Julie Bowditch
I Accidentally Joined a Pet Parent Subculture
When I created an Instagram account for my dog, Brinkley, in January 2025, I had a simple goal: preserve cute photos and videos without overwhelming my personal feed.
What I did not expect was to stumble into an entire subculture.
At first, it was harmless enough. I discovered local pet-friendly businesses, training tips, enrichment ideas, and a community of people who love their animals as much as I love mine. Before long, however, I found myself immersed in a world of passionate opinions, endless debates, and surprisingly fierce controversy.
Should dogs eat raw food or kibble? Is crate training helpful or harmful? Are dog parks a valuable social outlet or a disaster waiting to happen? Should you adopt, rescue, or purchase from a responsible breeder? What is the safest way for a dog to travel in a car? Ask ten pet parents and you may receive ten different answers.
Adding to the confusion is a growing marketplace eager to convince us that our pets need more—more products, more subscriptions, more supplements, more gear. Somewhere between the training videos, targeted advertisements, and influencer recommendations, it can become easy to question whether you are doing enough.
What I have learned is this: there is no single “right” way to be a pet parent.
There are certainly best practices, trusted experts, and important safety considerations worth learning about. At the same time, every animal is as unique as we as humans are. The best decisions are often made by informed caregivers who understand their own pet’s needs, personality, and circumstances.
The longer I spend in this community, the more I appreciate the people willing to share knowledge without judgment. We all love our pets. Perhaps that common ground caries far more value than “winning” the debate.
If you would like to follow the adventures of one very cute local dog (bias acknowledged), you can find us on Instagram at @brinkleybb.