringing Back Continues

Dear. Mr. Gopnik.

As a long time reader and admitted fan, I enjoyed your Personal History piece titled Dog Story. However, while it was well-written, evocative, and substantive, I can’t help but feel disappointed in you and your choice to buy a dog from a pet store. What upset me even more was “aww-shucks”-apathy at the serious nature of the puppy mill industry. You wrote, “Shrewd enough to know that [my daughter] would never get us out of the city to an approved breeder, she quietly decided that she could live with a Manhattan pet store “puppy mill” dog…”

Firstly, laziness is not justification for supporting the animal suffering industry. If you truly considered imparting empathy to your daughter, you could have easily found an approved breeder less than an hour or so away. Look, I am not a passionate animal right advocate. And I have no formal connection to a shelter of any kind. But I do have a shelter dog, and we love him dearly. And the one thought that keeps entering my mind whenever I’m walking Barrett is how thankful I am to have found him. I do understand that people are looking for a specific breed and that they don’t necessarily know better about what goes on behind the scenes…hence, the puppy store industry. However, by your use of the term “puppy mill,” I’m assuming that you understand the implications of buying a pet store dog. Which is a shame. 

It’s not my intention to solely express disappointment—it sounds like your dog found a wonderful home—but I’m wondering how one can suppress his or her awareness of animal suffering in a bout of laziness. I only hope that when the time comes to find another dog you consider a shelter, and that one day, your daughter will understand that you can’t just buy things with being conscious and aware of the implications of said purchase. 
Hope you are well. And continued brilliance. 

Best,
Arye