Being a dog owner is the best thing ever?

[skinnylov]

I have never been a huge animal person, but after getting two puppies (after lots of begging and pleading from my daughter), at the start of may I have enjoyed it so much.

I honestly look at them as two other kids and am enjoying dog ownership much, much more than I thought I would. The pride I feel when they learn new commands and the love I feel for them when they're cuddling up is unreal.

Today I took them a five mile walk and they were mostly off lead, they were amazing, didn't run away once. Recall great and I was just so so proud.

I have suffered with anxiety and depression and they get me out of the house every day and other dog walkers stop and chat. It has been amazing for my mental health.

Of course they're not perfect, they are messy and they bark and they don't always follow commands but my god I am enjoying this experience so much

When we first brought them home I was so regretful thinking I'd made a massive mistake for weeks, now I couldn't imagine my life without them.

I feel they are like kids, hard work but worth it. I have two cats and have never felt this pride and enjoyment from them (although I love them dearly of course).

Aw, this is so lovely OP ❤️ And you are right, it IS the best thing!

YANBU Op. I love my two dogs and just back from a beautiful summer evening walk around the wheat fields feeling very lucky to have them and the good stuff that comes with them. My two are litter mates, nearly 13 years old and no issues. Enjoy your pups.

I agree!

i had mine in 2020, something i had considered for a year - and honestly she’s been life changing. I genuinely love her more than any human and can’t imagine life without her now!

She has the best nature - brilliant with dogs and children, she loves everyone! Loving and gentle.

she isn’t always easy - and life has lost dog free spontaneous adventure but i’ve just been finding more and more dog friendly adventure instead. Really blessed to have friends and family who are always happy to see her too. Any new partner in my life better love her more than me or i’m not interested 😁

I agree. Oddly enough we grew up with a very much loved pet but it was alot of work and put me off forever. As an adult with a busy life, dc and responsibilities I can't bear to think of a dog added to the list.

I'm only recently starting to feel the love for DDog now that she is calming down a bit, and she is a v placid intelligent breed so not even a particularly crazy sort of pup! She is just over 1 year old and we've had her since 11 weeks so almost a year. She's sweet but I wouldn't say has completed our family...I do now look at her and my heart melts a bit. But I am not deeply in love and woulsnt say its thebbest thing ever. I was the same with DS though...not keen on needy babies but adore him now hes older. I like independent older children and dogs!

I feel the same, I couldn’t love our dog more if I tried 🥰. I am concerned about such young puppies going on a 5 mile walk in the heat though sorry!

For those who say it is life changing (in a positive way), I'm interested to know what you mean..in what ways?

I know what you mean OP! We got a border terrier puppy in April 2021 and I love her so much. I had a dream we gave her away last night and I woke up devastated and gave her a big hug (yes, I sleep with her!)

First time dog owner here at the age of 39.
I completely agree with everything you have said! My dog is my 3rd child too I feel!

Have a border too!

Have a border too!

Completely agree OP, I don't have kids yet but often wonder how I could love someone more than I love my dogs! The love they have for you is unconditional and I get teary thinking about how much they mean to me.

My dog has done wonders for my mental health - life wouldn’t be the same without her! I totally know what you mean OP dogs are just wonderful 🥰

@Twattergy for me its my mood! I live alone and i didnt realise how low level miserable i was. Even my oblivious dad said he thought i was much better temper wise since having her.

i get out every single day. This week i’ve been getting up at 6am to walk her before the heat kicks in and i don’t begrudge at all. I love getting out with her - even just half hour!

i love coming home and having her excited to see me!

it sounds a bit dramatic, but i feel a bit more purposeful - i don’t have kids or a partner so she is why i go out everyday and do things like socialise her and take her out and about to have fun!

I had to rehome my boy a couple of months ago and he has left a massive hole. Dogs can be amazing.

That's lovely to hear @Ashamedteeth so glad you are feeling the benefits, wonderful! Your point at the end makes sense, I can see how that having something else to care for/that relies on you would feel life changing. I'm lucky to have a family so maybe that's why it doesn't feel as revelatory...but I am sure there are others in my position who find it life changing too. Maybe I'm just a hard hearted cow bag!!!

I had two dogs, the first was Jack Russell, we got him pre kids, lovely dog, never had a problem pre DD but he hated kids, he bit DD a couple of times (it was very minor) after she teased him, so he had to go, and he was given to my parents.

We then got a fox terrier, great with kids, very friendly, but bloody hard work, he had all sorts of issues (very hyper-active). Loved him dearly, however I got the dog after H and I divorced, it became difficult being a single mum and looking after a dog that needed constant attention. I was very sadened when he died, however I did not have the energy to get another dog so I have a cat, the cat is great too.

@Twattergy

deffo - i don’t want children and probably not a live in partner - so its not like she is a second best option so to speak but rather ‘an alternative’. She’s deffo far less annoying than any man 😂

Yanbu. I adore my dog. He was annoying as hell when he was a puppy but he's lovely now. He is my only make child!!
Dogs are hard work but easier than other pets. I haven't kennelled him for 5 years I just go on holidays he can come too

Completely agree, OP. Dogs and kids are heaven. Two dogs together are amazing. Watching my two together makes me happy and proud. I got mine two years apart, but I’d never be without two dogs now. Congratulations on training two great dogs.

Completely agree. I have 3 and I love them so much!

I can't imagine life without a dog in it.

People who hate dogs are not worrh getting to know 😛

Ours is an absolute sweetheart and I adore him like my second child 🥰

We had to say goodbye to our 13 year old Ddog almost two weeks ago. It was very sudden and I miss him terribly. He was my best friend. Our house and life just isn't the same without him

YANBU dogs are the best. Mine is amazing and my husband was a cat man before but is now besotted with her.

💐@bloodywhitecat

I lost my DDog a week before Christmas very suddenly. He never left my side through bereavements, marriage breakdown, my DS being diagnosed with additional needs, the list goes on and not a day goes by where I don’t think about him.

I now have a new rescue lunatic who has the house wrecked, hairs all over my clothes, the garden full of holes from burying and digging bones, who howls at me for my dinner, but boy does he put a smile on my face, gets me out in the fresh air everyday and loves a cuddle. If you open your heart to a dog they give it back a thousand times more.