Bitch, bitch, bitch

Come on, people, get a sense of humor.

A newly opened store catering to very pampered dogs, especially female dogs, is getting more than questioning looks for its name, High Maintenance Bitch.

The third word in the sign is widely visible at North 45th Street and Wallingford Avenue North, one of the main intersections in the Wallingford neighborhood business west of Interstate 5 and north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

"I am probably the most progressive liberal person in the world and I am personally offended by the sign," said Janet Stillman, executive director of the Wallingford Neighborhood Office. "It's so blatant and so in your face."

Who would have guessed that a "progressive liberal person" would turn out to be a humorless killjoy? And here's the kicker: the complainers just don't understand that the whole thing is meant to empower women. No, really.

"Our company is probably the most high-end pet brand in the world," [co-founder Lori] Pacchiano said. "We want to be known for growing from Seattle."

In the process, she said, one of her goals is to reclaim the word in its original meaning, a female dog, as opposed to a derogatory term for a woman.

"Our store is a dog store, but the concept and philosophy is directed specifically toward women," she said.

Uh-huh. And soon, I'll be opening a new pub in Boston called "The Potato-Gulping, Whiskey-Gargling, Baby-Spouting Mick." I'll be sure to let you know how well that goes over.