8-9-11: A Time Share — with Pets
August 9, 2011 at 7:50 am 2 comments
Diane Darchicourt (left), Ginger, Tom Hall and Karen Spicer, on the WYPR steps.
If you live in a home with a dog, you probably know the many joys of having a friendly canine companion. The impulse to connect with dogs dates back centuries, and there’s a large body of science that even suggests that there are measurable, positive hormonal changes that occur in both dogs and humans when we interact.
Americans’ commitment to our pets is quite significant. We spend about $36 billion a year caring for them, and even the most devoted dog lover knows that there are some moments when that care becomes something of a burden. Two women in Catonsville and Ellicott City have an interesting arrangement that shares both the joys and the burdens of caring for a dog. Ginger is an 8 yr old Beagle who divides her time between the homes of Diane Darchicourt and her friend, Karen Spicer. Diane, Karen, and Ginger join Tom Hall to talk about how this arrangement works.
What do you think of the idea of sharing a pet? If you don’t currently have a pet, and you think you might be more inclined to get one if you could share it with someone, let us know. If you think it’s a bad idea, let us know that too. Leave a comment below, email us at mdmorning@wypr.org, or call our listener line at 410 -881-3162.
Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast 
1.
grouchypuppy | August 9, 2011 at 9:57 pm
We love it! If Ginger is happy too than why not share her? Most dogs have so much love to give, they can easily spread it between two households.
It all depends on the dog and their behavior. Love is love and if Karen and Diane equally love Ginger, and Ginger loves spending her time with both, this is a wonderful chance for two households to experience the joys of the animal human bond.
-Sharon
@grouchypuppy
2.
Katherine Stanka | August 10, 2011 at 10:00 pm
I’d love to share my dachshund! He just loves being with anyone and hates it when we aren’t around. If I could drop him off at a day time owner just so he could be around a person, everyone would be happy.