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Original poster

To think I owe my dog so much

180 replies

Fernandfarrow · 18/05/2018 15:50

It's sunny and I've had a glass of wine, which may play some role (I'll leave it to others to decide how big or little...) in why I'm posting about my dog on Mumsnet on a Friday afternoon.

But seriously, I love my dog.

I owe him so much. We're childless and I spend a lot of time on my own as DH commutes to London for work and gets back very late (not an issue or a bone of contention, feel very fortunate that he works so hard in a job he enjoys) but I have a very flexible job where I can regularly work from home, so were it not for our dog I would be alone for most of the day.

Our dog is the best thing (other than marry) than we've done.

I love his innocent, non-judgmental little face, his gentle nature, how the tiniest event (breakfast, dinner, new ball, a butterfly, particularly interesting smell in the garden, a familiar doggy friend met on a walk) can inspire so much joy in him.

He's my reason to get up in the morning and my constant companion. I don't know what I'd do without him. Having him dependant on me to love him, walk him and look after him gives another dimension of purpose to my day.

Is anyone else grateful to have their dog/cat as their little buddy, whatever the circumstances might be?

OP posts:
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AliasGrape · 21/05/2018 15:02

Most of the dogs I had growing up and my dog now were all rescues @dancer - they’ve all been well behaved and just wanted love and affection. In fact the dog we had from when I was about 14 was absolutely the best behaved and most placid, obedient and easy dog ever without mum or I ever having to do a bit of training or management.

Hopefully the rescue centres will be honest and upfront about any issues and work to find you the right match. Don’t forget the smaller local rescues too.

As I said upthread my Fred was rehomed rather than rescued, his owner at the time had asked around if anyone would be willing to give a home, she happened to work with my sister and it fell into place quite easily. Again, he was pretty easy behaviour wise - I think I’ve probably made it worse over time rather than better, even with training. The biggest ongoing issue has been his health problems, cavaliers are lovely, affectionate and beautiful dogs with sweet temperaments, but they are very prone to all sorts of health issues, and the only sense in which he’s hard work is trying to manage that, manage his food etc because of allergies, worry about his epilepsy and manage any seizures etc. He also costs an absolute bomb in vet fees. He’s worth it though, and all the walking/training/ playing etc is a pleasure more than a chore - well except on the days you’re ill yourself or it’s freezing and peeing down!

Super outing but here he is...

To think I owe my dog so much
Dancergirl · 21/05/2018 16:13

He's so gorgeous alias Smile

I am signed up to borrowmydoggy.com and dd and I take a couple of local dogs out for walks sometimes. But it's not the same as having your own! It doesn't really satisfy the doggy itch, you take a dog out for an hour or so and however lovely and friendly they are to you, they go back to their owners who they adore.

BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot · 21/05/2018 16:15

are rescues suitable for novice owners

Yes. My dog is the first dog I've ever owned. A good rescue centre will give you "for the life of the Dog" support including behavioural training and telephone advice.

Best decision we ever made.

QueenOfMyWorld · 21/05/2018 16:47

I love my dog he's a character and gives the best snuggles

To think I owe my dog so much
Tara336 · 21/05/2018 19:44

My dog isn’t my best friend and constant companion. I got him when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, he gives me confidence, gets me out the house, keeps me company when I’m ill and when I was going through one of the worst times of my life he was there by my side loving me when it felt like no one else did.

I hate being away from him, dread holidays because I miss him so much. He’s a bit of a dick/dog sometimes but I really couldn’t imagine my life without him

Mytupenceworth · 21/05/2018 20:02

I had my dog for 15 wonderful years. He was my first furry baby! He was the kindest sweetest funniest must clever dog ever.

My husband used to work away a lot before we had kids and I used to shed a tear it two feeling lovely dog used to insist I rub him till my tears dried and I was smiling and focusing on him instead of being miserable! He used to sit under the bouncer or on top of an arm chair minding the kids when they were babies. When my son was a toddler he tried a few times to pull the tail off him and my sweet dog never reacted, just got sense and ran for cover! He gave me 15 wonderful years of joy and happiness.

Sadly he died towards the end of last year and it's still very raw I really feel I lost a member of my family. To those of you who may think it's silly to be mad about a dog I say why not? They are amazing! Cherish every second with them

Mytupenceworth · 21/05/2018 20:04

Or two
Feeling lonely (didn't preview)

Barbara1956 · 21/05/2018 20:29

This is my brilliant hound - Moses .He means so much to me and is a complete delight. As you can see his main hobby is hunting for tennis balls....he is very successful !

To think I owe my dog so much
To think I owe my dog so much
auditqueen · 21/05/2018 21:04

This is such a lovely, heart warming thread. It would be so good if it could go into classics? MNHQ please 🐾

helennnnn · 21/05/2018 21:06

What do you do with your dogs when you're working? I want a pet but worry about leaving them all day Sad

RussellTheLoveMuscle · 21/05/2018 21:25

Lovely thread op.

My gorgeous loyal, funny, smart girl has kept me going through a horrible couple of years, not sure I'd be here now without her.

movinonup I'm so so sorry Flowers

To think I owe my dog so much
VetOnCall · 21/05/2018 22:35

helennnnn mine have always come to work with me. There are 5 or 6 staff dogs who regularly come in and they hang out upstairs where there are several offices for the finance staff, practice manager etc. I walk them before work, at lunch - I have a 2-hour lunch break - and then again afterwards. I wouldn't have dogs if I had to leave them all day, it's just not fair to them.

ThisIsTheFirstStep · 22/05/2018 01:02

helenn I leave for work late (around 1) and my husband finishes in time to get home by 5, so he’s only alone for 4 hours or so.

If you can’t manage something like that, there is day care and also dog walking services.

I wouldn’t leave a dog more than about 5 hours as they do get lonely.

longtallwalker · 22/05/2018 07:27

Yes yes yes!
My dog is my third child.
And he's the one who is always happy to to see me and has the most unconditional love. I know it's not just because I feed him.
He thinks I'm fun! My DC are now 20+ and rarely think I'm fun.
I live his expressive face and tail. And they way he can communicate without words and understand me.
And the way he makes walks so
Much more immersive. Gosh I could wax all day about my dog.
He's 11 now and with two new knees but the energy of a puppy. Ooooo I could scraggle his ears right now 💖

CarolsSecretCookieRecipe · 22/05/2018 08:10

I love my dog too :)

He brings such joy and unconditional love into our family.

Loulou0906 · 22/05/2018 10:20

I love this post. No you're normal. I adore my little dog. Happy, affectionate and soooo loving she knows what you need when you need it whether is a cuddle or a bit of fun. All she expects from you is dinner and love!!! You're getting me all emotional. x

TomRavenscroft · 22/05/2018 11:20

I love all these pictures.

PositivelyPERF, Frank looks such a character!

Barbaro · 22/05/2018 11:27

Not got a dog, but feel the same about my horse. He helped me get my confidence back after breaking my leg falling off another horse. He would stand for hours at the mounting block waiting for me to pluck up courage to get on and walk round calmly even whilst I was shaking waiting for me to calm down. He's not even your typical bomb proof been there done that kind of horse, he was 6 at the time and newly broken in. Shouldn't have been able to cope with that, but he did. He takes care of me because he wants to, I've seen him repeatedly try to throw other riders off.

Hence why now with all of his physical issues I'm pretty strict about who treats him and ensure he gets the best care possible. Owe him a lot in a short space of time and no doubt if he can be ridden again I'll owe him even more. Completely wrong horse on paper for me but he's the best.

TomRavenscroft · 22/05/2018 12:16

He sounds gorgeous, Barbaro, and so mature and chilled at age six! I hope you get to ride him again and he continues healthy and happy.

Barbaro · 22/05/2018 18:42

Tom thanks, he is a lovely lad, hoping he'll be fit again soon.

Onemorning · 23/05/2018 06:30

Lovely post OP.

I have an elderly rescue cat and she's my little mate. She's currently lying next to me on the bed after a cuddle. She's affectionate and funny and likes to wash my hair as if I'm her kitten. I love the bones of her.

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 23/05/2018 06:35

So much love for this thread!

I think my dog is the creature I love most. I just prefer dogs to most humans.

AliasGrape · 23/05/2018 10:27

Thanks @Dancergirl not his most photogenic pose but one that really makes me laugh!

@helennn Well at first he’d be with mum in the day, then when I lived alone again I was lucky as my sister worked opposite where I lived so she would walk him at lunchtime, or I would nip home. The neighbours little girls fell in love with him and their mum asked if they could take him out as well sometimes, and one of my adult nieces would call in on her way home from work some days. So I’d walk him at 7.30 ish, leave him at 8, my sister or I would walk him again at 12ish, more often than not he’d have someone visiting mid afternoon, and I’d be home by 5. When I found myself doing longer days and not being able to get home as early I got a dog walker to take him out for a full hour at lunchtime, but I was never totally happy with that arrangement.

Luckily I then moved in with DP who worked from home so was with him all day. He’s office based most days again now but DP’s dad likes to walk him so he will come and collect him in the morning, walk his socks off and take him back to their house where one of us will pick him up. We’re very lucky with that.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/05/2018 10:49

Nobody will ever be so pleased to see you day after day, or even hour after hour, as your dog.
I often feel sorry for people who don't like dogs - I feel they miss so much. I know they'd disagree, though!

Talking of owing so much to your dog, I once heard an elderly woman on the radio talking about how she was snowed in miles from anywhere during WW2, with a very young baby.

Her breast milk had failed, and she had nothing else to give her baby.
However, she had a German Shepherd that had recently had puppies.

I don't have to go into detail, but she said she'd never forget how thankful she was for the way her dog accepted her baby, and how it got her through the few days until she could finally get out again.

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 23/05/2018 11:03

Lovely thread. :) My dog saved my life. I was suicidal when he came into my life and he gave me a reason to continue. I’m forever in his debt and he knows it! He can be a naughty little thing but I adore him.