You know how people with pets project personalities, pet peeves and cartoon voices onto them? It’s not pretty, but almost everyone does it, at least in private. Among the many fantasy aspirations I used to attribute to my Labrador/Shepherd mix, Lulu, was that she wanted to have her ears made larger and erect, a la Rin Tin Tin.

It seemed a harmless joke (especially because she is perfect in every way), but that was before I read about the growing field of plastic surgery for dogs. Yup, the future of veterinary medicine appears to be in tightening sagging teats and balancing asymmetrical ears. Lulu getting an ear-job is less funny to me now.

Proponents say cosmetic surgery is good for dogs. Brazilian veterinarian Edgado Brito put it this way: “If the owner thinks the dog is attractive, the relationship is better.” Ugh. First, horror. Then, recognition. He has a point. Not one I like, but there’s plenty of evidence that the way a dog looks can have a big impact on his or her quality of life. Take black dogs that end up at the pound: They have a much harder time getting adopted. It's known as Black Dog Syndrome. Not to mention, how the money and surgical expertise for cosmetic improvements could be put to better use helping dogs lead rich lives.

Of course, the answer isn’t better canine beauty through lasers, blades and Botox. That way, Michael Jackson lies. It's remembering that dogs aren't ornaments or accessories. They are whole beings best loved for themselves and not for how closely they approximate an ideal. In the future, Lulu will be a canine crusader for the "natural look."

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