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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Unexpected pleasures

25 replies

EmMcK · 07/06/2017 04:38

We got our puppy two and a half weeks ago. He is (unofficially as yet) the most perfectly delectable canine ever. We have been talking about this for a couple of years so were ready but it's the unexpected things that I am loving and my biggest joy is that our 4 and 5 year old cats have relaxed around him and now look at him like he is the biggest twat they have ever seen. Total disdain. Absolute cat face. Love it

OP posts:

KoalaDownUnder · 07/06/2017 05:13

My greatest & most unexpected pleasure is the smell of my dog's neck. She smells like 'clean dirt'. I can often be found with my face buried in her fur, inhaling deeply. Love!

Original poster

EmMcK · 07/06/2017 05:34

We still have puppy smell. It's so lush. And I am loving how his silly enormous paws are way too big and he lollops around barely able to control them.

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Hoppinggreen · 08/06/2017 16:14

I will not believe how scrummy he is until you post a photo!!

fessmess · 08/06/2017 16:28

The way my pup's ears hang down when she lumps down the stairs.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 09/06/2017 20:07

I am so jealous. I have wanted a dog for our family for years but we both work full time at the moment. thanks to an inheritance that may be able to change soon and we may for the first time be able to seriously consider it.

I have such lovely memories of my gorgeous loving Golden Retriever growing up with my own family. He was perfect. Except on the odd occasion when he ate his own poo.

What dogs do you have?

fessmess · 09/06/2017 22:01

Standard labradoodle

Thewolfsjustapuppy · 11/06/2017 20:23

Irish Terrier and she is a total gentle clown. Unexpected pleasure is being woken at 6.50 every morning to her happy waggy little self.

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 11/06/2017 21:09

Black lab, two years old. Every time I come home it's like he hasn't seen me in days, he is so utterly excited that I'm home. It's lovely.

Original poster

EmMcK · 15/06/2017 01:54

Extreme cuteness alert! Here he is.

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CurlyhairedAssassin · 15/06/2017 12:19

Oh dear me, that's a terrible-looking dog!

Just got doubly jealous.

Original poster

EmMcK · 15/06/2017 22:42

Oh he is Curly. Not at all soft and cuddly and adoring and his tail never wags so much with joy at seeing us or the children that he falls over. Nope. Never happens.

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Wolfiefan · 15/06/2017 22:43

Oh my. So cute!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/06/2017 20:43

Em: you don't recommend I get one then?

Seriously, though, there must be downsides... having had a dog growing up, I am aware they're quite tying etc. DPs said that even though they loved our golden To bits they wouldn't get another dog as it was tying having to consider his needs when they wanted to go out for the day.

Whereas I just remember the wet nose nudging my hand as I was sitting on the sofa when he wanted to be stroked. Or to check if I was ok when I wasn't well or sad. The head resting on my knee and becoming increasingly heavier as he relaxed as I stroked his lovely head and soft floppy ears. His bony elbows digging into my thighs as he tried to sit on my lap whenever I sat down on the floor next to him. His excitement on Christmas Day when he felt our excitement and he knew he'd get his stocking.

Ah, I could go on and on. A dog is lovely for the children of a family. But for the responsible adults? Is it really worth it? And the heartache when they die?

OrlandaFuriosa · 16/06/2017 21:26

Yes it is worth the inconvenience, the picking up poo, the awful puppy and teenage days, the tears at the end. Your heart has been expanded. . You love each other as a family more. The children learn to love and be loved by someone not their parents. They learn to treat someone and be responsible around someone. They learn about life and death.

And..
When your central heating fails you have another source of heat.

You have a rather expensive burglar alarm. ( Your insurance premium reduction is offset by your pet insurance.)
You become less vain as dog hairs only attract a certain sort of person
The dog chooses your friends, usually well
Your stress levels cone down after the puppy years
You can't boast about lush foreign holidays so often so you are a nicer person
You give up being precious about white carpets, stinky breath.
Your gym subscription soon falls into disuse.
You have an excuse to buy a different set of wellies.

Hoppinggreen · 16/06/2017 22:19

curly I too grew up with a series of Goldies and one in particular was great comfort to me when things were difficult.
Last year I got my Goldie boy and while I dont regret it and love him dearly it's not the childhood idyllic image of dog ownership I remember!!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 16/06/2017 22:50

I guess it's because as children we just experience the nice bits - it's the adults in the family who have to deal with the picking up poo and clearing up grassy dog vomit?

Mrscaindingle · 16/06/2017 22:57

What a lovely post Orlanda, I have never had a dog before and was in for a big shock when I got a puppy. I have just had a very big vet bill as insurance will no longer pay out as my dog has a pre existing condition. I have lots of moments when I wonder if I made a mistake getting him but your post sums up for me what is so great about having a dog.

Mrscaindingle · 16/06/2017 22:59

Oh and Op and Hopping your dogs are gorgeous.

mortificado · 16/06/2017 23:00

He is FUCKING ADORABLE!!!

CalmItKermitt · 16/06/2017 23:02

Just acquired my first puppy for 9 years. I forgot how they steal your heart. The way they jump through long grass. The way they drape themselves round your neck and go to sleep.

He's my first small breed dog and it's brilliant how portable he is 😍

Wolfiefan · 16/06/2017 23:05

Mine isn't portable. But she has the softest ears and gives the best cuddles!

CalmItKermitt · 16/06/2017 23:07

Here is my pride and joy 😍

skyzumarubble · 16/06/2017 23:33

We brought my twins on home from hospital, put them on the floor in their car seats and thought what do we do do now. Dog lied down in the middle of them and hasn't left their side since, they're six now. He's the most beautiful loyal pain in the arse dog you could ever meet.

skyzumarubble · 16/06/2017 23:34

Wolfe what a beautiful hound!!

Original poster

EmMcK · 17/06/2017 07:54

Look at all these gorgeous dogs!
Today we took him to the park for The First Time (waiting for 12 week jabs)
Did my heart melt when he bowed at other dogs asking them to play? Yes
Did he run in ludicrous circles through the legs of the other grown up dogs? Yes
Did I think his face would split in two from smiling? Yes
Was it funny that the only dog that told him off was a lap dog half his size? Yes
Is he now in a coma? Yes

Curly, You are more aware of dealing with the practicalities but he has already brought so much into our house. We have three DC, two were really keen, one not at all. Pup has honed in on the one who wasn't keen right from the moment we got him and DS is now his biggest fan. Pup did a wee on the floor the other day and DS said as he was wiping it up "you are lucky - when I was your age, I had to wear a nappy". DS reads to him and then takes him out to play football. The love is immense and furry and gorgeous.
I think part of the reason we got a golden is that (rightly or wrongly) they are more palatable to people than other breeds. I feel comfortable that my friends, many of whom have dogs, will be happy to have him around when we are there. We also have sublime neighbours who have a dog so I know they are there if disaster struck somehow.
I am besotted with his earnest fluffy nippy little being. I can't wait to see what sort of dog he will be. Orlando nailed it with her post.

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