Awesome things about owning a dog

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Just thought it might be nice to have a thread where we celebrate our furry mates and talk about the good stuff :) Yes, owning a dog is a huge responsibility and you must go into it with your eyes open, but you get so much back. Today, I spent the afternoon lying on the sofa with my foot on ice (old injury flare up) watching a film. I had a snoring spaniel to my left with his head in my lap, and a snoozing cockapoo to my right snuggled under my cardigan. It was just so lovely to spend that downtime with living hot water bottles Come on, be soppy and tell me something wonderful about your dog.

[clam]

There's always a fabulous welcome when you arrive home. 2 teens and a dh will barely look up, but dog is SO excited. Ferrets around for exactly the right gift to bring you (shoe, a sock, an empty yoghurt pot, whatever), although won't let you actually have it, and a whole body wag.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Aw, clam. I know exactly what you mean The spaniel has to bring you a present. My cockapoo is more likely to be found walking around on his back legs looking like he's doing a salsa dance of joy. I am utterly smitten :)

[GeorgianMumto5]

You get to really appreciate the great outdoors, in all weathers and all seasons, and your dog loves you for it too.

[Blackpuddingbertha]

You talk to so many people. I frequently end up walking with strangers because the dogs are playing and we have a good chat. Can't think of any other time I do that.

Sometimes my dog actually does what I tell her unlike the children

And, yes, the sheer joy displayed when you've been out of sight for more than ten minutes

[NCISaddict]

The way mine talks to me with his ears, he's only 4.5 months old and his ears have grown faster than the rest of him. He sits down, tilts his head and waggles his ears at me. Makes me laugh every time I only wish I could waggle mine back.
His sheer joy at living, every day is full of exciting new things to experience.

[GemmaTeller]

Doesn't matter where you've been or how long you went out for they are soooooooooo glad to see you.

We had to take female boxer to the emergency vet late the other night, we were in the waiting room whilst the vet was seeing to a dog that had been hit by a car.
When the owner of the other dog came out of the consulting room she was crying (v.v. bad news) and came and sat opposite us, our boxer went over to her, put her front paws on the womans knee and her head on the womans shoulder and let the woman hug her and cry,

Myself, DH and the receptionist had tears in our eyes.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Aw, Gemma. That is both heartbreakingly sad and wonderful all at once.

[scratchandsniff]

the unconditional love you receive.

How they know when you're sad/ill and will snuggle up to you.

the look of sheer pleasure on their face when you take them for a walk.

just everything really.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

The companionship. Especially when dh has had to go into work and the dc's have been a pain in the arse and been sent to bed.

I've lost count of the times over the years I've said 'I'm so glad you're here' to a sympathetic pair of big brown eyes. He's always here with me. Sometimes he follows me round the house. I really couldn't be without him.

I've also be known on occasion to mutter 'should have stuck to dogs'.

[sebastianthesingingaubergine]

Seeing my 6 month old run in circles just at the sheer joy of being alive.

Walks. On our own is lovely, with the whole family is lovely. I love to watch her and my 6 year old son running together through the woods.

Her pretty face resting on my chest as we snuggle on the sofa. She loves a snuggle, and she is so pretty.

I luffs her I do.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I'm weird sometimes as I love walks on foul days when our pretty (and very well used) country park 5 minutes away is deserted and it feels like you are alone in this beautiful place. Just me and the dog.

I love when he puts his head in my hands and looks at me all soppy. Sometimes, I just like the fact that he loves to be with me.

[needastrongone]

When he's trying his hardest to sit and not jump up in excitement, but his whole body is wagging and wiggling in anticipation of a cuddle.

Bringing me a 'present' when he sees me (spaniel), charging round the woods like a loon, running between DH and myself like a loon cos he can't decide who he needs to love first.

'Purring' with joy.

This last couple of months, it's like the floodgates of love have opened for me, I can't ever imagine not having him here.

He's currently draped over DH, snoring.

Did I mention I'm talking to a gamekeeper about a litter of working cocker pups he had tomorrow?

[needastrongone]

Awww Gemma....

[needastrongone]

'has'

[bellasuewow]

Seeing them on a walk in their element, I look at them a lot and admire how beautiful they are. Watching tv with them and talking nonsense to them all the time. Being proud when I get comments about how well behaved they are. Spoiling and pampering them and feeling good that their life is a million miles away from their shitty previous existence.

[bassetfeet]

If there are no dogs in heaven then I am not going there. If asked of course. Always there when the shit hits the fan in life .
Mindfulness as therapy is there in a dogs eyes . So pleased cave man encouraged them to bond with us .

[ghostonthecanvas]

Our dog is old. He is deaf. His eyesight is very poor. Most recently his senility has led him to believe he is my dog. DH doesn't mind. I am ridiculously pleased that he seeks me out. He is so gentle and kind. We rescued him years ago and the joy he has brought into our lives is immeasurable. Tho when he first arrived it was obvious his previous owner fed him wine and chocolate. No, I don't share and chocolate makes you sick. 10+ years later and he still tries! The DCs love him and he puts up with all sorts of nonsense.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I love watching my dog work. The sheer pleasure in his bounding and running to pick up a pheasant and then racing back to me with it to sit and present it to me. You can see the pride vibrating off him. [

And yes to the walks on your own. Just you and the dog/s. Bliss.

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Great to hear, need.

[GiveItYourBestFucker]

Cuddles! And walks :) and the hopeful way he looks at the car on the way down the drive even though (a) that would be a drive, not a walk, and (b) peeing is required before car travel.

[ChestyNutRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

The little face at the window when I pull up in my car followed by the full body wag

When I lay on the sofa and he lays on my back with his nose pressed to my neck deep breathing, like I'm the best thing in his world

[ButThereAgain]

I like that fact that every detail of our daily schlep round local footpaths is so damned IMPORTANT that my dog at the front door will be in tears of excitement at the prospect. Hard to stay jaded with that level of enthusiasm at your feet.

[Owllady]

they make your house a home :)

I believe that of all my family though, but the dog is part of that

they are so pleased to see you even if you have been with them all day that their tail sets of in a circular motion and they look like they might take off
they worry about you more than humans if you are ill in bed
you are not allowed to leave the house without being herded up < hey I herded you come back, bloody hell owllady i herded you, you git - where the bloody hell are you going?>
all squirrels are the enemy and make for good entertainment
they will sit with you on a bench and look at the view and look at you at the same as if they know how great it is
they appreciate your cooking even though they are not allowed to have it
they smile at you when you tell a joke
they don;t backchat like the children
they keep your feet warm in an unheated house in the middle of the day when no-one else is home so you can't put the heating on cos it's just you
they give you love and companionship when you are low and feel alone
they run off and roll in pox poo but still look so pleased to see you when they come back, look how clever I am!
they teach you to get over yourself as a human being by being the most bonkers dog at training class/in the park/anywhere
Life is fun

[milkybarsrus]

When my dad died, my puppy made me smile again.