I don't think it's just a change of heart or culture that has our dogs sitting on our couches and sleeping in our beds with us.
When I was a little girl in the 50's, our dogs lived outside. My brother observes that there is always a scratching dog in every family picture taken outside. I remember my mother trying to give flea baths to dogs out in the backyard.
I think it is simply the development of parasite preventives that allowed our dogs to move inside. Nobody who has ever experienced a flea infestation want to repeat it. But if the problem of fleas is resolved, why not let the dog in?
So I say a heartfelt thank-you to the pharmaceutical companies who came up with effective flea prevention. Eventhough I no longer use the topical flea chemicals, I rejoice that I have dogs living inside my home and sleeping beside me. It's an immeasurable improvement in my quality of life as well as theirs.
