The article in Slate was saying pretty much the same thing - that the owners were providing for the dog in every way, except giving him the love and attention he craved.

That's what irritates me - people want the dogs for status symbols, to make them look good. They seem to be oblivious to the obligations that go along with having the pets in their lives. The people that could provide a good home to a dog sometimes don't have the space, or the capability in one way or another for a dog, so we volunteer at shelters instead.