As a child, I longed for a dog. We had cats and I had my own hamster and a rabbit but I always wanted a dog. However both my parents worked all day and then my mum was diagnosed with MS, so it wasn't to be. When I bought my flat I got two kittens for company as a dog wasn't realistic. When I met my husband, his parents had two dogs and so it was only a matter of time.
Three months after my husband and I bought our first house we decided to get a dog. We were both in agreement that we wanted to rehome a dog in need so went to our local shelter. We chose what we thought to be a greyhound/golden retriever, who was about 15 months and were so happy to collect him. We named him Barney. He was the most fantastic addition to our family and once in a loving home where he was fed properly, it became apparent that he was pure retriever, just very undernourished. A year after we adopted Barney, we gave birth to our first child. Barney was happy to have a new playmate - he welcomed her with a lick and, as she grew, he learned that lying near the highchair was a good spot to be. We never took the chance, but I really don't think he would ever have done anything to harm our daughter. Over the course of 11 years, we had 4 children and Barney welcomed them all, along with an assortment of cats that were added to the family. I swear he didn't have a bad bone in his body - the only sign he had been ill-treated was his hatred of being left behind. Barney either came away with us on holiday or stayed with my parents. Our four children were all brought up to respect Barney & to treat him kindly and we found so many wonderful places to walk him over the years, every walk became an adventure. Sadly, in January 2008 the years caught up with Barney and on 29th January, 13 years and 6 months after adopting him, we had to say a very tearful goodbye.
Since then, having had a few months without a dog, we have rescued a number of dogs. We became involved with the Irish Retriever Rescue and have fostered dogs for them, some for a few weeks, others for a few months. We now own 3 dogs of our own (2 are failed fosters) and love them dearly.
There are many reasons for owning a dog - the unconditional love they give, great company, help children learn about responsibility, get you out whatever the weather, good exercise, chance to explore the countryside, a means of meeting other people and many other reasons. My eldest, who is now at university, misses the dogs terribly when she is away and can't wait to take them out on walks when she gets back. Her greatest fear is that we will suddenly lose one of them whilst she is away and that she won't get the chance to say goodbye.
I cannot imagine my life without a dog now but I would always choose to rescue - why pay high somes of money for an overbred puppy when there are so many dogs in need? And for those people who are not sure whether they want a dog or whether it will fit their lifestyle, there is always the option of fostering, which gives you all the benefits, without the long-term commitment.