I have memorable dog stories. Growing up we had several dogs, many were short timers like one named Lucky. We were having dinner in our little kitchen, my Mom had placed a slice of pie next to my Dad's dinner dish. Well, Lucky jumped up and got the pie and then a trip to the Humane Society where he was left for the next family to adopt, not so Lucky was he! Then one day we watched the Colonel Clown show where once a week they have the 'pet of the week'! My Mom, after hearing my brother, sister and I plead for her to get the star of the show finally conceded. Upon bringing the dog into our home he chased us and was snapping at us so aggressively that we had to close him in the room and wait until our Dad got home - then another trip to Newington's Humane Society, left for another unsuspecting family. Fast forward to my married with children days and we had 2 beloved Golden's Beau and Maya, they were super dogs. Now we have Lucy a rescue who brings us unconditional love. Dogs can be great family additions but they do come with big responsibilities and costs......I could probably put the many experiences we've had into a little book that would have great humor and sadness....
Dogs (and horses) will break your heart. I made the switch and returned the dog to its rightful owner last night and the house was a little bleaker without her.
I've had several cats over the years, but never a dog, because of the aforementioned responsibilities, potential for aggressive behavior, and just lack of experience. The last cat, Samantha, stayed with me through a move to New Hampshire and back to CT, and brought me much unconditional love, but also many vet bills.
I love cats but unfortunately I’m allergic. I’ll pet and handle them occasionally but immediately after I have to scrub like a surgeon. Occasionally I’ll bring up getting a hairless Sphinx, which while not hypoallergenic are easier to take but my other thinks they’re creepy and we both agree they’re ridiculously expensive.
We dog sit, including overnights, for friends pups which is enough for us. Speaking of untrained, we have certain expectations of behavior, with the appropriate application of treats, that the dogs don’t always face at home. The dogs seem to enjoy their time with us but their owners refer to their stays as sending them to boot camp.
When one particularly sweet and goofy golden doodle visits, she comes with a regular collar and a harness that her humans rarely use because “she doesn’t like it when you try to put it on”. To which we respond (to the dog), “who’s in charge here, missy?” Turns out, after hiding behind the furniture when you pull out the harness, that the tugging disappears quickly when she wears it and walks are happy time. Sometimes it’s not the dog that needs the training.
I grew up with a beagle who was kept outside. He was the sweetest thing except for when he got loose and then he’d do the “I will get just close enough to you that you can’t grab me”. He had a talent for jumping on a snoopy type doghouse that my dad built. He was actually a hunting failure and that was why my cousin gave him to us.
After marriage and buying a house we went to Newington and got a shepherd/ husky puppy. This dog too was basically an outdoor dog. We had three acres of open land and she’d chase a tennis ball forever. She was the smartest but she was a good girl. When she was only two years old my husband let her lose one morning and we believe she ran after a truck that turned around at the end of our driveway and was hit on the busy road we lived on. No one stopped and we found her on the side of the road. I was so angry and hurt at the loss of her young life and that the person who hit her certainly knew what they’d done.
This is turning into a long post, sorry. It was years later that my kids had grown up and I talked my husband into getting a golden retriever. As anyone who knows this breed they are so loving but goofy also. Ours was a rescue from Tennessee that had been neglected and abused. It took a lot of patience and time but she became the best dog and what my friends call, my heart dog. She traveled to many places with us and only wanted to be by our side. On her 11th birthday, Valentines Day (I chose) we had to put her down as she had a cancer on her spleen. She had hidden it well and it broke my heart.
I had to get another golden rescue a few months later as the house felt so empty. She has also needed a lot of training but it’s worth it. ❤️
Ps. I do not have any grandkids but I do have four grandcats. 😉
Animals just...are. They seem to accept us as that, too, wherever we are. The dog didn't seem terribly upset when I nudged her off my lap to type. She just kind of shrugged and cuddled up.
I’ve never seen Designing Women, but I suspect that the dog had the same problem with How I Met Your Mother that I did: everyone kept going on about how Whozit being Such a Nice Guy, for no obvious reason. He was nicer than Doogy Suit-Up, but he wasn’t remotely as nice as Marshall.
I have memorable dog stories. Growing up we had several dogs, many were short timers like one named Lucky. We were having dinner in our little kitchen, my Mom had placed a slice of pie next to my Dad's dinner dish. Well, Lucky jumped up and got the pie and then a trip to the Humane Society where he was left for the next family to adopt, not so Lucky was he! Then one day we watched the Colonel Clown show where once a week they have the 'pet of the week'! My Mom, after hearing my brother, sister and I plead for her to get the star of the show finally conceded. Upon bringing the dog into our home he chased us and was snapping at us so aggressively that we had to close him in the room and wait until our Dad got home - then another trip to Newington's Humane Society, left for another unsuspecting family. Fast forward to my married with children days and we had 2 beloved Golden's Beau and Maya, they were super dogs. Now we have Lucy a rescue who brings us unconditional love. Dogs can be great family additions but they do come with big responsibilities and costs......I could probably put the many experiences we've had into a little book that would have great humor and sadness....
Dogs (and horses) will break your heart. I made the switch and returned the dog to its rightful owner last night and the house was a little bleaker without her.
I've had several cats over the years, but never a dog, because of the aforementioned responsibilities, potential for aggressive behavior, and just lack of experience. The last cat, Samantha, stayed with me through a move to New Hampshire and back to CT, and brought me much unconditional love, but also many vet bills.
You need to have checkbook (or credit card) ready for a pet. I forgot how much they cost.
I love cats but unfortunately I’m allergic. I’ll pet and handle them occasionally but immediately after I have to scrub like a surgeon. Occasionally I’ll bring up getting a hairless Sphinx, which while not hypoallergenic are easier to take but my other thinks they’re creepy and we both agree they’re ridiculously expensive.
Looks like my daughters dog. Another mini white schnauzer. ( I don’t capitalize white… another story for another day).
Does that make him/it ( him when I like him, it when I don’t) my granddog?
I hope not.
Yes!
Yikes…!
We dog sit, including overnights, for friends pups which is enough for us. Speaking of untrained, we have certain expectations of behavior, with the appropriate application of treats, that the dogs don’t always face at home. The dogs seem to enjoy their time with us but their owners refer to their stays as sending them to boot camp.
I hope I at least taught Ghost not to tug at the leash but we will see. I will take her for a walk when I visit at her home and there WILL be a test.
When one particularly sweet and goofy golden doodle visits, she comes with a regular collar and a harness that her humans rarely use because “she doesn’t like it when you try to put it on”. To which we respond (to the dog), “who’s in charge here, missy?” Turns out, after hiding behind the furniture when you pull out the harness, that the tugging disappears quickly when she wears it and walks are happy time. Sometimes it’s not the dog that needs the training.
I often think that's the case with most animals. It's not the animals. It's the humans.
Wonderful. Thank you Susan.
I grew up with a beagle who was kept outside. He was the sweetest thing except for when he got loose and then he’d do the “I will get just close enough to you that you can’t grab me”. He had a talent for jumping on a snoopy type doghouse that my dad built. He was actually a hunting failure and that was why my cousin gave him to us.
After marriage and buying a house we went to Newington and got a shepherd/ husky puppy. This dog too was basically an outdoor dog. We had three acres of open land and she’d chase a tennis ball forever. She was the smartest but she was a good girl. When she was only two years old my husband let her lose one morning and we believe she ran after a truck that turned around at the end of our driveway and was hit on the busy road we lived on. No one stopped and we found her on the side of the road. I was so angry and hurt at the loss of her young life and that the person who hit her certainly knew what they’d done.
This is turning into a long post, sorry. It was years later that my kids had grown up and I talked my husband into getting a golden retriever. As anyone who knows this breed they are so loving but goofy also. Ours was a rescue from Tennessee that had been neglected and abused. It took a lot of patience and time but she became the best dog and what my friends call, my heart dog. She traveled to many places with us and only wanted to be by our side. On her 11th birthday, Valentines Day (I chose) we had to put her down as she had a cancer on her spleen. She had hidden it well and it broke my heart.
I had to get another golden rescue a few months later as the house felt so empty. She has also needed a lot of training but it’s worth it. ❤️
Ps. I do not have any grandkids but I do have four grandcats. 😉
Animals just...are. They seem to accept us as that, too, wherever we are. The dog didn't seem terribly upset when I nudged her off my lap to type. She just kind of shrugged and cuddled up.
A dog will do that. They just want to please you. A cat will often react negatively. 😉
I’ve never seen Designing Women, but I suspect that the dog had the same problem with How I Met Your Mother that I did: everyone kept going on about how Whozit being Such a Nice Guy, for no obvious reason. He was nicer than Doogy Suit-Up, but he wasn’t remotely as nice as Marshall.