Photo courtesy of @crusoe_dachshund
It is time to put an end to the unfair, unethical practice of exploiting our pets and children on Instagram. Now more than ever we have to realize that it is harmful to their mental-emotional state. As we sit back and like these posts we are promoting the manipulative silence of both children and dogs.
I am here to call out the adult men and women who have made an Instagram where they pretend that their dog is writing the posts. Your dog does not want this, Ryan. He never asked to become an influencer, because, and get this, he cannot read or speak. Your dog would like to be excluded from the false narrative that you have been writing him into. If anything he would be saying how he is disappointed in your 63 followers.
Rufio Maximus Fauria, @lil_rufio on Instagram, is a Pomsky with a 15.1k following. Last November, @lil_rufio posted a picture at The Bean in Chicago, Illinois with the caption, “The face I made when Dad made a joke about flicking the thing behind me #pomsky #chicago #huskypuppy #pomeranian.” A human adult pretended they were their dog and called themselves “Dad” on the internet. You’re not giving your dog a voice, you are systematically oppressing them by creating an unrealistic image for your dog to live up to. Instagram dog influencers, like @lil_rufio, have multiple sponsorships with companies that sell different dog products. Why have you stooped so low as to use your beloved pet as nothing but a pawn in your scheme for fame and fortune?
@crusoe_dachshund, a dachshund with 789K Instagram follows and 2.9 million Facebook followers is one of the most famous pet influences. Crusoe, the dog, has a People’s Choice Award, a New York Times Best Seller, and an entire line of merchandise. The consumer culture we live in is fostering a dangerous environment for these dogs. When is the last time someone asked Crusoe how he feels about the constant pressure and attention that comes from being a celebrity pet? Despite the positive captions manipulated by his owner, for all, we know Crusoe’s inner monologue is currently the song Lucky by Britney Spears.
Despite this nothing is worse than an unborn baby or toddler with an Instagram of their own. The disrespect and future humiliation you are bringing into your child’s world will never be worth it. I am looking at you, Lauren Burnham Luyendyk. Contestants of season 22 of The Bachelor, Arie, and Lauren Luyendyk created an Instagram for their daughter Alessi only 11 weeks into Lauren’s pregnancy. On Dec. 4, 2018, when Lauren was 14 weeks pregnant “Baby Alessi” captioned her Instagram picture, “I’m the size of a lime today, but I’m really excited for next week because I’ll be a taco on Taco Tuesday! This can’t be a coincidence. I hope you guys have a good week!” One day Alessi will be a young woman applying to college or a job and on the internet will be this. Why are you using social media to pretend to be your daughter and ultimately taking her away from a voice from her before she is even able to speak? The oppression of her individualism will leave her with lasting issues and a hefty therapy bill for you.
Finally, to my little sisters, Chloe and Charley, please stop posting in the first person as our dog on her Instagram account.
