How much do you love your dog, I'm not sure my feelings are normal!!

[Gymbob]

I mean, I absolutely love and adore my dog so much, I'm not sure it's normal or right to love a dog this much. I don't go anywhere without him, and I know he adores me too.

I took him to the vet today, I was worrying about nothing, but then got thinking omg, what will I do when the time comes. the thought of it is just horrendous.

Is it just me who feels this deeply about their dog?

I hope you manage to make it work patience, that would be lovely for you!

gym they sometimes won't show up on the app if you're using that! I posted a lavly photo of my lad ha

we purposely job share for our dog, so there is always one of us at home to be with him. he has cost us a full time wage for 5 years, but when I'm on my death bed I won't be saying I wish I'd worked more

thanks Gray's, I'm in bed so will have a look tomorrow

I have so many pictures of nacho that i love (all of them...) but this one makes me every time as he looks so happy with what was my now his slipper. He has a 6th sense of evry time i get a new pair of slippers because he always claims one from one of my old pairs

I can't leave mine on his own either because I'm terrified of him being stolen, I wrote about this yesterday but will recap here if anyones interested

He's a pedigree bulldog (very lucky to be able to rescue him) so is worth some money. Wouldn't usually be an issue BUT

Since it's been warm I regularly sit in the garden with him. People walk past our home and give him a stroke, he loves it. However a group of lads walked past just as I went in to get my drink (my living room opens straiht out onto the garden and I can see doggy through the window), lads didn't realise I was there and I heard one say 'i could have nicked that dog, gunna get that dog'.

I've seen them a couple of times now and I'm terrified they're going to nab him.

He wouldn't pose for you sorry

Noooo Grays keep a close eye on him. Could you set up cctv?

My cats only have a half hour outside under my supervision. People might think I'm nuts but it's my job to make sure they're safe.

I saw a gorgeous, old, chihuahua in an interiors shop the other day - obv belonged to the owner. She was so cute and friendly. All I could think was, I hope noone steals her :(

Me and DP have been looking into the CCTV, just need to find a decent set up I think that's going to be our main goal for the weekend. He's never on his own in the garden but I worry about someone over powering me or even breaking into the living room. I put another set of locks on the door earlier on.

I might be being paranoid but I just can't bear the thought of him leaving me :(

I loved the rescue dog DH and I had together beyond words. We both had children from previous marriages, so she was our baby. I loved her like I've never loved any animal before. She was beautiful, she smelt of fresh straw, she had the silkiest ears, the softest pink belly and a lovely velvety bit on her shoulders.

DD used to say that I loved the dog more than her. Whilst that was - of course - exaggeration, it was such a special love and my heart broke when we had to let her go far too soon. 3 years on and I still cant go into the vets (how daft is that). I'd do anything for one more snuggle with her, one more stroke of those ears, and a last chance to smell her lovely smell again

folly she sounds amazing. Beautiful. I'm so happy you gave her love and I'm sure you got it back in bundles. I'll give mine an extra hug tonight after reading that I hope talking about my fur baby doesn't upset you or anything? Would you ever get another do you think? Obviously nothing will replace her but you know what I mean x

Since we adopted mine he hasn't been able to go to sleep without being in my arms or very close to me. He lies on his back in my arms like a baby and if I refuse to do it he just doesn't settle, paces up and down and keeps scratching until he's sore and bloody (which is what he did all the time when we first got him, it's taken a lot of love and a fair bit of money to help this)

In the long run we need to try and stop him from doing this, but I love it. I love that he wants to sleep like that with me and that he trusts me so much. But I know it's not good for him really so we need to get him comfortable and confident enough to sleep on his own.

Not upsetting Grays (thank you for the flowers btw). Its lovely reading how loved these pooches are

We did get another dog very quickly, think I was just trying to replace our girl if I'm honest, but of course that was really unfair on the new dog. As DH says, she's a different dog, its not her fault she isnt -last dogs name- and he's right. I love our current dog and of course care for her, but its not the same deep bond.

Your boy sounds gorgeous and dog snuggles are the best

I understand what you mean. They're brilliant in their own right but you can never replace them. My mum has a dog, absolutely gorgeous he is, and she talks openly about how he saved her from suicide. When he goes I don't know what she will do. It scares me thinking about it to be honest :( she has three children and loves us, but he's the one who's there with her day and night, cuddles her when she's ill, depends on her and loves her unconditionally, licks her tears away... you get the gist.

And I know no dog could replace him. She'd love them but they wouldn't be him.

I work every day but part time but have all the school holidays off. DS1 goes to college but home two days a week (although that will change when he goes to Uni in Sept) and DS2 is at school still so home before me on a Mon/Tue (my late starts to work) and leaves the house after me on a Wed/Thur/Fri when it is my early starts.

My parents take her or come up if we need to be away all day for any reason.

I love my two easily as much as I love DD. They will be 13 thus summer and have been with me since they were 7 weeks old. We have been through some really, really tough times (death of my partner, relocation to London, then back, then South Wales - and about 11 moves amongst those places in total). We have been a unit for all that time and even when DD came along 2 years ago, they just accepted her with the love and grace they have always shown.
I'm not particularly religious but I always say that dogs are God's greatest achievement. They enrich and fulfil my life and I will be utterly, utterly devastated when they leave me. Yet, when the time comes, I hope I love them enough not to make them linger just for my sake.

confused

wow, such powerful stuff coming through. it's amazing what our dogs mean to us, just thinking about having to let him go when the time comes is unbearable to me.

as was said up thread, the bond I have with him is so strong that I don't think I will get another dog

grays and folly , blubbering away here. thank heavens for our wonderful furry friends

I love my Berkeley so much. He is 15 now and I can see the writing is on the wall, which is breaking my heart.... but we wouldn't swap all those years of love. I think nature has a way of slowly easing things. We used to be inseparable but now he is an old boy he is more into his own company. I never thought the day would come where he slept anywhere but on our bed with us, when he wouldn't be looking through the shower door glass waiting for me, when he wouldn't try to spend all day on my lap while I worked etc... but all that slowly stopped. I try to be positive and think how amazing it is that he lived all these years and has made it into old age. I know so many dogs who were taken away early by disease or accidents.

You can never love too much

This thread has made me all sniffly.

I love my dog beyond reason. I got her from a rescue a few months ago, and she has changed my life.

Here's my little Parsons Jack Russell. He is hard work, demanding, has zero understanding of the word no but he is my bestest friend in the world, I would be lost without him

for you too Gymbob

I love this thread, although I really shouldn't read it in work [desperately tries to hide the tears coursing down my cheeks]

Here's my lovely girl. I know I'm biased, but I think she was really beautiful

to anyone who has lost their best friend, or is worrying about it.

Someone once told you that it's only ever possible to have one dog.

Mine was called Lucky. He was my best friend and we went everywhere together.

I was heartbroken when he died. However, I now have a new dog, and while I still miss Lucky I am glad of the adventures.

This is my little old man. He's 15, blind and hard of hearing and loves sleeping on my dh's seat. There's been a bit of debate between the wee man and the muggy as to who now owns the seat, as you can see.

My boy