Please tell me the wonderful things about having a dog

[opalescent]

I am a first time dog owner, collecting my beautiful working cocker female pup on Sunday.

I have thought and thought about this for a very long time. Read books, joined forums, chatted to everyone I know with dogs endlessly!

I feel like our family and situation is really well suited to a dog. We have bought everything we need, and vet appointments are booked. I'm in the process of arranging puppy training sessions.

Despite all this; I'm having a last minute wobble. It's such a life changing decision.

Can you remind me of all the wonderful parts of having a dog, so that I know in my core this is the right decision?!

Thank you 😊

@cocktailclub I'm so sorry to hear that ☹️ 8 is so young to have lost your lovely dog 💐

We have had 27 years of Springer Spaniels and I can honestly say that our three dogs have been my (our) very best friends: they don’t care what you are wearing or if your hair is a mess, they just want to be with you, remember that you are the most important thing in their world. They get immeasurable joy from going for a walk, (in the case of Springer’s, the muddier the better) and all that walking must have kept us fit, although for humans it is not quite so much fun in the pouring rain. They are all individuals and come with their own individual personalities and quirks! Our first one (Sophie) loved playing with and retrieving tennis balls, this eventually evolved into a game where I would hide a tennis ball in any room of the house (often not obviously visible) and she loved searching everywhere until she found it. Look in short, just enjoy your dog and have fun.
If I locked my wife and dog in a cupboard, I know which one would be pleased to see me when I let them out!

Dogs are the best! Ours has brought so much joy, especially to the DCs.

Their constant devotion, unconditional love, friendship, companionship, them getting you out of bed and out of the house in the foulest of weather, the snuggles, the endless conversations you can have without them interrupting because they think they know better, just because they are dogs and are simply wonderful. I lost my ddog in April and I still miss his furry face every day!

I think getting our puppy 4 days ago might be the best thing we've ever done!

He has made us all laugh so much. Absolutely wonderful.

Unconditional love

Cuddles and kisses.

Fun and games

Great listeners

Here she is!!

Congratulations op! She's gorgeous!

Ahhh too cute! 😍

She is beautiful! I was nervous too but it really has been fine!

They are much more tolerant of cuddles than cats; ditto minor 'maintenance' such as grooming, claw trimming, lancing of boils etc.

So cute. How's it going OP?

She is beautiful 😍

Thank you again everyone ❤️. She is absolutely gorgeous, and such a good girl. I won't lie, it's hard, and I have had some low moments, trying to figure everything out on minimal sleek. But this thread is perfect to revisit at those times x

opalescent

Have you seen the 'puppy survival' thread on here? There's a recent one started for August.

Just wondered if you might find it helpful to chat to other people going through the same as you.

@pigsDOfly thank you 😊 I have found my way there, and it is such a helpful thread!

Isn't it!