The joy of owning a dog

I totally agree with other posters that Greyhounds make perfect pets. We’ve had a few over the years. They are very undemanding, don’t have a doggy smell, sleep most of the day, tuck up small, they do counter surf so don’t leave any food out! They will happily make do with two twenty minute walks a day or will also happily walk further. So so many need retirement homes.

Smileless2012

I can't understand why anyone would say that to a dog owner Witzend and FWIW I feel the same way. 'Love me, love my dogs'.

What about being terrified of dogs. “Love me love my dog” but how many would be happy walking down the street if there was the possibility of peoples tarantellas leaping out on them. “He’s just being friendly” wouldn’t cut it.

We both love dogs and had had many until we came to live in Portugal. Despite the mainly good dog owners here, there is definitely a different attitude to them and now within reading age don’t want to take on the responsibility.

We’re lucky that my BiL lived near and now his son who loves dogs has taken over the remaining one and started rescuing more. There have been several all cared for well and walked regularly in our direction so we were able to get our doggy fix that way and step in for him in an emergency. One decided to live with us as P’s other two rescue dogs turned on him and his old age was spent very happily despite us not being able to keep him in, as we just can’t fence all our land and he refused to stay in the house. That is unless there was a thunder storm when he was frightened. We still had to leave the door open so he could get out. Not what you really want to do in a storm. He really would have liked to have lived with a neighbour because he loved the company of their dogs but theirs are enclosed in a sheltered pen until they are let out for exercise in the early evening when they’d play together. He disappeared one day and we were afraid that he’d been run over but then our kind neighbour discovered his body nearby and said that he’d been poisoned. They buried him on they plot and she came to tell us in floods of tears.?

Meanwhile DN’s various dogs had gone apart from the original one his parents had and eventually DN decided that he had so many heath including leg problems that he wasn’t going to take on any more. Then the hospital advised him to exercise as much as possible so he adopted a rescue Serra da Estella. She’d been rehomed because her owners lived in a flat and couldn’t manage her, she got away and was run over and broke her leg and she ended up in a rescue organisation. She and P are walking a little more together each day and once again we getting visiting dogs. Including Suzy my late sister in-laws who tolerates P enough to sleep on his bed, doesn’t particularly like anyone else but still throughly enjoys life.

I’m sorry, I’ve tried to correct the many mistakes after proof reading but my IPad seems stuck and so I’m just going to try to post this overlong post.

Should be with increasing age! There are many more mistakes I know.

Iam64

That made me laugh Merlot. I’ve a soft spot for Jack Russells - huge personalities in small bodies. My parents had Lancashire Heelers, similar personalities to ha ha

I’ve seen more Lancashire Heelers over the past couple of years than I’ve ever seen before, but that might be because I’ve only recently learned to recognise them. What does concern me is how popular Patterdales are as pets these days. A farmer told me years ago that you really needed to know what you were doing with a Patterdale and that they would climb trees after their prey.

Mogsmaw

Smileless2012

I can't understand why anyone would say that to a dog owner Witzend and FWIW I feel the same way. 'Love me, love my dogs'.

What about being terrified of dogs. “Love me love my dog” but how many would be happy walking down the street if there was the possibility of peoples tarantellas leaping out on them. “He’s just being friendly” wouldn’t cut it.

I would never let my dog jump up on someone, but you can't expect never to come across a dog just because you're afraid of it. People are afraid of all sorts - some even to the point of phobias - yet still have to get on with their daily lives. The only way to get over a fear is to confront it head on.

Woof!

Blondiescot

Mogsmaw

Smileless2012

I can't understand why anyone would say that to a dog owner Witzend and FWIW I feel the same way. 'Love me, love my dogs'.

What about being terrified of dogs. “Love me love my dog” but how many would be happy walking down the street if there was the possibility of peoples tarantellas leaping out on them. “He’s just being friendly” wouldn’t cut it.

I would never let my dog jump up on someone, but you can't expect never to come across a dog just because you're afraid of it. People are afraid of all sorts - some even to the point of phobias - yet still have to get on with their daily lives. The only way to get over a fear is to confront it head on.

Yes I have a phobia and I know I have to live in the real world and I go about my business quietly, especially around dogs.
But there are some incredible viscous nasty dog owners about.
I got follower home from work in the dark by a “man” screaming he hoped I got raped because I looked wairy of his overexcited dog.
I have a phobia because I was attacked as a child. It wasn’t the dogs fault, I had an ice cream ( I was three)

Ever since our dog was attacked we panic if a dog runs towards us. I’m not as bad as DH who had to fight the attacking dog off but it is like a form of ptsd. So I can well understand how someone bitten as a child will have a fear of dogs. Which is why I would never let my dog run up to someone. As a child we learn what is safe and what isn’t. A bite from a dog will surely imprint itself in our brain in such a way that our immediate thought, when seeing a dog, is danger. My SIL and grandson have a fear of dogs. They now have a dog of their own who they love dearly, but they’re still scared if other dogs that they don’t know.

Joseanne

Thank you Sweetpeasue. All dogs are beautiful to their owners, but don't let the soft expression fool you! They all have their moments.
Dogs are hard work, but the effort is rewarded.

I looked after my son's beautiful lab retriever when he was on rigs. He was so mischievous. Used to eat anything and everything on walks. Yuck. Selective hearing too. Dreadful hair shedding. Went through 2 of our hoovers. Could smell awful!
I was there when he had to be put to sleep 18 mths ago. I miss him so much.

Have had 8 dogs over the years & loved them all so much. The last one Benny Boy had all the good bits of all the others plus loads of his own! Was so lost without him for a long time but decided as now older & dodgy on my feet he would have to be the last! Get my dog fix at my DS & DDiL’s when I visit. They have a medium sized poodle who is big enough to be a ‘proper’ dog but small enough not to beat me up with all the love I get from him. At home it is me & my little girl cat now so not totally alone!

I adore my dog, who I rescued 5 years ago after I had to put my other old girl to sleep. It broke my heart as you get so attached to them. I live on my own and I find them great company plus they keep me fit going out for our walks. I think it's great that you also get to meet and chat to other dog walkers.
This one follows me everywhere, although most of the time I think she's hoping for a treat. She's so funny at times, has an obsession for cat toys, the stick ones with feathers or mice dangling off the end. She would gladly let me stand for ages swinging it around for her to catch.
My life is not complete if I don't have a furry friend for company and because we rescued each other makes it that bit more special.

A well trained well behaved dog, is literally the best friend, companion you can have. Always pleased to see you, get you out everyday rain or shine. So many reasons to share your life with a dog. There are lots dog sitters now, so they are not even that much of a tie, most places are dog friendly, also you’ll never feel lonely with a dog… please train them though, or it can be stressful and hard work. If you live alone get one, you’ll chat all day and be loved unconditionally x

Where is the thread for those of us who aren't dog-lovers? I do like some individual dogs if they are well-behaved and not smelly.

My dogs, over the years, are the reason I am still alive and reasonably sane. My Snowy during my early teenage years, Candy my Springer when my girls were young, Nip my best Springer and best dog ever when I was alone when my girls went to University and I got Divorced. and in the last 7 years first Tilly my Westie ( who passed away a few weeks ago And my Westie Hattie who s my constant companion now . Apart from Snowy and Candy , all my dogs have been rescued for various reasons and none of them have ever let me down or disappointed me. People who dont know any dogs have no right to comment on whether they are good or bad. There are no bad dogs ONLY BAD OWNERS.

We have a gorgeous Maltese Cross . He rules the household for sure. Almost 13 with significant special needs. Theoretically he belongs to son but... Well he is ours he has lived with us since he was one .
He is grumpy and all kinds of things. He is in medication at 6 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 6 pm and 10 pm.
When we did travel he would have to stay at a specialist hospital to cope with his medication.
He is so important to us

Romola

Where is the thread for those of us who aren't dog-lovers? I do like some individual dogs if they are well-behaved and not smelly.

You could alway start one. There are plenty of GNers who don’t like dogs.
But thank goodness also plenty who do.

It would send my blood pressure through the roof I can't stand them !

Absolutely grannyrebel7, I think dogs should be ‘on prescription’

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Hope your Hattie is around for many years to come xx

An unexpected benefit of a dog (OK, I’m digressing here) - a niece’s dog sensed that the place they’d just moved to was haunted.

The family had sensed nothing at all, but there was a certain formerly unused area in an old part of the property, where their dog refused absolutely to put a paw over the threshold.

Niece mentioned it to someone she knew who was said to have a certain gift - please NB, she never charged.

After a good look she said that that much older part of the property had once been a knocking shop ? and a man who’d gone too far one night and killed a girl, was still there, out of guilt.

She asked him to leave, and evidently he left, because after that the dog had no problem with entering that part of the house.

Scoffers invariably put such things down to imagination, but if anyone else has ever heard of a dog imagining a ‘presence’ I’d be very interested to hear about it!

I totally agree Grannyrebel17. Our beloved Springer is just another member of our family. He is utterly devoted to my husband, his shadow wherever he goes. We couldn't imagine life without him now. A couple of days ago he bit my husband - he has a rather painful ear (an ongoing problem) and DH accidentally touched it. No serious damage done, but I don't know who was more upset DH or the dog, they both cried! Dog is off to the vet in an hour or so and in a couple of days he'll be his usual happy self.

For those people who love the company of dogs but cannot now own a dog, they might like to consider volunteering at kennels, dog walking, dog sitting or puppy walking etc. even if it's only occasionally. So many animal charities need a little extra help now, it's not all about money!

Witzend What your friend told you is awful. It sent a chill down my spine too!! I'm afraid she would no longer be my friend!

Our last dog died just over a year ago and the loss in the house is enormous. My husband says he definitely doesn’t want another one and at the moment I can hardly look at him I,m so cross and upset about it.It’s so selfish of him. He has his friends and interests I am determined to have mine . His stock answer is he has enough on his plate as it is .
The love and companionship you get from having a dog is absolutely wonderful. Another heartbeat in the home is just amazing.

I agree. We just lost our gentle giant of a Labrador in March and have just bought a Labrador puppy called Molly. She has been hard work but such fun. We love walking her and having her with us.