Why do you have a dog?

[plire]

I've always wanted one; can never remember not wanting one.

Owned dogs for over 20 years.

Love their company
Love the exercise (sometimes enforced!)
Love getting to know personalities
Really enjoy dog training (positive stuff)

Why did you get a dog?

[MsGameandWatching]

I loved dogs growing up but was never allowed one. These days I am a single parent and my dog is my companion and friend and stops me from feeling lonely. People seem to expect me to feel sad and lonely but I really don't. He's just always there, there's always someone else with me. He sleeps on my bed at night and lies on the sofa next to me, he follows me around to watch me when I am doing things round the house. I can't imagine ever being without a dog. I've had dogs constantly for the last 17 years.

[DramaAlpaca]

Because DH had always had dogs & wanted our DC to grow up with them too.

I'd never had a dog & would never have considered getting one. I'd always considered myself to be exclusively a cat person.

Now I can't imagine life without a dog. I adore my two & they adore me. Especially the male dog, he's single pawedly turned me into a dog person just don't tell the cat

[TeresasGreen]

Every reason you gave. Plus the current (4th one) looks like i’d Like to. Strong, fast runner, good hair,

[BitOfFun]

Just for the real wonder of seeing that this entirely different species can love us so much. It blows me away. It's such a privilege to be in that position.

[DoryNow]

I just love the early morning walks, watching my great loon galumphing around with the joy only a dog can have at new smells, a stick or getting rid if That Squirrel. ( his life's mission 😁)

[bluetongue]

Long term cat owner and lover but have wanted a dog since childhood. Not keen on coat upkeep, grooming, mud or doggy smell so got myself a gorgeous whippet boy. It has been an emotional roller coaster of a first 12 months but we’re finally coming good as a team and I’m certainly benefiting from the extra exercise.

I’m also single and live alone so the companionship is a big reason for getting him as well.

[missbattenburg]

Because there is nothing more enjoyable (for me) than walking across a big, open meadow with a dog trotting along with you. The shared experience of dog/human walking is so much more than walking alone or just with people. I don't know why but I think it is because there is something in the crossing the species the become a united team, both enjoying the activity and each other's company...

Also, he makes me laugh like a loon with his big, old cartoon face.

[BestIsWest]

Because he makes me smile every morning, because he’s deliriously happy to see me, because he’s beautiful to look at, because he’s so gentle and sweet natured.

I’m not sure why we got no 2 though because he’s a pain in the arse.

[MasonJar]

Originally I got a dog as an incentive to exercise. Was surprised at how much I loved him and how interesting his personality was so now have 2 dogs .

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I grew up with dogs and always wanted one of my own - I enjoy the company, the walking, training, and just the general presence of a dog in the home.

Why do I have this specific dog? I had absolutely no intention of getting a dog at this stage in my life (despite how much I wanted one, which was a lot) but PestDog very much fell into my lap, and so I'm a dog owner by happy accident.

[RoseDog]

I didn't want a dog, never really liked dogs, dp always wanted a dog, not any dog but a staffie, I was horrified but after 14 years he wore me down a bit and I eventually agreed to adopt one but the rescue made you have a 2 week home trial, which I thought after 2 weeks it wouldn't be for us. After half an hour of an over sized staffie cross who didn't do a thing she was told had been in the house I knew that she wasn't going anywhere!

She dotes on me and me her, we've nursed her through losing an eye to cancer, various different paw issues, she's cost us a fortune in vet fees and we have her insured but I couldn't live without her, her main flaw is she is dog aggressive so we couldn't take another dog but when she passes we will be rescuing another staffie that is hopefully dog friendly so we can have 2!

[fourpawswhite]

I never had dogs until I married dh. Now I wouldn't be without them.

Friendship, companionship, mental health. I love my dogs so much. Getting to know them, they way they express themselves. I swear the little one laughs.

That feeling of utter bliss during a long peaceful walk when there's nobody but us. The cuddles, and utter devotion.

[Aprilmightbemynewname]

Every bloody day I ask myself why???
Then watch them enjoying life!!
Seriously hard work with 4 but worth it.

[plire]

These are lovely!

[GreenItWas]

Nose boops.

[Slartybartfast]

I couldn't be without, some one dumped a puppy on us pre dc, 24 years ago, on mark 2 Jack Russell,love now, love her, love taking her for walks, she is so happy to see me ☺

[Emmageddon]

My daughter gave me a puppy for my 50th. He was a reject Yorkie with wonky legs so no good for breeding.

My heart sank when I saw the guinea pig sized dog but oh my days. I love him so much.

His unconditional love for me and DH, his conviction he's bigger and better than other dogs, his joy at being included on holidays and days out, his soulful brown eyes, his insistence on our bed being HIS bed, and the fact we have made so many dogwalking friends through him, just meanseverything to me. He is a life enhancer.

[Littlewoo]

Because I get smell her ears and paws snuggled up watching tv! Could sniff them all day.
That and the joy she brings to our house

[Slartybartfast]

She is so happy to be out and about meeting people

[StormcloakNord]

Because he is the light of my life. Every sad day is made 100x better by just looking at his little face.

Couldn't imagine life without a dog these days.

[Wolfiefan]

Because I wanted a friend
Yep. That sad.
Because she's a wolfhound and they're just so special.
Because I love to walk but only with company.
She gives shape to my days and makes me want to get up every morning. Nobody greets me like my girl each day.

[BeyondThePage]

I did not want a dog, I do not want a dog, everybody else did so I got outvoted.

Basically I get to look after, feed, walk and make all arrangements for a dog I do not want, because we live in a democratic household.

He's a lovely dog, the kids love him to bits, but my life would be simpler if we had never got a dog.

(sorry, just being "real")

[Skippetydoodah]

Always wanted one, to the point a few years ago I spent a full day sobbing because we couldn't have one as we both worked FT at that point (in my defence I had PMT). Was never sure I wanted children but felt like something was missing and that something turned out to have 4 popcorn paws and a wet nose. She's changed my life, improved my mental health and brings nothing but joy, even though she's not the easiest dog in the world.

[Pettynotvindictive]

Make my house a home.

[Eenymeeny123]

Oh God this is making me sad. Lost my beautiful girl 8 months ago. I cried for months, she was my pal and my constant companion. A couple of months later we took on a cat who had been a stray for years. He is a gorgeous quiet cat and I do enjoy him but miss my doggy so much. I was offered a dog last week but I don't think the cat would stick around and the poor fella hasn't had any comfort in years until now.