Hunter: More than a price tag—what that doggie in the window really cost
By Drake Hunter | Commentary, NE CO Newsroom, Rocky Mountain Voice
How much is that doggie in the window?
Remember this cheerful tune? It’s a jingle from another era, when the dream of a family pet felt as simple as a walk past a shop window. But today, that question echoes with heavier meaning.
In the aftermath of COVID-19, animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed—not with hopeful adopters, but with returned, surrendered, and abandoned dogs. What was once a feel-good moment, the impulse to bring home a furry companion during lockdown, has for many turned into complete heartbreak.
Behind the catchy melody lies a more sobering truth: the real cost of pet ownership goes far beyond the price tag.
The surge in pet adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedent...