Signs of a Maturing Community? - Tiny Toy Micro Teacup Purse Babies

Bed buddies, purse babies, teacups, tiny toys, micro rats, yipping hamsters, laprats, drop-kicks...however you label them, they're swarming. Here in Dulles South.


At Starbuck's, on the sidewalks, in cars - it's hard to get a quick jog up without fear of a "yipyipyip" "hey, get off my pookie!".

Why is this? Why are so many Loudoun Moms adopting a 3rd round of dependents, in these fluffymicro packages? Some may point to a maturing bedroom community, where the kids are now in school, the original family dogs have retired "to the farm", and the 9-2 empty-nesters are looking for something to dress, to talk to, to entertain...

Where "the new granite" of last year may have portended some degree of economic recovery, this year's micro poodle/rat terrier adoption wave just doesn't make sense. On the one hand, a new dog (small as it is) brings along lots of mess (from both ends), noise, vet bills, fleas, house destruction, wardrobe stress (!) and altogether more trouble and expense than one would think practical to assume in this economic context. On the other hand, perhaps the solace, love, companionship and just plain bitesize furriness is what's needed to get through the day.

Either way, watch your step, and watch where you sit.