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How To Train Your Dog Without Touching It!
I Am One of THOSE Dog People
Minette
Correction That Should be DOGS...
I admit it I am one of those crazy dog people that don’t have kids of their own. Not really by choice, but by circumstance and “life” I am “human” childless. This has never been too much of an issue for me because I have always had an outlet to work out my nurturing needs with my numerous furry kids. Sometimes I think fur-ies are easier to raise and nurture anyway, they love unconditionally and forgive and forget my poor choices!
My dogs are not “just dogs”.
But, we the childless pet people get a bad rap and I think those “parents” of the non-furry kind have trouble relating to us. Now I must group some human parents in with us, because I know as a dog trainer there are “empty nesters” out there who treat their furry children better or at least let them get away with WAY more than their children ever did!
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not delving into the realm of letting my dogs eat out of my mouth like baby chicks and I don ‘t even cook for or cater to them like I do my husband (not that he would probably agree to that). I have a very structured canine and feline environment and there are definite rules! I am a fairly controlling individual 
But I probably am one of THOSE crazy dog owners that people refer to because I love them like they were my real human children; as if sprung from my own loins. My dogs are not DOGS they are members of my family. They are: dare I say “My Children”. They are my support system, they are my cheering section in all life’s cruel moments. My family and sometimes even I am not proud of the decisions I make or the things that I do, but my dogs are always there for me!
I don’t board my dogs; actually I don’t go anywhere that they can’t go! I remember a trip to Miami for my birthday one year and we were basically forced to drive around looking at the city through the car windows because there were no or at least very few dog friendly areas or beaches in the city.
Admittedly, I even went to Ireland for only 3 days because I didn’t want to be gone from my puppy for too long (and can I admit I took his favorite red squeaky dog toy and squeaked it every time I missed him) there was A LOT of squeaking.
If I can’t bring my dogs with me…I have no desire to go! Twice, I had a close friend or family watch them so I could go say goodbye to my dying father, and driving just wasn’t an option.
And the other day as I sat on the floor and held my dog, weeping, as he had his third seizure (probably due to brain cancer) I realized I am happy to be one of THOSE people.
Maybe it IS because I don’t have human biological children of my own to get obsessed and involved with; maybe that is why I am over bonded. Perhaps it is just in my nature or it’s because I am a dog trainer…but I think there are others out there like me!
When I worry that he has cancer, when I sob because it is heartbreaking to watch him go blind and have a seizure, I don’t want to hear “He’s just a dog” nor do I find it constructive or helpful when people have this attitude.
I have loved, and cared for this animal for 11 wonderful years. I shudder to say to people it would be like watching your human child have a seizure or being diagnosed with a terminal cancer.
Now naysayers would interject that he IS in fact a dog and that I knew he wouldn’t live forever. I admit that is true, but it certainly doesn’t soothe my hurt. Actually, it enrages me that people are so heartless when my heart is so obviously breaking.
I have a stronger bond with this dog than I have had with most people. He has been my service dog and has alerted me to mind numbing migraines so that I could take medication to keep me from having another stroke. He is the biggest “Minette supporter” there is!
This May be a Little TOO Far for Me....
Often I would wake up in the middle of the night to all 55 pounds of him lying on my chest, staring into my face as if to say “Something is wrong”. I knew it was time to wake up and take some medication to alleviate the severity of my migraine. When he gets into my face or lies on top of me, I know a migraine is a brewing!
Before I met my husband, I called my, NIX, my soul mate and indeed I know he is my doggy soul mate. There will never be another dog like him and I don’t think anyone or anything will ever love me the way that he does.
I am proud to be one of THOSE people. I am happy to have a love and devotion that is as deep as those that I feel for my animals. I am not ashamed that I love so deeply for an animal or that I am so protective of my pets. I cherish each day that I am blessed to have them in my life! I love them like they are my children!
So to all those people out there who belittle me or my “relationships” I make no apologies. I do not have the bond that comes with baring my own children and I will undoubtedly continue to make references and comparisons to your children. Empathy is the path to understanding and kindness!
It is simple and comes down to one thing for me: Love Me, Love My Dogs!
111 responses to “I Am One of THOSE Dog People”
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Oh my … but how I can relate. “Human” Childless, Momma of two Shortie Jack Russell Terriers! Thank You for soothing my soul!
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cj Reply:
January 2nd, 2012 at 7:29 am
A dog is a dog, no matter what the package. All of them can be lovely companions, no matter what the breed. Folks just LOVE their companions, the folks who don’t, do your dogs a favor, give them to someone (shelter or not) who WILL!
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The most spoiled dog(s) live here though! LOL
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Carla and Randy Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 11:29 am
I agree with all about our children, my husband and I are human childless but our very handsome Dali (Chihuahua/Terrier mix) is our child and we would not change that. We love him so much that when we have to go to work in the mornings it hurts a lot. Since we feel so bad we give him his favorite, treat GREENIES! (Those are also very good for his teeth). So that he focuses on chewing it as we very quickly close the door. He has become a very, very important part of our lives more than most people can understand. I am glad to see that we are not alone with these types of feelings.
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Thank you. I so agree with everything you have said. My children are grown but my dogs “ARE MY CHILDREN”. and I love them as such. If they are not welcome I am not welcome. If you don’t like a few dog hairs don’t come to my house.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:12I can relate. I love my baby I don’t have children and EVERYONE makes fun of me. I have my puppy’s pictures up at work and post pictures of him on Facebook. He is my best friend. I can spoil him and I will!
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Thozama Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
I am like that to I dont have kids.people make fun of me but that does not bother me at all because i live mi dog.he is every thing to me.
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I had three human children all grown to manhood and one died three years ago. Two weeks ago today I put down one of my dogs and I have to say that while it’s a hurt for a different reason, pain is pain and loss is loss, and my pain at losing my oldest son was not greater than the pain of losing my oldest dog. It may have been because of the way they both died but I won’t go there.
I only know that whether you lose an arm or a leg, it hurts, maybe in a different way or a different reason, but again, pain is pain. Losing my son Jere will be with me forever. Losing my Duncan will as well. They had a lot in common, come to that — both proud, stubborn, independent, and wonderfully sweet when you least expected it.
Mel
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Tamara Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Very well written, Mel! And very true. Love is love, loss is loss and pain is pain! When another life meets our own and brings us joy, be that life human or animal, they deserve to be missed and mourned when they move beyond this earth!
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Stefany Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 9:26 am
Thank you for posting this.
I have been a canine mom for half my life. I had my first quadruped child at age 20, and currently dote on children 3 and 4 as I approach 40. Having never had a biped child I have always seen them as my children.
When my first child died, I was devastated. I know many people thought I was being melodramatic – taking time off work, seeing a grief counselor. Being unable to weigh both, I could not actually say it was the same as losing a child without feeling my friends – mother of bipeds – stare at me with shock. But I could only imagine that it must have been, as anything worse would have ended me.
To have someone who has had both kinds of children, and very sadly lost both kinds of children, I appreciate you validating my feelings. You are one of but a few who can.
Thank you so much. I am so sorry for your losses, and grateful for your kindness. I hope your biped and quadruped sons are playing together at the Rainbow Bridge.
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Ditto. My “gorls” are my world, my life, my family…and I would do anything for them
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:26My german shep marlo is just little over a year old. during a bad storm.
While i was at work 3 days ago the wind blew the gate open and she ran off.
I felt as my whole life had ended. I thought the worst for my baby and spent 4hrs driving around looking for hef. I did find her the very next afternoon and the shelter. My dog is my child and as a protectivr addy i do het talked about alo. Lol….
marlo helped me.through my bladder cancer recovery so how could i not go all out for her after all she does it dailey for me.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:28I am a proud Mama of a Maltese named Rafael. He is very spoiled, happy, smart, and lively. I love my little Rafael!
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Babs Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
I lost my husband (48 yrs) three years ago, horrible lost but I still had my 11 yr old Westie he was there with me thru everything. I lost him last year and mourned him same way. At my age I didn’t want another dog I couldnot stand another lost.
An angel gave me a Maltese puppy, now six months old and she brought me back joy and a reason to get up in the morning.
Thank God for pets!!
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I have human children and grand children,, but my fuzzy children are loved just as much, and I totally understand 100% I have 6 dogs right now, and yes I just canceled a vacation because I couldn’t take my dogs… and my cousin called and wanted me to come to their house for a week, but I couldn’t bring my dogs.. nope not going to happen.. I had a friend lined up to house and dog sit for vacation…but decided I just couldn’t be away from them for a week.. several are rescues and they have had enough trauma, so we will wait..
It is refreshing to know that there are others,, actually I have several friends and neighbors that are the same way… so we are not a minority at all…
Thanks
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:31I do not understand what a “Minnette supporter” is.
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Minette Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
That would be me, I am Minette…so my dog is a “Minette supporter” I guess like yours is probably a “Mike supporter”
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AMEN! I am definitely one of “THOSE” dog people :*) and love and enjoy every minute of it! I am human childless yet momma to 8 wonderful, very spoiled rotten “kids” (having 5 Miniature Pinschers and 3 Basenjis). We lead a very active life and the general rule is, if the kids can’t go guess I don’t need to go!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:53My DH and I just purchased a doggie trailer so Molly can join us while we are biking.
She LOVES it!!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 09:54Several years ago, I lost my 17 year old Australian Shepherd. We never missed a meal or a walk in all that time. The void was unbearable.
I was teaching at the local high school and mentioned to the kids how I felt. One boy shouted out “It was only a dog.” There was a near riot in the classroom as the students jumped this boy and rushed to offer condolences to me. Goes to show that most people understand the bond between human and dog.
I now have a miniature Aussie. Same shepherd personality, but spoiled rotten.
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Renfroe Watson Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Yep, she’s only a dog, a year-old German Shpeherd, and I’m only an old man with a heart condition. In the great scheme of things maybe we are both just “only,” but together we are something important. Though I’m
surrounded by family I love dearly she has added a dimension I never knew existed. My physical theropist says she is keeping me alive; I know she’s making living more exciting.
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Minette Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 8:20 am
I think I will adopt your attitude
what a fantastic post! My dogs make my life worth living every day
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I love my dog so much that of course he is spoiled . He is my second minicher pinscher . My first one I had was a female and I had to put her to sleep after twelve wonderful years having her because she had a lot of medical problems as she grew older and I could not keep up with the vet bills.
I have had many comments made to me oh Tobie is just a dog and you spoil him . Well he is my only love in my life who lives with me , understands me and needs my love and affection as well as I need his . He lives here and if anyone comes to my home and expects me to repremand him or change his ways while they are here , I tell them this is HIS home .We live here and I do not expect to change his habits just because you are visiting .
My dog gives me much laughter and is with me through sad times as well as happy times and greets me at the dog excited when I come home if I go out for a while .Theres nothing like our companionship .
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:05I totally relate to having “fuzzy kids”. We are in our 50′s and are retired. We have two beautiful fuzzy kids, Panda and Bear … a boxer and an english bulldog… we love them to pieces. If we go somewhere where the fuzzy kids can’t go..(if its close to home… no problem we will let them stay home)… but if we are travelling, then no dice… they come with us or we don’t go…
We love them like our kids who are now all grown and gone… and the grandkids love our “fuzzy kids” to pieces.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:07You know… Im 25, moved to a new country 2 and a half years ago by myself and just about a year ago i adopted a 3 month old white shephard/husky. And yesterday she just had her birthday and turned one. I was soooo excited like she would of been my own child. Ajd i say to people all the time with no shame that shes like my own child and that this is good practice for the future. Hhehe
one thing tho is… Because i rescued her from a no kill shelter… You never know the history the had before.. But for the firat time the lady told be that they had her for a month and when they found her, she was almost beatin to death… So i knew i had my work cut out for me… Growing up my mom qlways rescued dogs and cats and so i always had an animal in the house growing up and i always did the training. But then came my first own puppy… Buba (means doll in hebrew) turned out i needed to get a psychological trainer to help her anxiety and fear of strangers. And you know what the trai.er told me after 5 hard intenae lessons… I told him ok so we did the normal intense training and shes not progressing more please help me shes my love ill do whatever it takes to help her feel better and live a good long life with me… In response he tells me that hes so amazed and happy to see that she came to me because most people here wiuld of just given her back or thrown her away to the streets. Like, how could one think of doing that ever… Funny thing is… It didnt cross my mind once… And goos thing i didnt… Turned out i have a vetiman difeciancy and it kicked it from the hot water in the shower and i passed out when i was home alone. Thank goodness for buba she stratched and barked until i came to and opened the door… She literally helped me to the bed where i coumd get to my phone… Weeks after that she literalky helped me if i needed to move around… Other then that.. I dont know what i would do with out her… If im upset shes right there and i literally cry on her shoulder and she hugges me with her head. If im happy and dancing around the house she joins in… When i leave the house for work.. I tell her to coem say bye to me… She gives me a hug and kiss… My dog ia not a dog… Shes the love of ky life and people that dont understand these things really suck at life
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:11Sounds good, but my pooch still doesn’t get I like to sleep in a little. Not have take him out at 6:30 AM.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:15We all deserve to express our deepest love. Just treat them the way animals deserve to be treated: like animals, not children. By that I mean: train your dog so it may please you, don’t talk to it like a human and expect it to be just like a child. I’ve seen this, it’s ridiculous!
As a mother of both human and animal children I can say that, while unmatched, the love I had for my animals pre-human-child was mother-like, indeed! And the loss of one animal was extremely painful and certainly worthy of recognition.
All the best!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:18I have had a canine companion by my side for 40 years—since my first dachshund-beagle who lived in my dorm room with me my freshman year of college without ever barking! After almost 10 years—I lost him when he was hit by a car.
Since many of them were rescue or “run-aways”—and being head-strong Dachshunds—I have lost several to automobiles, since running free seemed an intregal part of their nature—and as hard as each one of those was, it was still worth the time we did have! Fortunately, I did not have to see or deal with some of them as they were taken care of sometimes by strangers.
We recently lost a female we’d had for 8 years to cancer that finally hit the brain—and my best buddy that had to be put down after 16 years—and those decisions were every bit as difficult as the decision my family had to make to let both my father and mother “go!”
I have now inherited both a male and female—and although they cannot totally replace my previous companions, they sometimes seem to be the ONLY things that keep me going!
I sometimes get “the look” of disapproval from parents of “real” children when i compare them to the stages and issues that i face with my dogs—but the fact is, they both go through the same growing stages of “infant-toddler-adolesence” and the challenges that come with those stages. They ARE my children and many times behave much better those “real” ones!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:26I too am one of “those dog people”. My daughter often tells me that I love my three border collie mixes more than I love her. I tell her I just love them in a different way. I used to say they didn’t talk back, but that isn’t true my male has something to say no matter what I am telling him to do. He has to have the last word, just like my daughter did. When people call me “one of those people” I tell them they are just jealous because they don’t have the love and friendship that I have. Your dogs are always there no matter what happens to let you know that it is alright and they still love you. I wish everyone had one just for that reason. We all need acceptance and love, and that’s what dogs are every single day of their lives.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:27love is love (it is thr greatest.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:28Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a four year old female Rottweiler who is suddenly displaying small red splotchy, circular sores on her belly,and legs,that is spreading and causing me great consternation, and worry. I was wondering if you might have any idea as to what this could possibly be !!!
She does not appear to be in any pain, but it is very painful to me to watch her constantly scratching and rubbing herself up against anything in attempts to relieve what is itching her. I have washed her repeatedly, not too much, (3xper week),yes,that may be too much, but at this stage I’ll try anything !!!
Please help me if you can !!!!!
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Minette Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Go to your vet and have it checked out, only they can run the tests needed and good luck!
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I have had 5 dogs in my life. They love you no matter what. They never ask for money, the keys to the car. Just your love. I have loved them all for who they are and losing them at different times is like taking a piece of my hart.Some times I think they are better than kids.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:34I agree with everything above – as it all applies to me. Though being childless I don’t think matters, as I know many people with children that the above applies to as well.
My dog is part of the family and again, if she can’t go we don’t, and when other arrangements need to be made she is always with family or only other trusted friends for as short a period as possible.
The “just a dog” comment really bothers me too! They are a living being with feelings, and should be treated as such! Just becuase they can’t talk (and I mean in people language – as any loving dog owner can atest to they do communicate very well), and we (humans) have tamed them and brought them into our homes doesn’t mean we should lower or demean lower their status. We have made them part of the family and they should be treated as such. Yes rules are needed for everyones safety and happy cohibitation, but then we also have these rules within the home and society for the same purpose.
I know I spoil my dog, and she only gets homemade treats, and all her food is monitored to ensure that she only gets the best, but I feel that is responsible parenting whether for a dog or human child.
I am PROUD to be “One of THOSE” dog family members!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:35Chet ~
I enjoy all your posted messages and thank you for continuning to pass them on to me.
Mahalo,
Roberta
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:39I feel the same way. I couldn’t love my little Chihuahua’s more if they were human. Sometimes I think I love them more. I can’t stand it when they even sneeze. I have rushed them to the emergency hospital with a pulled toe nail that was bleeding, at the cost of $200.00. Whew! I don’t even raise my voice to my babies. I can’t even think of losing them. I don’t go out of town untess it’s an emergency because I don’t like leaving them. My daughter is just as crazy as I’am, she takes care of them for me. I would never, never board them…As far as I know, they have never been struck or yelled at. God help the person if they did!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:49My dogs are my kids! Plain and simple! I have had to fight for and take up for…my babies. Why can’t people help me take care of my little family instead of rediculing me for having them. I’m on up in myh senior years and no, I can’t bathe and groom my little ones as often as I used to could, but I can love and feed them as good as ever. They love me unconditionally and forgive me for my short comings where most people won’t. I beleive my children (all grown)are actually jealous of them! I know my boy friend is!
They give me pure hell about them all the time to get rid of them. What would I have if I did that? Nothing! My kids come to see me maybe once a year and my boyfriend never takes me anywhere! Love me…Love my dogs. I would give him up long before I will my dogs!
Mom of 5 little furry kids!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 10:50I have had a real problem with a neighbors dog on another street and It has attacked me and my dog twice in the past two months and have contacted the police and I was wondering about other suggestions.
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danielle Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
get some pepper spray
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I totally understand loving my five dogs , I have five grown children and all have left home,I am elderly and my poms are my best friends,they comfort me when Iam sad and get wild when I am happy. each one has a different personality,most persons dont understand,each time I received a new one,I was going to find them a good home and I fell in love with the new one and I couldnt let him go he is a mini american eskimo and I love him to pieces,best friends,comforter,playmates etc. Barbara
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:01I have 5 dogs and each one is special in their own way, my lovefor them is as great as my love love for my 3 adult children. You are right there is no difference when it comes to love, and sometimes I would rather be with my puppies as I call them, you are always wonderful in their eyes, your children seem to find fault with you. Love is love and I font know what I would do without them.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:03I have two adult children who are now on their own. But my fur and feather children give me more joy and unconditional love than one can ever imagine…. those that just don’t ‘get it’. It breaks my heart to leave them for doctor’s appointments when I can’t take them with us.Of course, the feathered children can’t travel with us but they have each other until we get back home and that is as fast as we possibly can.
We have given up vacations as our commitment to our ‘children’ is too strong to ever leave them. We tried once a few months ago to get away for 4 days, leaving my daughter in charge of our ‘loves’, but got about one mile away and turned away and came back home, to wagging tails, birds squawking a happy hello and our hearts were once again filled with joy at being HOME with those who love us the most. They ask nothing of us but our time and love and it is returned 13 fold. Our parrots are people parrots, preferring us to each other and are all free flying so our evenings are spent with them all over us as we watch TV or eat dinner. They are trained to go back to their cages to ‘poop’ a feat that didn’t take long to teach them and they love to talk and sing songs words and melody and give many kisses, as our beloved fur babies do also.
Life wouldn’t be worth living without our loving ‘pet’ children and for all the ones we have lost due to illness in the past, they remain with us forever also.
This world would be much better off with less ‘humans’ and more fur and feathered children in our opinion…. as many are so cruel and inhumane and hurt our loving animals on this planet.
Amen
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Gill Bridge Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Please ever so kindly -how did you train your parrots to poop in their cage – my 5 year old even confesses he is a “messy bird” I know people who go out to work but have trained their parrots to poop in the loo in the morning and evening on their return and never when out of the cage during the day or for play in evening and at weekends, I know not how they did it.
They also go motorcaravanning and have modified the inside to take them and the birds 2 greys and 2 sulphar crested cockatoos.
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Chrissy Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Chrissy writes:
Hi Gina,
I am also “childless” and since my 2 poodles died within 3 months of each other (one was 18 yrs old the other 14 yrs old) I feel like I have lost not only a good friend and mate but loyal companions. I have now adopted a cheeky Pomeranian from our animal refuge who absolutely adores me and won’t leave my side. (dog had been mistreated). Yes, like the others he too sleeps on my bed and keeps me company especially as my husband works constant night shifts.
Parrots are quite popular here in Australia especially our natives. I had 2 cockatiels also out of the cage and they would fly around and sit on my shoulder whilst doing housework. They also loved to be on my husband’s shoulder when he went out mowing the lawn. However “poop” flew as well as you can imagine and there was no discrimination in where it landed or ended up. Gina: I am interested to know how you trained your parrots to go to their cages and do their “poop”. I was thinking of adopting another parrot however the “poop” part isn’t very encouraging with my husband or myself and we don’t like them to be cooped up in a cage all day.
Thanks for your advise.
Chrissy – Brisbane, Australia
PS: I put this in the wrong section as another comment instead of hitting reply
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Gina Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 4:43 am
Gill and Chrissy,
Training your parrot to poop in the cage and not all over you or your furniture takes alot of work of which I had at the time we got ours. I am a teacher and always purchased or saved a new parrot during the summer so I had the time to train them properly.
After a few days of getting used to their new cages and toys, everytime I would ‘catch’ one of them pooping in their cage, I would say ‘GOOD BIRD, POOPS!” and then give them a favorite treat right at that moment. (As I said it took alot of work).
I did this for about a month with each of them and when they came out of their cages (all free flying too) I would take them back every few minutes, put them on their perch, give the command “POOP” and magically they would… then a treat and then I’d have them step up and come back to me or my husband. This took constant training for about two months and as our birds only come out for 5 hours in the evenings to be with us we would have had a ‘mess’ all over also if they hadn’t learned what ‘POOP’ means. Now, if I just verbally give them the command to ‘GO POOP’, they fly back to their cages, do their business and then come back to us. I know this sounds impossible, but believe me IT’S NOT. It truly works but it does take alot of patience and time with them when you’re home.
But the good news is, I don’t have any messes on my clothing or furniture due to this early training and it has been more than worth it. Birds are sure smarter than most people think and my Quaker/Monk parrot now says ‘POOP’, takes off for his cage, does his business and comes back and says ‘GOOD BOY’, lol. He sure is a character.
They also get alot of exercise this way and sometimes when they go back to their cage, they’ll grab a drink or a treat from their dish before coming back to us.
I am not making any of this up, I promise. Let’s just give our birds the credit for the ‘smarts’ they do have and take advantage of all they can learn.
Good luck with your parrots.
PS: You can teach an old parrot new tricks too
Gina
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Chrissy Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 12:44 am
Thank you soooo much Gina for your valuable information, it is most appreciated. Like any good trained pet its the time you put into it, is what you get out of it at the end.
Cheers
)
Chrissy
I catch flack from my family all the time about my furry babies. I have two Yorkshire Terriers plus several cats. My children tell everyone that I treat the animals better than I ever treated them, lol. I said, well, my animals never sass me and always forgive me for my faults. So there!! I did get the empty nest syndrome and I had to have something to take care of. It’s just in my nature. My little babies feelings come before my own and I would literally hurt someone if they hurt one of my furry babies. I actually didn’t realize how much I love animals until my own children were grown and away from home. Now I have found what was missing in my life. I have already lost a couple to death and it is devastating to say the least. I wish animals could live longer but I try to make the best of everyday that I have with them.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:16We are the childless couple of biological children, but not of our beloved dog children. We have loved and lost 5 beautiful “kids” and each broke our heart to lose them. Presently two more have entered our lives, rescued brother and sister, and we can not imagine what our retirement years would be like with out them. Unconditional love and devotion from us and them. We thank God daily for the blessing of having them in our lives and the joy they have brought us.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:30We lost our 14 year old Standard Poodle, Remington,in 2000, husband refused to get another because the grieving was so hard and took so long. Last year I had a heart attack and after recovery got my cardiologist to recommend getting a dog to WALK,so we found another Standard Poodle to purchase. Needless to say, he cost a lot more than we expected to pay, but worth every penny. BUT, as if “Prancer” sensed that my husband did NOT WANT a dog he adopted my husband.Prancer BECAME HIS DOG. Althugh I enjoy his company, he sleeps by MY bed, walks with me, plays ball with me, etc etc. he loves my husbandk BEST. At full size this big dog still asks and then does SIT on husbands LAP not mine. He STOLE my baby. I am happy that they have bonded, but I threaten to get my OWN as I would like this extreme closeness they have, but right now as retired citizens, with food, vet, and grooming, it is out of the question. So I have have to settle for second best.Ad I love him dearly.. By the way,kids and Grandkids are grown and do not live close by..
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:42I rescue dogs and I have 18, under my belt who have found ‘forever homes’ through the years. They all come in with different problems, and as a “foster Mom” I try to assess and then teach them to be good family mebers of a family. Some have ‘BIG” problems, and that’s why I originally joined and got your videos, from your website. I now have 2 older dogs, a 15yr old Yorkie, and a 12 year old deaf Brittany, both a otherwise pretty healthy. I also adopted a a yound (1 yr old Britt), who is now just 4 1/2 yrs old, who has developed Epilepsy…Tests have not given us any clue and he his on Phenobarbitol 3x a day( 1/2gr each time now. Should I have to leave them, for anytime (forget vacations!), shoud they all be in a vet’s care?
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Cecille Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 11:53 am
I’m very sorry to all, that I didn’t proof read my spelling beforehand in my post. I didn’t realize how bad it all came out, until I read it and I hope everyone can actually read it and understand exactly what I was trying to say in my post..
Thank you to All
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Ken Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Cecille,
Dnot fel bad. We all maek misteaks when we’re tpying fast!
God, grant me the abilty
to resist criticisizing
others for thier misteaks
so that I may spent the
the extra time doing the
the marvlous things I do so prefectly.
…(c) K. Green, president,
Corcom International, 1985
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Carol T Reply:
July 17th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Kudos to you for your BIG heart. Check with your vet for a local pet sitter that is set up to take special needs pets as we are. Over the years, we tailored our home to accommodate our own senior pets. This turned out to be beneficial for clients who faced the same issues with aging dogs. They like the independence their dogs have when they come to visit. Our home style care offers ramps for easy access to our large deck and well fenced yard, cushy dog beds and comforters, raised bowls and non-slip linoleum flooring to accommodate pets of all infirmities. If the dog is stable on regular meds, it should have the freedom to enjoy unlimited fresh air and a relaxed, serene environment rather than be cooped up in a stainless steel cage with limited contact. Vet clinics are not ideal for kennel care. Before an emergency trip happens, get to know the pet sitters in your area and I’m sure you will find one that can give you peace of mind.
Sincerely, Carol Truman
Best Friends Pet care Services
Abbotsford, BC Canada
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I have two wonderful grown sons. I thank God for them. They turned out good despite my mistakes and ignorance. However, my dog children have blessed me in a way that even my human sons can’t do. Now, I have a 6 month old Chahauhau mix living with me. Together, we recently adopted a 14 year old pure breed chahuahua lady whose lifetime owner had died. It is a great sadness in this world that human elderly people are ignored and that elderly animals are ignored as well. My 6 month old is literally like my baby. I adopted him when he was 4 weeks old – his mother had been run over by a car. I am a school teacher and I hid Hershey in a storage room at school so I could feed him as frequently as he needed to be fed. When he started making too much noise, he lived in my car (thank goodness it was the cool season)and he never missed a meal during that time. Now, we are all together almost 24 hours a day since I’m on summer vacation. It has been the happiest summer vacation that I’ve had in many years. My little boy has learned to swim and I am as proud of his accomplishments just as I was and am proud of my human sons accomplishments. We have a WONDERFUL dog park close to where I live and I have a real sense of joy to see how kindly Hershey treats all the other dogs and how much attention he gives to his dog friends. He happlily shares his treats and his toys with his friends and he even swam all the way across the big lake just to be company for one of his water dog friends. I lost a precious, precious little white poodle about 15 years ago. Charlie came into my life just months after I lost my Mother. I don’t know how I would have made it through those difficult months and years without him. He literally went everywhere with me. When he died I grieved for him as I had grieved for my Mother. I believe love is love and grief is grief whether it be in a human relationship or an animal relationship. My older son who is now a skilled surgeon used to teasingly tell his friends that he was sure I loved my little Charlie more than I loved him. When Charlie died, most people did not understand how a little 4 pound fluff of white fur could be so important to me, a human being. I just thank God daily for my new baby and whether it be for the rest of my life or for just a few years, I am going to be the best Mother and friend to Hershey as I possibly can be. Not everyone should have a dog. It’s just like adopting a human into your family. So many dogs are abused and ignored because people do not understand the depth of a dog’s personality. Dogs want to love and they need to be loved and protected. So we just need to hold our heads high and let the friends laugh at us. Those of us who understand the power of a pet are the ones who are blessed with their presence.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:51I have known the love you share with us.
No greater love could I have had from my two rescue Cavalier King charles Spaniels who saw me through desparate circumstances and stopped me ending my own life, or my rescue Yorkie. All of these I had to have put to sleep for varying reasons but the over riding one from my piont of view was not to prolong their suffering. I loved them all desparately. But I can not go through the circumstances that lead to the decisions it hurts too much. The vets understood and it hurt them as much as me because they had actually grown to love them too.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 11:55I raised 4 beautiful human children and until a week ago had my 8 furry children. Last week I had to make the choice to let my oldest furry son have peace. He was 16.I know people do not understand my pain at losing Bo and that makes it even harder. When the kids were younger we even used to call him the little brother. He went to baseball, softball, football and cheerleading practice and games. He went on every vacation with us and when the kids left home he continued to be my constant partner. I stayed up with him all night when he had an earache and even called in to work that my son was sick. I later worked from home so he was faithfully with me at work all day and at night helped me go about my daily chores with all the farm animals.
Anyone can say what they want but to me he was my youngest adopted son. I loved him as much, but differently, than I loved my 2 biological children and my 2 adopted children. Love is love and losing one is no more easier. I think I actually feel sorry for people that cannot open their hearts to love no matter the outside package.
Signed,
another one of “those” people
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 12:18I cant have biological children and adoption just isn’t an option for us right now. My furkids are my babies and will always be! I love my two min pins and they love me unconditionally. I am proud to be “one of those people” and if people dont get it then i feel for them.
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Vanessa Foster Reply:
July 21st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
I am not able to have kids either and although we are trying to adopt, I have found so much happiness with my beautiful Golden Retriever, Oakly. He is 18 months old and so spoiled and loved by my husband and me. In fact, I think he has kept our marriage together because we have had “someone” to nurture and take care of together. We also get a lot of funny or annoyed comments and I am glad that there are people like us out there.
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I can relate to your story, we have two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, a male who is a year and a half, his name is Slick, he is the most loving dog and he looks at you with those big eyes and you melt. Shaina is my little one, she is one year and three months old, she is the apple on my eye, she is a lot smaller that Slick. Both of them are our kids, we do not refer to them as our dogs. Both of them are extremely smart, they love to walk, play well together. Both of them were crate trained, they do understand english and spanish, it is amazing. They love being with us, but they do not give us trouble when we leave the house. Shaina runs circles around Slick, we love watching them play together. I have had a few dogs during my life time, but never have I had such loving dogs as Shaina and Slick are. I brush them every day, clean their teeth and wash their little faces. If we ever go on vacations, the breeder will take them and take good care of them, she loves dogs and is an excellent breeder of Cavaliers.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 12:26I agree with the people who wrote about spoiling their dogs like children.
I definitely think that God’s best creation was dogs!!! Not humans. We are sometimes cruel and don’t love unconditionally. Isn’t it true that even though we scolded or left our dog we will always be welcomed home to a wagging tale and not hold any grudge of any kind against us. I am a dog lover too!!!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 12:56Having just lost my 16 year old miniature long haired dachshund, who suffered seizures due to a diagnosed brain tumour, I cant tell you how heartbreaking the whole episode of saying goodbye was, before giving permission for that lethal injection. It has taken weeks of sobbing and grieving to come to terms with losing a good friend; a surrogate child; a little personality in her own right and a bundle of fur that gave us all so much pleasure during her life. People are beginning to realise that saying “its only a dog for god’s sake!” puts them into the insensitive and tactless bracket and very few people now react in that way.
There is no other creature in the world that gives unconditional love in return for kindness, feeding and looking after. Surveys always ask the question “What one thing would you dash in and save if your house was on fire?” Without any doubt, there would be millions of people who would instantly say “My dog!”
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 13:21married 50 yrs with 3 grown biological kids, 5 grown foster kids, 7 grandkids—love them all but my Teddy dog is THE BEST!!!!! Goes EVERYWHERE–NEVER a complaint about anything. When I’m tired—he’s tired. When I’m sick–he’s ‘sick’. When I’m swimming–he’s clinging to me!! If I knew ahead of time, how good it could be, I would have had Teddy first & skip the rest. LOL!!!!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 13:25Having had the honor and pleasure to have loved many, which undoubtedly leads to having lost many, I agree completely and whole heartedly that our furry companions are like children. I never had human children either. I do have to say though, that I understand why you may not be able to believe that you will never have another doggy soul mate, but every one I have becomes equally bonded to me as the ones who were before them. True, each relationship is different, like mine andmy sisters are each different with our Mom, but still a powerful bond is there. It is unbreakable and they are truley some of the best friends I have ever had. I am a dog trainer as well. I had the pleasure to work at an aquarium where I trained many other animals. One, a sea turtle, where again, a bond of trust was built. Very awesome to share out lives with these animals. I lost one of my doggy soul mates to cancer, my heart goes out to you.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 13:29Hugs to you Minette…
I love my dogs and cats and have gone through the pain of losing some…
Yes they are family and they give us unconditional love…My children have flown the nest but love to visit with their children…
We get great joy interacting with them…they all have their own personalities…:)
Deirdre
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 13:30I don’t think I would be on the path of self healing if it weren’t for my dog. Regardless of how I feel, my dog is always there unassuming and patient. I do talk to her and she answers me back. I do feed her my leftovers and her food, even if commercial is the same quality I put in my mouth. I would agree that dogs are not the same as children, but not everyone is cut out to be a parent. I know I am not; having a dog allows me to care, which I think is good for everybody.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 13:45May I point out one difference? GG NEVER ASKS FOR THE CAR!!!!!!!!! & I always drive.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 14:39I love my dog[ Poodle ] and take her everywhere I go—-dressed in her best dress and a headband to match and her nails polished
People think I am crazy but when we go thru thew the airport both kids and adults see her in her stroller enjoying the trip and just have to come over and see her and talk to her[ T.T. is her name ] and she just eats up all that attention. We can be gone on a flight that with layovers can be as long as 10 hrs and she never barks . She is a seasoned traveler and have been told by Stewerdess that they wish all the passengers were as good as her
Tinky
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 14:44All animals are sensitive to the spirit & true nature of humans. When they are fortunate to be living in a loving environment with a family who appreciates them, they return that affection with unconditional loyalty & love. Both dogs & cats have intelligence equal to 13 – 15 yr. olds, without the temperment & mood swings. My teenage sons would not be “caught dead” on my lap getting a belly rub, but either my dog or cat would be delighted to devote an hour of his/her day for the same.
All types of animals are welcome in my home. They bring joy, laughter & peace with them. I can’t say the same regarding some people.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 14:54How lucky we are to have our Extra children. Do not get me wrong I am a mother of six human children and yes we have went through a lot and are still in some growing pains with the last two teens but my newest addition to our family was Ferrell a Great White Pyrenees who now is 7 months old and yes even though at times he has left a trail of some kind to tell you about his adventure while we were gone from the home ( most days not crated) we have had the odd piece of homework chewed, the backpack strap ripped from the pack itself, the odd shoe gnawed and even the occasional piece of clothing tucked under a chair or couch never in a million years would I ever dream of spending 1 day of my life with this magnificent creature. He is my sanity. He wakes me up in the morning with his drooling wake up kiss ( he sleeps on a blanket on the bed room floor) he jumps with excitement at the same old food dish day in and day out. ( my kids are so fussy) he loves to go for walk early in the morning when I come home from work or after supper ( they are too busy for mom any more) We share bottles of water on our daily adventures not demanding higher priced beverages and we have our own unique social circle which by the way grows weekly with both human and four footed contacts. No one will ever understand the value of a “dog” until they let their inner soul really relax and remember what it was like being free from life for “just a moment” just like” when you were a kid”
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 16:13The best friend a man (or woman) has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with love and patience may prove ungrateful. Those nearest and dearest to us may be unavailable in our time of need. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a person can have in this selfish and hateful world, the one that never deserts and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.
When my fiance brought home, to my disapproval almost a year ago, a cute little pit pup, I never would have imagined how that pup wetting on my carpet would be more precious to me than most humans I know. Kane is waiting for me every day at 5:00 to come pulling into the drive rain or shine. His over exuberance of affection can bring a smile to my face even on the worst work day. Don’t tell my fiance but he cant even do that all the time. lol
Pets are wonderful and amazing and I am very proud to say that I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE and don’t care what others may say or if they laugh. Obviously they have never felt the love that these companions can bring.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 16:40I loved this. I am married and have had a child, but my dogs are a special part of me and go every where with me. Holidays are planned around taking my dogs (I have 3). If they are not with me I feel as if something is missing and that I am not whole.
I feel lost if I have to go overseas for anything and always carry their photos. I am so proud of them I often show people my pictures, just like a proud mum.
BUT my dogs are treated fairly, know the rules of the household and nothing in life is free. If they want to play they have to ask first; if they want a pat they have to ask first.
I do have a wonderful bond and trust with my dogs.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 16:50love your letter. I have four puppies, namely Rufus, a Border Collie,
UCONN, a siberian Husky, Kody and Oliver both miniature Australian shepherds. Their the love of my life, and can’t ever imagine life without them. They are loved, well feed, exercised, and want for nothing. They are always their for me, and no matter what I’m the love
of their lives. They are my children, and I can’t ever imagine life without them. I’m disabled, and all my life I took care of my family,
and now is my time to take care of my children. Unless you own a pet
you’ll never understand what they mean to me.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 16:55My wife Barb and I have two Shih-tzus, Norton and Trixie, the Honeymooners!
The are step-brother and sister, and now that our three children are grown and gone, well, we do love them, and they us. They are such great companions for us, and as in the story, when we are away from them for too long, it is tough. Glad to hear that someone else is amazingly attached to their friends too! On a recent trip to California, we live in NJ, for our anniversary, I can’t tell you how much we missed them. Every time we saw a dog that was even remotely like one of ours, we would both just look at each other, and know that we wished we could have brought them with us.
No more really long trips!!
“dog-people” are the best, wear it proudly!
Stephen
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 17:08I know I’m not cut out for parenthood of a human! I have always proudly referred to my pets as my kids. They are my love and my life. They wormed and loved their way into my fiance’s non-dog heart…he is now my husband and pets’ father. Rather “daddy” I should say. Last year, I lost my rottie to cancer. 11 years of being the only steadfast thing in my life…my protector. I still cry. At the time, I thought a replacement rottie would help…but this dog is so different! My 12 yr old yorkie hates him! My cat (who is now two…also a replacement to a former kitty) likes him ok. I worry what I’ve gotten myself into with this new dog…puppydom at its wildest. He’s ok tho. Just should’ve given myself more time. :’(
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 18:12While I do have children, once they moved out, I had a strong urge to do something more with my life. I can relate to everything you wrote and feel the same way about our sweet dogs too. They never complain, don’t ask for the car, love everything I cook for them, are there when a hug is needed and they always have a smile to greet my husband and I when we come through the door after work. Each one is unique and precious.
For those who don’t “get it”, they are missing out on so much.
Recently I formed a local rescue with other animal lovers and it’s such a rewarding experience to see each dog we save go on to share their affections and love with a family of their own. No money can buy the gift that animals give us.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 18:51I too have been unable to have children. When me and my husband got married I did get pregnant quite unexpectedly but lost it. Shortly afterwards we got a couple of half dachshunds, a brother and sister. Spoiled them we did and everywhere we went they also went. Then we acquired a third neglected female Dachshund and we let our first male and this little female have a litter. Now we happily live with eight doggies. And they are our children. They make us so happy. People think we should get rid of some of them. We never once wanted to get rid of a one. We do not plan to have more but we like our eight. I share funny stories about them and my husband on my blog I recently started. Some of them are a pretty good laugh. Hope you visit and have your hearts touched a little by my family stories. http://juliekoski.blogspot.com/
Thank you Minette for sharing your wonderful story and I thought it was written very well.Shrugs, I never saw a spelling error. I enjoyed everyone else’s sharing as well!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 19:21Oh, you touched my heart. We have 4 dogs & no children by choice. My 13 year old German Shepherd mix, Freya, is my doggie soulmate. I love all my dogs but have a special bond with her. I am going to be a basket case when she dies, but I cherish all the years with her & all of the great listening and loving that she has done.
We do go on vacation, but I make sure I have a team of reliable people to watch & love them and always have someone stay the night. And I love all the love I get when we walk in the door. But we do tent camp with them and everyone loves the beach & the woods. My life would be so empty without my dogs!
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 20:00Hi Gina,
I am also “childless” and since my 2 poodles died within 3 months of each other (one was 18 yrs old the other 14 yrs old) I feel like I have lost not only a good friend and mate but loyal companions. I have now adopted a cheeky Pomeranian from our animal refuge who absolutely adores me and won’t leave my side. (dog had been mistreated). Yes, like the others he too sleeps on my bed and keeps me company especially as my husband works constant night shifts.
Parrots are quite popular here in Australia especially our natives. I had 2 cockatiels also out of the cage and they would fly around and sit on my shoulder whilst doing housework. They also loved to be on my husband’s shoulder when he went out mowing the lawn. However “poop” flew as well as you can imagine and there was no discrimination in where it landed or ended up. Gina: I am interested to know how you trained your parrots to go to their cages and do their “poop”. I was thinking of adopting another parrot however the “poop” part isn’t very encouraging with my husband or myself and we don’t like them to be cooped up in a cage all day.
Thanks for your advise.
Chrissy – Brisbane, Australia
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 22:10I totally relate with everything you have written.I have 3 grown children and 2 grandkids of my own and I still love my furry friends. I have six daxies – 4 are rescue. Always give rescue dogs a home. They are so good for the soul. Although there lives with us are short I wouldn’t change it for the world. When I die PLEASE LET ME GO TO DOGGY HEAVEN. We can learn so much from them. Ruth
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 23:07Hi, me again. Next to every Old age/retirment home, there should be a home for children and for animals. They could all interact with one another – wouldn’t it make a place for great healing. Animals/birds bring souls from the depths of darkness and light their spirit, when people cannot get through.
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@ July 16th, 2011 at 23:17I have 4 children all grown & left home & now 4 grandchildren.
I always wanted a small dog but was met with much resistance from my husband, after finally giving in he brought me a Beshion frise X poodle,
my husband fell in love with her immediatly as did I, needless to say we now have two dogs as he said Beanie needed a sister so he bought me a short haired pom which we named Mishka. They are our change of life babies we just love them unconditionly, they give us so much love & happiness. As far as were concerned their not dogs their 4 legged people. They also bring love & happiness to 80 residents at the aged care facility where I work, They come to work with me & the residents just love them & they just thrive on the attention. Like you we very rearly go anwhere that we can’t take the girls & the only person we trust to look after them is my daughter who loves them as much as we do!!
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 00:46I have has four very different dogs from the same bread and find it hard when people do not understand the bond you build up with them all and how different it can be with each of them.
To all my fellow dog lovers i say carry on the good work and to those that don’t understand I say step away from the temptation to get a dog it’s not for you and you will do more harm to the dog than kindness.
I miss all the dogs that we have lost but am happy with the knowledge that we shared so many good times and they never answered me back or took me for granted.
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 02:14I can relate wholeheartedly. We have 6 kids (canines) on our farm, 4 of which are rescues, and have lost our share of kids to illness from severe hip dysplasia (sp) to cushings(with seizures)and leukemia to old age. It never gets easier and yes we have to make doctors appts. so someone can be home with the crew. Yes, they get a choice of pbutter or jelly on their morning toast. lol
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 06:17hi
you all sound like lovely caring people.
we had out terrier for 14 years we all adored him, he died christmas before last and the whole family was devasted. i never thought id get used to another dog but xmas just gone my 4 grown up kids bought us a pup, hes a jackchowowa [ dont no how to spell it] his mums jack russell , dads chowowa, hes 7months old now only little and i adore him hes full of life. the only problem is he barks at every single niose and itd driving me to distraction. i bought a machine for 35pound it sends a signal to dogs ears wen they bark to long, needless to say he barks at that aswell, i just dont no wot to do, ive tried squirting water at him that didnt work either, also he jumps all over visitors. any sugestions please im geting desperate as im not in good health. hes so lovely an loving but nieghbours moan wen hes in garden as he constantly barks.
heres hoping
sue
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 08:49Thank you for putting your sentiments onto the web. I have four rescue dogs, 13yr old Cna-ani, 7yr old Cna-ani, 4yr old Spitz mix and a 20 month old Springer Spaniel mix. Plus three rescue cats. All very beautiful. I believe because of the deep love we all share.
When I go away I have a regular doggy sitter and also everyday my sitter comes to give my oldest dog her medicine because I get home to late to give her, her afternoon dosage.
I also have no children and at his time no partner but I live a full life. When I was very ill they never left my side including my cats. I happily join you in your sentiments and although they are not instead of a partner they still fill my world with joy. By the way Cna-ani is the Israeli Desert Dog. My oldest was a wild dog when she first came to me. I also have learnt so much by caring for these animals and others before them.
Power to all dog,cat and all other animal lovers. Those who cannot connect to animals are missing a great deal.
Ire`ne.
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 10:46I loved this!
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 10:46I have one son, now grown & gone, and I love him dearly – but he has never shown me the absolute devotion that my dogs have! He loves me, and tells me so occasionally – but now that he has his own place and things to do, I see him less and less. But my dogs are here for me all the time, and mope when I go out – even if “daddy” is home. He likes them a lot, but considers them “just dogs” – and never has understood why I love to baby them. When it is safe to do so, I take them with me when I go somewhere in the car – but never when it is too hot to leave them in it without the car running for the air conditioner! I also refuse to leave them outside all the time, though one is a large breed – actually I had 2 large and 1 small until 2 weeks ago, when I had to have one euthanized for health problems and too much pain – and my husband gets upset with me. But I am adamant, they are my babies, and I can’t change the way I feel!
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 11:29I don’t have human children either, but say all time if people treated people like four legged children treated people, it would be a different world. I know I test and love my girls better than some parents breather children. I recently lost my maltese and my heart was broken. It’s been four months and I still cry over her.
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 12:03Yes I am one of those “Crazy” dog ladies. I love my four legged family members.THEY are members of your family,IF your a dog person. My Dutchess passed away of cancer,she was 12.Just recently> Max my german shepherd passed on 8-1-09 of a brain annurism he was 7.Kramer passed a week before Christmas of last year,very complicated jaw disease,he was 12. And no it doesn’t get easier,grief is grief wheather its over humans or animals.Now I have Katy,a spring/english setter mix. At 10 months she is spoiled but we’re still working on the training of her obedience.Some days she does better than others.But she will get there,just gotta be compassionate and like with human’s consistent.:) There are dog people and then there’s people that have does,two totally different kinds of people. Dog people are GRRRRREAT!!! I heard my daughter say once “mom, I think God made dogs just for me”.
Well baby-girl,they were made for me too
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 13:31To all dog lovers (and lovers of all animals)We have had three dogs, all very wonderful, exciting to be around.The third dog is very much alive.Her name is Coco,a fifteen month old chocolate lab mix, of unknown parents and lineage.
About our first dog: Duchess was a mixed breed, very small dog,with a very bushy tail and great sense of humor, who loved digging in our garden and being an all around great companion for our children through their young years.She was abandoned along a highway with her siblings in 1965.Duchess grew old with us and our children finally becoming very sick and disoriented in her nineteenth year.Duchess was put down ( I hate that word)the day before I left for active duty in 1984.We buried her in our back yard.Much loved, much missed, by all of us.Our daughter still has her favorite toys.And we have our memories of a sweet dog who was everything to our family.
Our second dog was Hershey, a purebred Chocolate Labrador Retriever, a gift from our daughter in 1998.Hershey was, and still remains, the love of our lives.Very sweet, obedient,with a great sense of humor, and very playful. We have a fish pond, and Hershey always paid attention to Frisky, a very large Koi. One day, as Frisky was swimming close to Hershey, Hershey attempted to catch Frisky (retriever, right)- as she attempted to catch Frisky, Frisky smacked her on the nose with her tail. Never bothered that fish again!
On New Years Eve, 2009, Hershey ate one hundred and seventy four pennies,which we did not know until we took her for a walk.I noticed her stomach seemed to be very large.We took her to OSU Veterinary Hospital, where they operated on her.If we had waited one more day, Hershey could have died from the reaction of pennies in her system.
Hershey died December 20 2010 at 10:20 a.m under an injection by our Veterinarian, and we stayed with her until the end.A very sweet Labrador Retriever,still very much in our hearts.
Coco is our third dog, a rescue dog from Arkansas,now living in Ohio. Very Sweet, very obstinate, but learning about toys and games,and interactions with people.She misses her siblings, and that is very understandable, since she was raised on a rescue farm with ninety other dogs.We love her too.What a good thing i life to have dogs and other animald that give us such great comfort and love.
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 17:41I relate 100%. I too am a mother to furry babies, but none with my DNA. My dog is no less my daughter. Never feel you have to apologize for love! The saddest people in the world are those who have none. Remember animals are the only family members you can choose!
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 19:15that is how i feel about my dog lucy if she can not come i will not be there missed a weding because of it to bad my relitives want me to come over but lucy whould have to stay in the car no that will not happen that is to bad for them if we go to the bech we know a place lucy can come so that is good
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 21:40I have a lovely spoit dog his name is Lance…Oh I love him he is everything to me.People make fun of me that does not bother me at all.I dont have kids he is my baby,he is a friend.
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@ July 17th, 2011 at 23:15I love this story. I hate leaving my dog and have started visiting only businesses that allow Ellie.
She is my dog soulmate and I am thankful I have her.
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 04:07I grew up with dogs and am an absolute dog-lover. My wife and I don’t have “human” children – however, our 2 Jack Russells (Lucy & Tucker) are loved as much as any other family member in our clan. My mother fondly refers to them as her “Grand Dogs”. Anyone who has loved and lost a pet knows that it is just as difficult as losing any loved one in your life.
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 04:12When I read your article I knew I was not alone… I have two sons and they love and look out for me like you cant believe… they go everywhere with me and they love the beach… I am 55 and to say that my dogs “sons” are part of the family is an understatement… keep the articles coming… god bless you
Mike in Jamaica
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 05:18I’m so sorry about your dog. I have been through that pain, but think of the comfort you are giving him. At least, he will know that he has been loved.
90% of our animals are rescued. We took in a little beagle that showed up in our guesthouse (cardboard crate we keep on our carport) last January. It took us 3 days to coax him out; he was obviously a hunting dog that had been “dropped off”. He showed signs of abuse, but once he got over his fear of us, he was quite affectionate. By the time we had come to love him, we discovered he had heartworms. The blood test at the initial checkup we took him to must have come out a false negative, because he had been on heartworm pills. We did everything to save him, but he was too far gone and he died in April. We still miss him and created a little cemetary that we can see from our balcony with a solar light on it.
In spite of the heartbreak, I would not trade a minute of our time with this little fellow- or any of our other critters. They are much more important than a pleasure trip.
Fonda in MS
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 08:21I have a 13-1/2 year old female lab/chow mix named Lady. She just showed up under my car one Saturday morning when she was about 3 months old, and I had a dog (Susie), and I let Susie out that morning to go outside, and she immediately went to my car and started barking. Growling ensued from beneath the car, and I tried to see what animal it was, but it kept moving around so I couldn’t see, but it sure sounded like a dog….I put Susie back in the house and went and sat next to my car and started making kissing noises, and in about two minutes, Lady was in my lap, telling me how lonely she was, how lost she was, how hungry and thirsty she was, and how scared she was. (I think somebody dumped her in the neighborhood.) I wasn’t sure I would keep her because I already had Susie, but finally I decided to keep her, and Susie trained her.
Lady has been my best friend since Susie died, Lady has never piddled (except recently because she’s ill), or chewed on shoes or furniture, or made a mess, or done anything that would be considered inappropriate behavior. Now she has arthritis and a stomach ulcer (perhaps stomach cancer – but I can’t afford the tests to see if that’s what it is), and since she has an ulcer, I can’t give her anything for the arthritis, so she’s in pain – she limps, but she’s happy! My daughter, who calls me only when she wants me to babysit my toddler grandsons, tells me I should put Lady down because she is suffering, but although Lady is hard of hearing and has cataracts, she is happy, and she is enduring her pain and she is not ready to go. I’ll know when she is ready to go – but she is still happy and content with her life – she’s a little more dependent on me that she has been heretofore, but that’s okay with me – when she “leaks”, I just wash her bottom and clean the carpet. We adjust for our human children, why can’t we adjust for our furbabies? She eats well (I give her the occasional piece of steak – she is an omnivore, after all! She likes green beans too, and broccoli…
She is my best friend, and I know her endtime is coming. I don’t know how I’ll get through it, but I’ll bury her on my property – Susie is buried here, and a turtle I found badly injured on a street close to me, and a Manx kitty I had who was hit by a car and killed instantly, and my daughter’s cat, who was hit by a car also (she brought him here to be buried), so I have my own little Pet Sematary goin’ on….
I figure I’ll have to get another dog very soon, and I always get one from a shelter, and my dogs always overcome whatever socialization problems or fears they had – Susie was terrified of men when I got her, which I discovered when I brought her home and put on jeans for the evening and she ran away and hid from me, shaking in fear. After two years of living with me, she would walk straight up to anybody who came to visit, male or female, and bark at them and demand to be acknowledged and petted – they had to say her name and pet her and then she would be content and go and lie down on her couch. And she was my best friend until I had to put her down.
I love my furbabies and I know I wax verbose, but Lady is my best friend and I’m gonna lose her pretty soon, and it’s breaking my heart. Still, I don’t want to have her put down (killed) until it’s obvious that she’s suffering greatly…as long as she’s happy, I intend to keep her alive and take as good care of her as I can. I adore her, and she loves me right back, with all her heart!!
My furbabies are my children!
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 09:19I often say that my dogs are like having a 3 year old around (‘cept my Aussie’s more like an 8 yr old), but without the tantrums! They don’t talk back, do drugs, alcohol, yell or bully their mom. If I knew then what I know now, my son would likely not have been born, but my dogs sure would!
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 10:24I agree with all of you its just like that song Roy Rogers used to sing MY FOUR LEGGED FRIEND MY FOUR LEGGED FRIEND HE”LL NEVER LET ME DOWN HE”S HONEST AN FAITHFUL RIGHT UP TO THE END MY WONDERFUL WONDER FULl four legged friend IN THIS CASE MY THREE YEAR OLD BICHON SHITZU OLIVER Although the song is about a horse it goes for dogs too.
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 11:0846 years old and never had kids…my 2 dogs and 2 cats ARE my children! I totally relate to this blog! I am also a Christian and believe very strongly that God gave us animals to have that close relationship with. They are a true gift. There are many Bible versus that I believe prove that our animals WILL be with us in Heaven.
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 13:36I know what u all are feeling. I had a little Yorkie for a year and half, then he got out in street and got killed. That killed me and a big peice of my heart went w/him. The vet gave us a casket type box to put him in and we put his favorite toy and his favorite snacks in w/him and his favorite blankee. He was and still is my darling baby boy. 3 days after it happened, someone gave me another yorkie that weighed about 12 1/2 lbs. I missed Rocky so bad, it took me a while to warm up to Tator. Bu still pulled myself up to show him all the love he too deserved. He was 14 months old when we got him. How anyone could give such a darling baby away, it broke my heart, but they were so kind as to give him to me. Then after awhile, we also got another yorkie and named him Rocky and now Tator has a little brother/playmate. They love eachother. Little Rocky just turned one a few months ago. He weighs about 8 lbs. Both of these babies are Mommy’s little chunky monkey. I am on dialysis 3 days a week and when I come home, they get all my love. These little boys are my children, and I would be so lost w/out them. My first Rocky was also my service dog, and I am training my new Rocky to be a service dog also. But when I take Rocky w/me, I feel guilty leaving Tator home, so I try to take both of them when I can. They love getting out and going w/Mommy and Mommy loves haveing them w/me too. Not a bit spoiled, LOL Oh yes they are. LOL My babies, my chidren. I even love dressing them and they love their clothes too. They are so adorable and yse, they are very very spoiled. But that’s Mommy’s job is to keep them fed, clothed, a roof over their head and happy as the give me unconditional love like no human ever can. And they are my little human children. So everyone, Love your furry babies as they are our children and we all love them more then life itself. I do anyway. Enjoy your babies as u never know what may happen or how much time u may have w/them. Sandy
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@ July 18th, 2011 at 19:04In the course of the 33 years that I’ve been with my husband we have had no human children, but we’ve had 3 dogs come and bless our lives, and then go to doggie heaven. Each one taking a piece of our hearts with them. It got harder with the passing of each one – it is truly like losing a human family member – really worse because you are actually responsible for the well being of these babies like you are for a human child. The one we have now (our 4th) is by far the sweetest, cutest, silliest most loving and most special baby we’ve ever had – a golden retriever husky mix named Sasha. We had just lost our 15 year old lab chow mix, and my father in law – both to cancer, within 10 days of each other, and she wiggled her way into our hearts and brought not only my husband and I, but my mother in law too, out of the funk we were in and gave us pure joy. Nine months after we fell in love with this beautiful creature, she got out of the yard and ended up about 60 miles north of us – for 4 days. Oh how I wish she could tell us the details of her adventure! It is a true miracle about how we got her back, but those 4 days were the worst days in our lives! We were all just sick. I didn’t just pray to God for her safe return – I wailed!
She has never been boarded, and probably never will. We try to take her where she can come with us. If she can’t come – she stays with her “Grandma” (my mother in law), or her PawPaw (my Dad), both of whom she adores, and adore her. In October we will drive out of state to my cousins wedding, and will stay at – you guessed it – a La Quinta because they accept pets.
Most every day for over 2 years now, I take her to a park about a mile away, where she can romp, swim and play with all her buddies. She is the belle of the ball! Everyone – human and and animal – loves Sasha! It’s just like taking your human child to the playground – all the adult humans sit around and talk while the “kids” play. Every once in a while you have to get up and play with your child or stop a squabble, just like with human children.
All this to say – I can totally relate about the fur babies being our children. Mine sure is, and I treat her as such! Thanks for the post and the discussion.
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@ July 19th, 2011 at 07:41Thank you for a beautiful love letter to your faithful friend. The world is a better place because we have dogs who love us.
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@ July 19th, 2011 at 09:36Some people might see my wife and me as empty nesters, but our “kid” is a Maltipoo named Rambo. My wife has three sons (all grown) but she tells people that Rambo is the best kid she has. We are definitely Rambo’s mommy and daddy.
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@ July 20th, 2011 at 17:43I’m a dog mama to an 17 year old, 11 year old, and 4 year old. I’ve had the 17 year old 15 years, the 11 year old 11 years, and the 4 year old 1 month. The love is amazing. I really am not too sure if I want children.
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@ July 20th, 2011 at 20:00I can totally relate. I am one of THOSE people. But I disagree that the reason for it is not having a human child. I have a 9 year old human son, who is everything to me. I still love my 8 dogs like my children. They are part of the family. They are all rescue dogs and needed me and still do. I’m responsible for them. I know how it feels not wanting to go away from home and leaving them behind. As the family grew I bought a bigger truck and changed it to transport dogs comfortably. If I can’t take my dogs I don’t go unless I really have to and then I keep it as short as possible. I lost my old boy last year. He was 17 years old. As I sit here thinking about him I get tears in my eyes. He left a huge gap in my heart and life and I will always love him and miss him.
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@ July 21st, 2011 at 06:06Truly they are the gems in our lives. I have 8 of my fur children and they are my kids. Sometimes my husband would tel me that if somebody is listening from afar, they wouldn’t think I was talking to a dog. Love them to death and yes I don’t have human children.
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@ July 23rd, 2011 at 01:53Minette and your Adorable Baby, I’m sorry if I didn’t catch his name but he’s a cutie and I sure wish the Best to you and him. That’s amazing how he alerts you, that’s so awesome, you can’t depend on a human like that. I so agree with your way of thinking because I feel the exact same way. Why are our communities so against having our Babies with us? It’s unfair to them and us as a Family. I just said to my Husband the other day that I wanted to move somewhere like Montana where you can take your Doggies with you where ever you go. If you have never visited Montana every single shop you visit has a bowl of water and some keep treats for them too, how awesome is that? You hardly EVER see that here in Ohio. I was in the Hospital a few ago and my Husband Mike brought our Baby Mel to see me in my room. Well, you would have thought he was asking the nurse to take her heart out, He was so offended and as I. Come on people, we are all here for just a short time let us take our Furry Children where ever we go just like you take your Human Children with you. I get so livid when people say Dogs are not aloud in here. What can we do about this? I would love to, along with a million other people, take my Furry Kids with me to more places. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s very touching and like I said earlier I wish you and your Doggy the best.
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@ July 28th, 2011 at 10:03ssshisaI definitely can relate. My little boy is a 4year old Shih tzu but I have only had him for a year. He is a rescue dog that has become such a major part of my life I won’t think going anywhere that he cannot go. If I leave the house to go to the store I calls him and let him know that mommy will be home soon and how much I miss him. He can hear my voice on the speaker phone. I know he understands. I am so attached that I did not know that was possible. I even put him before me. I had him micro chipped and pray to God that if he ever gets lost that I would find him again. I would do anything for him. I though that I was the only one who made their pet such an important part of their live but I am truly happy to read the comments of so many and to know that I am not alone/
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@ July 31st, 2011 at 08:31Really good blog, thank you so much for taking the effort to write this post. This web site is very informative. Keep up the good work.
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@ November 30th, 2011 at 21:24