Run Maggie Run

I write a lot about the things that make our buildings and apartments great places to live: more innovative kitchens, bigger bathrooms, different shapes of living rooms, various types of amenities, bad architecture, and how our homes should adapt to the way we live today. But while all these things can affect how we spend our time in our homes, most are window-dressing. It's the people who live in the place that most impact our experience: our neighbors, our family, our guests, and our pets.

I've lived in homes of different shapes and sizes, but in all my memories of all the places I've ever lived, the people I ?lived with have impacted me most. The rooms are a blur, but the people are not.?

My first place in NY was a cramped 250SF studio, which I shared with my buddy Dave. It was filled with great memories. And years later, the tiny home where the six of us shared one bathroom was filled with some of my happiest times. On the flip side, I've lived in palatial homes I'd prefer to forget. The bricks may be the skeleton, but the people are the heart and soul.?

Second to the people, my pets have contributed most to my experience. My first memories of home were forged by my relationship with Major, our German Shepherd, who lived with us for the first years I can remember—not how big my bedroom was or the stove in the kitchen, but hanging out with Major on the terra cotta floor of our foyer. And I can tell you that the first thing our kids run to see when they walk through the door is Lulu, our high-maintenance but cute Labradoodle.?

Seventy percent of households in the US have pets, while only forty percent have children. With the lack of interest in people under 30 wanting to start a family or have children, the home of the future may be better adapted to accommodate cats and dogs instead of our offspring. We've been adding dog washing stations and spas to our building amenity offerings for a while now, but perhaps there's something else we can add to make the lives of our furry friends better. ?I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Side Bar:

One of my favorite tributes to a pet is by one of my favorite artists, Chris Stapleton, about his dog Maggie. If you've never heard it, grab a tissue and listen to it here.?

Let's do this-

Shaun