Inquiring Minds Want to Know.. Why did you get a dog?

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have been thinking about this for a while.... I see people get dogs and then give them back because they decided it was not what they were looking for, more then they can handle etc.

 

What makes a person get a dog??? If I can be gut honest, which I can if I want, Thank you USA. I was never a dog person, I did not have any respect for a dog as a living creature, I was one of those that I now feel sorry for because they have no idea what they are missing out on.

 

I am a people pleaser to a fault. Some friends of mine had two dogs, I was able to see the bond that they had with them, though I didn't understand it. I thought they were "a bit much" to have a basket of toys for a dog but whatever.

 

Fast forward, I was at one of my doctors appointment, a doctor I don't see anymore but I had just started going there. She had two Goldendoodles. She was head over heels in love with them. I ended up being admitted into the hospital... and for my follow up appointment, my mom and I went to see her.

 

We were flabbergasted when she walked in the room and sat down and cried. Neither both my mom or I were dog people. Unfortunately for my poor doctor, her two dogs were involved in a horrible freak accident, one fell off of a sun roof and the other jumped off after him. One of the dogs had to be put down, and the other required extensive surgery but survived.

 

The poor doctor, had to do clinic that day and she sat down and cried and cried and cried and showed us pictures.. I am a total bleeding heart so I cried too. My mom she was sad for her but thinking we just drove almost three hours and she wanted to discuss my hospital stay and coming off the IV antibiotics.. We were not able to discuss anything that day, We were just a friend to her.

 

We both got in the car, (my mom and I) we had no idea what to say, We could not imagine someone being so upset about a dog. Not because we were cold hearted but because we just didn't know.

 

My heart was so broke for her that I ended up sending her dog a get well basket..Thank Goodness for google, I googled what to do for someone when their dog dies or is hurt.

 

So we sent out a basket for the dog that lived and a condolence thing for the one that passed.

 

We became friends and she was still my doctor. My health at the time was horrible and I needed to stop working but was depressed about it....I started talking to my friend a lot about her dogs and I actually was just thinking about getting one.. I was not totally sold out on it but as a gift, Jack was purchased for me, or a good part of him was.

 

The next thing I knew, I was going to be a puppy mom. I didn't know the first thing about it. I didn't even know how I was going to let a dog in my house, NO ONE comes in my house with shoes on. I would challenge people to find one speck of dust anywhere.

 

In walks Jack to my life, I never knew what I was missing, I didn't know the hole in my heart that needed to be filled.

 

How about you, what made you decide to get a dog? Was it empty nest syndrome? Was it because you grew up with dogs and always had one? Did you fall in love with a rescue? What made you get a dog???

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

ha ha ha. firm poop makes me happy too!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

The longest I have not had a dog living with me was college and then the 1st 2 months living in an apartment after graduation.  Growing up, we went 6 months without a family dog and that was it.  It was not fun.

I got Taquito right after graduation from college and then Peri 2 years ago.  I don't think we will ever not have a dog.  They have always been a presence in my household.  On a few occasions when Peri and T. are not at home (i.e. when we are leaving early the next day for vacation without them and they are already at my parent's house), it is empty and we HATE IT.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Jennifer, that is a beautiful story. I'm really happy you found your love for dogs! I had always been drawn to dogs, although I went through a phase in my 20s where I was suddenly afraid of big ones - a friends rotweiler was a bit mean - but I got over it. For the longest time I couldn't afford it or had roommates so it wasn't an option. I always found myself drawn to shaggy dogs and couldn't resist petting them. that's how I learned about doodles. I always knew I wanted pets but the right time only came recently. I couldn't be happier with my decision.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I grew up with dogs and horses.  My husband had not.  When I married and moved five hours from home for my husband to do graduate work, I gained an apartment, a job, and husband and lost my animals.  For five years in the apartment, I had no dogs.  When my husband finished school we could afford to bring one of the horses to us.  Then we had a baby and moved 2000 miles.  The horse was no longer affordable and returned to my parents home.  Sitting on the front lawn of our new house with a baby and little else, since the furniture truck had not arrived, my DH found a "free husky" in the penny-saver.  He asked me if I wanted to call about him and adopt him.  Ivan came us that day.  He was a three year old shepherd-husky mix that was used to a baby.  My DH really is a darling.  I was 2000 miles from home with a baby, a traveling husband, no car.  Ivan was my comfort, my friend, my baby's friend.  He always traveled with us.  I have never been without a dog since.  I hope I never have to be.

[Leslie and Halas]

My family always had a dog when I was growing up.  After my husky passed away in 2003, I went without a dog for awhile.  I had heard of doodles by then, but I didn't know much about them.  When I bought my condo, I made sure they allowed dogs, just in case I wanted a dog again at some point.  For a few years, I just enjoyed being able to come and go as I pleased, but those adorable doodle faces eventually got the best of me.  I was lucky enough to find a great breeder about 1/2 hour away, and when she started breeding minis, I got my name on a list.  I had really missed having a dog in my life.  Now I wonder what I even did when I was able to "come and go as I pleased."

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am so sorry to read about some of your struggles and losses.  I don't really have any tragic reason why I wanted Bexter.  My boys are just getting older (the youngest is now 6 and will be going to school full time this year).  I kind of wanted a dog so my boys when they grow up can fondly look back at their childhood & have great memories of playing with him.  I also selfishly wanted to be wanted & needed a little more since my boys are becoming more independent.  Now I want another one because I need a girl!  Also I want Bexter to have a dog to play with & I think it would be fun watching the two of them play together.