Why do you have a dog?

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

Just being nosey, really. Does your dog work? What makes you a dog person?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Our dogs make me laugh every day with their antics, they are comforting and cuddly.

Never thought I was a dog person til I met DP and his dog. Now we have a puppy aswell.

[GingerWrath]

Companionship, stress relief, he gets us out and about exploring the countryside, he makes us laugh, teaches DD about caring for another living creature, has helped DD's immune system...

[crypes]

What do you mean by work? Do you mean is it a Guide Dog or a Guard Dog or Sniffer Dog or Sheep Dog or is it a Stay at Home Dog?

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

The hound was marvellous this afternoon when DS came home tearful after a bad day at school. Just climbed up on to his lap and began licking his tears away. It was a kodak moment. Until he started on his nostrils. Snot is apparently very tasty to dogs. Still, it made DS laugh a lot so mission accomplished.

[fishybits]

The terrierist has just discovered snot, DD has her first cold

I have dogs that work, one is a half decent beater/picker upper when she goes out with DH on rough or walked up shoots. The terrier should be a fab ratter when she's old enough sometimes beats the lab when it comes to picking up too

We've got the dogs as company/security for me as DH is away a lot. I love the training side of things, they make me laugh, they make DD cry with laughter and it's impossible to be miserable lonely when the dogs are around. I wouldn't be without them.

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

Just being nosey, crypes. I'm secretly hoping someone will tell me their dog is psychic, or flies the trapeze. But sniffer dog or guide dog would also be cool.

[Daisybell1]

We have working sheep dogs. Well, I say working, what I actually mean is football playing, puddle jumping, hare chasing, rat slaying, molehill digging, stick chasing stomachs on legs who occasionally look at a sheep but then decide that football is far more fun.

They're happy, sunny creatures who love company and quadbikes, but who will nick the sofa the moment they see the back door's open

[crypes]

Mine are SAHD's, They walk the school run, supervise food preparation and wait in all morning for the postman.

[lauratheexplorer]

I have grown up around dogs. Dogs to me complete a family. My dog makes me feel safe, makes me exercise, shows me unconditional love, loves the DC's and vice versa, is cute as a button and makes me feel secure.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Because I can't not have a dog. I tried it once. I lasted a whole month. It was awful.

My dogs don't work. They are companion dogs, although the terrier often gives himself the job of guarding our house from Seagulls and carriers bags stuck in trees

I grew up with dogs. We had a collie x and a Lurcher when I was born. They passed away within months of each other when I was around 3.5. We got a doberman shortly after. She was ace. The best dog I have ever known.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

I was dog phobic as a child after a pretty nasty dog attack. I always swore I wouldn't pass that fear onto the kids so gradually I learned to like dogs though I was never fully comfortable around them. After many long discussions with DH we decided to have a Labrador of our own. One day, 12 years ago, a friend's Lab had an accidental litter of Lab/Collie Xs and Smudge the Puppy Dog came into our lives. We have never looked back. I love him to bits and he has added a dimension to our family that no other being could.

[Signet2012]

I have a dog because 8 years ago I graduated and went to blackpool for the weekend, couldnt drink because I was on antibiotics. Walked past a petshop. Saw him in the window, realised I was a grown up, had my own house, and the right money in my pocket and got him.

He is a SAHD. His responsibilities include: clearing a room in three seconds with deadly but silent farts, keeping my rubbish down by eating all left overs, lying in wait for post men, catalogue distributors, charity workers, religious cold callers. He also excels at ensuring that all hard flooring has ample covering of dog hair to be cosy, that DP never forgets his place, that we are aware of every passing car, bike, person, bus... especially buses.

What does he bring to my family: Mostly stress, but alot of unconditional love, giggles, cuddles, excuse for my own wind problems, a confidential listener, worry, heartache (when poorly) joy, responsibility, a best friend, protector, another tune to the barrage of snoring each night and a foot warmer upper.

:)

[annieapple7]

I just love dogs and I don't know why. We didn't have dogs when I was a child and I nagged and nagged and nagged for one, even picking up other people's dogs' poo to show my parents how committed I was (I was 8, it was 1980 FGS, no one picked up poo then!)
They relented when I was 12. Annie was my first dog and she was amazing, we had the best relationship, I think she thought she was human. She died when I was 24, I had to go home from work when I heard the news, I was devastated. We always had a dog after that...Hannah, a rescue, who died 2 years ago, Betty, who I had to rehome as she could not tolerate the children, and now the fabulous retriever cross Jacob. I was a month without a dog between Betty and Jacob, and as Dooin says, it was absolutely horrid.
I work from home so a dog is such wonderful company. And who would want to go walking without a dog?
I don't feel complete without a dog.

[teanosugar]

For all the reasons mentioned above.

I joke (but think I actually mean it) that mine are the grandkids I haven't got yet.

They make you excercise, make you go outside in the fresh air, make you laugh, are great for a cuddle.

at SAHD, I guess thats mine as well.

[TwllBach]

because I want a baby

[TwllBach]

I've always wanted lots of animals. Dogs cats horses on a big farm with seven children.

We aren't ttc yet but I do have a cat and a dog. I'm about two years behind schedule though...

[BasilDonna]

I have a working dog.
She carries my newspapers.
And she loves me which is hard work indeed.

[Lucyellensmum99]

Because i can't live without one.

[Melindaaa]

Not really sure why we got ours. I think I just went through a mad stage of thinking the ideal family has a dog. I'm not a pet person at all.

As dogs go, he's pretty perfect really. Has never messed in the house, never went through a chewing phase, isn't much of a barker. He doesn't leave hair everywhere but does need professional grooming every six weeks. The best thing about him I suppose is that he eats all the dropped food my toddlers leave everywhere. Except Skips. He doesn't like those.

[Stoney666]

Because when the lovely cat died they all begged for one. Never done dogs before. Read everything going. Chose a GR and it's my baby. Can't imagined home without him (even though he can Neva git)

[Aquelven]

Because I've never known life without dogs, not sure I could do it.
Grew up with them. Dad had working sheepdogs, mum bred & showed two other breeds. They were my friends, only child in an isolated spot, can't begin to imagine life without their company.

[AdoraBell]

Unconditional love.

They don't care if I won't let them have my iPad, don't care what the dog next door does on holidays, what car their owners drive. They don't expect me to run around cleaning up after them and make sure their collar is clean, ironed and put back in the kennel "by tomorrow". All they do is accept their food, walk with me, and lick my hands (I don't go in for face licking and if they get to my arms I get all blotchy and itchy within seconds). They'll listen for hours and in addition to all this, and the stress relief it brings, they are just so much fun to watch.

And when we were attacked by a stray a few weeks ago they defended the DDs admirably.

[NervousAt20]

I love my boy! He makes me laugh all the time and smile, gives me cuddles and when im ill is just happy to curl up next to me and be no bother. He has his own little personality

[Lizcat]

The mobile mop guards the office at work. He provides love and support when all around is awful.
He also does agility and is becoming pretty good at it a pity the handler is not quite so good.

[YakkaSkink]

The dog is an unashamed child-replacement for me , she's also someone else who likes exploring the countryside and playing on beaches with us, she provides doggy companionship to me and DS and to several friends whose health/ finances/ work commitments/ landlords won't let them have a dog of their own, so she has a rota of 'dogsitters' to visit. I'm hoping as she grows up she'll be there for DS when he's struggling socially as he has an autism spectrum condition.