What has surprised you most about dog ownership?

[TappingTed]

For me, I have been surprised and shocked (in a good way) by how much I actually love this wee guy. As a child I was obsessed with dogs, like literally obsessed with them. But as a teen mum who then had three more children, it never seemed a good time to have a dog. And tbh I felt it was something that had passed me by and was more for people who didn’t have kids and wanted fur babies or some kind of baby substitute.
But now with our DPup I have been surprised with how much I enjoy having him around and I actually feel like my inner child is so delighted to finally have a dog of my own… 9 year old me would have been just in heaven… I’m actually struggling a little to be firm with boundaries and I didn’t expect that- I wanted a “dog is a pet not a baby” type of dog and yet it’s me wanting to just let him up for a cuddle or to not keep in the crate all night etc.

What has shocked or surprised you?

How well we all know each other. I can’t believe we’ve never used words to communicate. I adore them all utterly.

The other quite shocking thing is how awful a lot of other owners are and how inconsiderate they can be of dogs who are a bit more complicated than their own.
(The classic ‘He’s friendly!’ off lead dog owners with no recall… ffs!)

For me, it's just how intuitive she is to my feelings and routine, and me to hers. I'm definitely her "person" and we can read each other like a book. I'd say she knows me on a level deeper than most humans, because she pays more attention to my micro expressions, which people just wouldn't necessarily notice.

She's not very fussy or demanding or anything, we just get each other lol.

I also enjoy her company on walks much more than I'd realised I would. Walking alone feels pointless now. Seeing her unequivocal love of my youngest child is also awesome. She's gentle and kind with him.

How much I'd enjoy watching them dreaming with their little sleep woofs

How much I'd enjoy my dog playing with others and humans saying nice things about her. Shame we moved and she doesn't play with any dogs now. But everyone still thinks she's great.

I've had dogs in my life for most of my 70+ years.

the thing that surprised me is how much dogs have taught me about living in and for the moment.

for example, I give our current cutie a healthy treat every morning. Yet every morning she acts like it's The Best Thing Ever. Every single morning!

darling dog hasn't got jaded by repetition. Every.single time she is exited.

Absolutely this, I can spend ages watching him sleep and hearing his sleepy barks. So damn cute.

I've always been a cat person (am I allowed to admit that on this board? 🙃) but DH introduced me to dogs 20 years ago. We've had three female springers and I loved them almost as much as the cats. However, our current springer is male, and he's amazing. Despite my best efforts he bonded firmly to me, then I bonded to him, and we've been inseparable for the last 11 years. I had no idea there could be a connection with an animal like this. He's my soul dog, and I'm his person; we understand each other completely. I won't ever have another dog after him because he'll break my heart when he goes.

The absolute love i feel.

Also, not having children he has taught us to not be selfish which I think child free people can be, just by virtue of their situation. His welfare is considered in everything we do.

For our current dog, it's the love too. She stole my heart the second I saw her and is an absolute delight.

I loved my other dogs but this one, I'm her Mama, I cook her fresh chicken, she's on the sofa, she gets pretty harnesses, posh treats, more toys than she'll ever need and all the love and care she'll ever need. She's a rescue and I'm doing my best to make up for four years living on the streets abroad.

Very similar, how much we love her. She is 10 now.

I credit her with keeping my DS safe. We have 4 now adult children but our DS was really mentally unwell as a teen. He had several serious attempts on his life with multiple hospital stays. But the dog was so amazing. If he was in a state and leaving the house I would gently nudge him to take the dog knowing he’d never leave her so couldn’t harm himself. They are still thick as thieves now.

Lovely thread

This sounds a bit strange, but how they actually have their own individual personality, just like people.

@Steelworks snap but mines only 6 months old

How much puppies bite.
How much effort and consistency it takes to train a dog.
How little I am bothered by picking up poo.
How much I love him.

How motivated they are by food. It literally makes me laugh out loud every day

DPup is not even 4 months, and drops whatever she’s doing and does her best sitting position, when I open the fridge door or go to the utility room (where the treats are kept).

That there's nothing worse than a snoring person and nothing nicer than a snoring dog.

Also, you’re so less bothered when they do something ‘wrong’. I have a pug, it wakes me up snoring next to me occasionally, I just put my hand on her tummy and she gently turns over to curl round my hand.

its ridiculously adorable and trusting

I’ve had multiple dogs for decades but I am, on occasion, still surprised by how much I love them! I’d do anything for them, a lot of my life is dictated by a bunch of unemployed, furry free loaders 🥰
And it still surprises me sometimes how much I miss the ones I’ve lost. I know they had a good life, I know I did everything I could for them, they’ve been gone for years, but god, I miss them sometimes in a visceral way.
Also, how much I like them more than I like most people. MN confirms that viewpoint for me very often.

He is the best dog ever. As someone else said, I could never get another dog as none could replace him. I got him for my 10yo son. That was 10 years ago. They have grown up together and adore each other. He brings joy every single day ❤️

What a lovely thread! The depth of the love for our girl has surprised me, even though I've always been a dog person. WFH enabled us to have her and DH and I waited a year after going through some really tough times. We didn't want her to 'fix' our life, but we knew we needed another focus as we don't have kids (similar to another PP).
Had lived in current area almost 10 years but since DDog arrived we have a much wider network of friends and 'park people' and chat to so many people (and fuss so many dogs) on walks.

We've also started dogsitting as a side job (just one at a time with careful introductions) and it's going really well. We never would have had the confidence to do it and do it really well without having madam.

The depth of love that I can see in their eyes. The understanding. The willingness to please. The bond. When they fall asleep and look around for me as soon as they're awake. Their sweet disposition. Their comical noises and expressions. Their loyalty.

Agree dogs can teach us so much about living in the moment.

I'm on my third Lab and I think they have all had excellent mental health because they all lived in the moment and found such happiness in small things. Such as a treat, a warm bed, greeting us even after a tiny absence, a walk in sunshine, a walk in rain, playing with their friends in the park, making new friends human and dog.

By contrast us humans are a miserable lot and over complicate our relationships and are always looking for more than what we have, whereas loved dogs are content with what they have.

The same as you. I grew up with dogs and loved them but had cats as an adult as they are less of a bind when it comes to going out, holidays etc. My DH was the one who pushed for a dog. When we did get one it came as a bit of a rush decision based on a reduced runt of the litter I saw advertised from a decent breeder. I absolutely adore her. I’m
her person and she lights up my life every day. Can’t imagine being without her.

I've already mentioned how meeting dogs and their owners cheers my friend who is suffering with Alzheimer's.
But I'm honestly so lifted by having a little stroke and chat with random dogs and owners that I come across when out and about.
You're virtually guaranteed a lovely response from both.
It's amazing.

Dreading that part of dog ownership. Mine is nearly 15 and has no serious health problems at the moment but the older he gets the more I'm becoming anxious. Always preferred animals to people (sorry if that offends anyone, just how I am) not quite sure what I'll do when he goes, suppose I'll have to start having conversations with DH again 😏😄