Only In New York...

[TJL]

A rite of Paws-age

In bar mitzvah, a dog becomes . . . well, a dog

BY AMY SACKS
DAILY NEWS WRITER


Howie Binder, co-owner of Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! in Murray Hill, with dog Jessica. Binder’s business has organized “bark” mitzvahs for a handful of dogs, including one for Simon (l.), a Coton de Tulear who lives in Manhattan.


Simon the 'Bark-mitzvah' dog at his home in Manhattan.

He didn't get to read from the Torah.
But Simon, donning a prayer shawl and yarmulke, was surrounded by family, furry friends and platters of bagels as the Coton de Tulear recently celebrated his "bark" mitzvah.

"It's just another one of those things New York City dog owners do," said Simon's owner Beth Aronson, 27, a Manhattan sales executive. "He's a very socialized dog, and for him it was a happy occasion."

Religious-themed pooch celebrations are becoming increasingly popular around the city, even though they're not accepted in traditional circles.

"This is shtick," said Rabbi Andy Bachman of New York University's Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life.

It's not that Bachman, an animal lover himself, doubts that pets are God's creatures. "I'm just not quite sure they need or want a bar mitzvah," he said.

The ceremony doesn't quite match the real thing.

The dog of honor usually feasts on bone-shaped, all-natural cake and plays with stuffed toy dreidels and menorahs, while the humans light candles or share stories.

Karen Ngo will be hosting bark mitzvahs in the backyard garden of her recently opened Scout, a boutique and pawtisserie in the East Village.

At the Doggie Do and Pussycats Too! shop in Murray Hill, co-owner Howie Binder already has thrown a handful of bark mitzvahs, including Simon's.

Binder, who is Jewish, said the furry celebrations aren't intended to make a mockery of a serious tradition.

"In this city, pets are people's family, and they want to celebrate with their animals, whether it's spiritual or not," he said.

In general, few houses of worship in the city welcome animals to services except for some churches once a year during the Feast of St. Francis.

Catholic pet owners can call the rectory at any time to have an animal blessed but a pet cannot attend Mass, said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York.

Bachman said he didn't know of any synagogue in the city that allows pets.

At least one church, St. Clement's Episcopal in midtown, has embraced pooches.

Gerard Dis' 11-year-old dog Suzette, a black standard poodle, is a regular at Sunday morning services - along with Abby, an Afghan hound, and Otello, a tiny terrier, who sometimes barks during services.

"She's like my child," said Dis, 45. "When else would Suzette get to see 30 or 40 people singing beautiful music?"

Deacon Brooke Bushnong said the church invites animals because they make their owners happy.

"If getting you to worship means bringing a companion, then we encourage it," she said.


Oy Vey...

[Warm & Fuzzy]

Have you heard about the animal hotel, as well??

I'm serious, by the way.

[TJL]

Originally posted by Transit Whiz
Have you heard about the animal hotel, as well??

Oh yes. The Zagat survey gave it a 23 for service, but the decor was for the dogs...



Yeah, that was terrible.

[Warm & Fuzzy]

Originally posted by TJL
Oh yes. The Zagat survey gave it a 23 for service, but the decor was for the dogs...



Yeah, that was terrible.

Are you kidding me?? The hotel was actually SURVEYED???? You know, I heard that if you pay extra, they'll play classic dog-films too, like Disney's "Lady And The Tramp" and "Lassie."

I read the article on amNY and The Metro, by the way. Man, I ADORE these two newspapers. They're like the ultimate rivarlies, LOL!!

[dandelion wine]

Awww..

[Janice]

I'm a big animal lover myself, but this seems over the top. For religious people, I can understand having your animal blessed, but having them involved in traditional human ceremonies doesn't seem right to me.

I'm Catholic, but I wouldn't have my cat baptized, although he does get a treat filled Christmas stocking every year.

[crystals]

Originally posted by Janice
I'm Catholic, but I wouldn't have my cat baptized, although he does get a treat filled Christmas stocking every year.

I'm not that religious, and I would never get my cat baptized. That does seem kind of ridiculous to me, but whatever people want to do with their pets is upto them. I always give my cat toys every year, even though he's got too many toys as it is.