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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Why I really really love my dog

48 replies

DrNortherner · 19/02/2011 16:39

In amongst all these negative threads about dogs, lets have a dog bigging up our 4 legged friends.

My dog is a 3 year black lab. We got him as a rescue dog at 9months old and he is the best thing we ever did.

We love him to bits, he loves us to bits, he makes us laugh, he follows me everywhere, he gets the sofa at night and we get the floor Hmm, he loves playing hide and seek in the woods with ds he is always delighted to see us, even if we've only been gone 5 minutes.

I lost my dad in 2009 and my dog gave me a reason to go out everyday and walk in the fresh air, sometimes with tears rolling down my face but as it was just me and him nobody cared! He is a great tonic and a great friend.

My name is DrNortherner and I am a dog crank.

OP posts:
Original poster
DrNortherner · 19/02/2011 16:39

lets have a thread not a dog....

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ednurse · 19/02/2011 16:42

My dog is a 4 and a half year old Beagle called Maisie who also goes by the name of Stacey, Tracey and Miss Malinky.

She's a greedy sod who can't help herself when it comes to food and often ruins the diet.

However she is always pleased to see you, jumps on the sofa when somebody gets off and gives you a dirty look if you try to get her off....so you end up on the floor. She is also very sorry and desperately tries to be your friend again when she has done something bad - normally going through the bin or eating the cats food.

She is very funny and cute and I LOVE HER Grin

Abr1de · 19/02/2011 16:43

My dog is essential to my health in body and mind. When her predecessor died tragically and suddenly I knew I had to have another dog quickly. Not because I could ever replace the dog who died (I think about her all the time and will always feel sad that she had a short, but happy, life) but because I need that brisk 45 minute walk each day to get me out of the house. The dog is my gym. She is also my companion. I work at home and in winter often don't see a single human being for ten hours.

Last night my daughter came home from school in tears. Bad, bad day. The dog did her utmost to cheer her up. It was quite remarkable to watch her playing the fool to get my daughter to smile.

Honeydragon · 19/02/2011 16:45

I love my dog because

to be honest she is much better, and much more patient with the children than I am Blush

RCToday · 19/02/2011 16:48

My dogs sleep in my bed, under the duvet with their heads on the pillow

BLISS Grin

DooinMeCleanin · 19/02/2011 16:49

Why I love Whippy dog - She amuses me greatly. She is always so pleased to see you her body wags, never mind her tail. She is very sweet with children and loves nothing more than a cuddle on your lap. If you tickle a certain spot on her tum her leg starts thumping.

Why I love The Devil Dog - He challenges me, training him is not easy, but the satisfaction I get when he actually gets something is great and makes it all worth it. He loves me best. He guards me when I am on the loo. I feel safe when he is in the house with me. If I can't be bothered with things climbing on me he seems to be able to tell and will sit with me and make sure none of the other pets clamber on me. He is always ready to play when I am bored. Watching his excitement when I go near the ball on a rope cheers me up no matter what has happened. He growls at DH when he shouts at me in temper and DH is scared of him Grin

Lucyintheskywithdiazepam · 19/02/2011 16:50

Why I really love my dog...

Dog no. 1:

He's smarter than me.

He insists on sleeping on the bed...horizontally streched across it and hogs the duvet. And he snores.

He leaves hair everywhere. Really, everywhere. I opened a sealed tub of yoghurt a little while ago and there was already one of his hairs in it.

He rolls in stuff that is just inhumanly disgusting...and ten tries to get onto the bed.

He has utter disdain for everything and everybody. If he could open the fridge and serve his own meals, he'd have no use for us at all and he makes sure we are aware of this fact at all times.

Really, why do I love my dog? Grin

Dog no. 2

Is a bit thick and therefore does everything I want her to unquestioningly. It is her only aim in life to please me.

She therefore helps to balance out the massive inferiority complex that Dog no.1 gives me.

Original poster
DrNortherner · 19/02/2011 16:52

Oh do keep them coming, I love it!

KNow what you mean about the dog hairs....

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Original poster
DrNortherner · 19/02/2011 16:57

The author of Marley and me says this:

I have this theory, and writing the book sharpened it, that people can learn a lot from their dogs. Lessons on how to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Lessons for successful relationships. Think about it. Many of the qualities that come so effortlessly to dogs ? loyalty, devotion, selflessness, unflagging optimism, unqualified love ? can be elusive to humans. My hunch is that people who act more like dogs have happier marriages. That's assuming, of course, you don't marry someone who emulates cats. Then you're in trouble. Cats will outsmart dogs every time. Grin

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IlsaLund · 19/02/2011 17:02

My lovely dog is a JRT - he was a rescue dog who had a truely horrible start to lfe and was traumatised when we had him.

It was a real shock to us as his predecessor JRT had been with us from a puppy and was really laid back.

This JRT has been a real labour of love but worth every difficult moment

I love him so much, he is curled up with the cat (couldn't be in the same toom as him 2 years ago).

Whe he first came to us he had been beaten so badly that everytime anyone moved he would cringe and hide. Now he will roll on his back so I can tickle his tummy.

He is always pleased to see me.

He is (now) cuddley and friendly. He loves to please and does his veery best to obey commands

He loves going for walks and can finally walk past another dog without trying to attack it.

We had to have his companion big dog pts last year as she was v ill and DH and I are starting to think about getting another one.

Lucyintheskywithdiazepam · 19/02/2011 17:02

Pah! The author of Marley and Me never lived with my hound (dog no.1).

Mind you, I have often said that he is nine tenths cat....

Original poster
DrNortherner · 19/02/2011 17:04

Isla wow what a success story. Good on you for sticking with it!

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Abr1de · 19/02/2011 17:05

'I have this theory, and writing the book sharpened it, that people can learn a lot from their dogs. Lessons on how to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. '

From my terriers I have learned to me more direct about what I want and not giving up until I get it. Work-wise this has been a helpful lesson. I am self-doubting and self-sabotaging at times. Terriers aren't. WHen they want that rat, they will die in the attempt to get it.

IlsaLund · 19/02/2011 17:07

DrNortherner Thank you. It has been worth it.

When we visited the rescue kennel I didn't want him Blush cos he was wild (he was actually terrified) but DH was adamant that he could be a lovely little dog - and he was right.

Despite all his problems (nearly all solved) it really is a pleasure to own him (the dog, not DH)

DanJARMouse · 19/02/2011 17:09

I love my puppy ( 20 week old retriever/collie x) because last night while I was puking my guts up (thanks to awful cough/cold/flu thing) he sat by me with his head on my leg worrying about me. When I then moved to go to the loo, he followed me and sat by me. Then I went to bed and he snuggled next to me keeping me warm while I was shivering, and then duly got off the bed when I started sweating.

He is an absolute dream, and the first dog I have ever owned. He is too cute!

Madsometimes · 19/02/2011 20:23

I love my dog because he is always happy. No-one can be grumpy for long with him around. He always makes dd1 smile when she is having a 10 year old strop.

As others have said, he keeps the family healthy in body and mind. We get so much more back from him than he takes from us.

Even when he chews treasured toys we can't stay cross with him for long.

Madsometimes · 19/02/2011 21:11

His farting is the main draw back!

BooyFuckingHoo · 19/02/2011 21:42

i love my 7 month old golden because he righst all wrongs in my life. i mean one look at his beautiful eyes, melts my hearts and i let go of all anger or sadness, he is the best therapy and he doesn't begrudge me it not one little bit. i love the bang bang bang of his tail against the wall/door/table/me. he is just so expectant and happy to see us all. he is so gentle and giving and lets us all cuddle him as and when we like. he also informed me today that we had an intruder (we didn't it was the sky man installing next door's new dish/aerial/whatever Grin) so at least i know he is looking out for us.

chickchickchicken · 19/02/2011 22:54

dog no 1 - will always be my special girl. we took her in after she was abandoned 5-6 weeks old. we only intended to keep her until we could find a good home. she is 15 this year and still loves playing fetch. i love her so very much for helping ds with sn. ds has grown up with her and says she is his best friend and sister.

dog no 2 - where should i start? he is another one that i love despite his faults. he was very badly treated and he came to us with a broken leg and weighing 7kg (half his current ideal weight). he has been a labour of love and many times i have thought how simpler life was before him. but we all love him and he's lived with us 5yrs.

dog no 3 - is always happy and i love teaching him as he loves to learn. he loves agility. he helps me with things i find difficult to do around the house. i am hoping he will become a registered assistance dog so that he can accompany me to places that dont accept pet dogs but whatever happens i love my little boy

kid · 19/02/2011 23:04

I love my 8 month old springer because he loves me!
He has the cutest face and the softest fur and gives the best cuddles.

Lucyintheskywithdiazepam · 19/02/2011 23:17

I fear I have given a bad account of Dog no. 1. He's not as horrific as I make out. Well, he is... but we love him even if it is a mentally exhausting task in keeping his desire for world domination in check.

Setting aside my daily threats to tie him up outside the local pound, he is the love of my life and I don't know what I'll do without him when he goes....although he's so fucking stubborn he'll probably live forever just to spite us Wink

chickchickchicken · 19/02/2011 23:34

lucy - i have been feeling guilty about my description of dog no 2

shows how much we think of him Smile

CalamityKate · 20/02/2011 01:58

Dog #1 - I've had from 7.5 weeks old. She's everything I wanted; clever enough to learn things quickly but not so "worky" that she does a wall of death round the living room if her walk is late. Brilliant with the kids. Adores me. Beee-yoo-tiful (IMO).

Dog # 2 - dog #1's Mum - perfect house dog. The dog I'd probably have chosen if I didn't want to compete. Soppy couch potato who still loves to go walkies. Happy to snuggle up with me/kids and snooze the day away, or walk for 3 hours. Beeee-yoo-tiful in a hairier way than dog # 1.

I can't imagine life without either of them.

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 20/02/2011 02:11

Sorry if I keep banging on about this, but

DH's Dog was a beautiful Wei. She was impressive, intelligent and protective.She was a protector, nanny and playmate to the DC.

She died suddenly at the beginning of this year at the age of 5. We both decided that we would wait for at least 6 months before getting another dog.

For my birthday DH got me a rescue pup. He is a 12 week old black lab. I keep thinking he is thick until DH reminds me he is not a wei Blush

I love him because not only does he deflect from the sadness of looking at Wei's corner now it isn't empty, but I have realised that, after loving dogs since I was 6 years old, I finally have one of my own. Smile

Original poster
DrNortherner · 20/02/2011 08:28

bitter How sad she died at only 5 Sad So young. But what a great life she had with you all.

You will enjoy your lab pup, and they are so not thick. Mine is very intelligent

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