When did you become a 'dog person'?

[Adina P]

Shoney's recent blog post about how smitten she is with her new pup Ruby and calling herself a 'dog lady' made me wonder... When did you first become or consider yourself a 'dog person'?   Was there a defining moment? 

I for one was NOT a dog person until I met my husband.  He had a border collie that was perfect in every way.  One day he left her with me for a day or weekend or something while he was out of town.  The whole idea of a dog INSIDE my house was still a little nerve wracking, but by then I had chilled out a wee bit.  One day while dog sitting Cass, I came home from work and realized it was so nice to have a living creature home to greet me.  I took her for a drive to a pet store just for fun.  I think that was the start.  Then I got Rosco...

Later our first Christmas card as a family...

Share your 'becoming a dog person' story!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

 I was never a dog, cat, bird,fish,horse or any animal person. As kids, we mostly lived in the city and when we finally did move to the suburbs, the one time we did get a dog, he was hit by a car within weeks of getting. My parents never had pets, and as parents, we never allowed pets. Like Adina, I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea of an animal being IN my home, and I was not going to fence in a yard for one, so, like F, I told my kids they could get a dog when they got their own homes. And thats just what they both did.  I can tell you the exact date and time I became a dog person, the weekend of our daughters wedding, when I met her then 5 month old Marley. He absolutely stole my heart and I just had to have this feeling in my life. I had an AH HA moment and finally figured out what all the fuss was about. Or so I thought, that is, until I actually got my first dog, Murphy.  I remember having feelings like I did for my newborns, I wanted to protect him, feed him the best, cuddle with him, teach him the right things, watch every cute little thing he did and I loved how he always wanted to be near me every second, and how I missed him if I had to leave.  He was sleeping in our bed by the first week, went everywhere with us from day one and since I had already found DK, he was given the best of care and training from what I learned here. I do look at all dogs differently now, I see them as loving companions, with their own personalities and quirks. I feel ill when I read about one being abused or neglected and feel joy when one is rescued or fostered to a good home or cured after an illness.  Both things I never gave a moments thought about before. So Marley made me a dog person.  

[Camilla and Darwin]

My parents tell me that I was 3 or 4, which is about when I got my very own dog encyclopedia and started getting dog stuffed animals and toys. I was so obsessed by the time I was 8 years old that my parents (who hate dogs) caved in and let me have one. She was a retired bomb squad dog, a black lab named Kallie and I loved her so much. My room growing up was a bit crazy, posters and statues and stuffed dogs everywhere. So it's kind of been a lifelong thing. I always knew, as did everyone else, that I would get my own dog as soon as I moved out and got my own place. Which I did. :-) 

[Sara]

I would say I'm an animal person. I grew up on a farm and was definitely raised in an atmosphere of "animals have their purpose and their place". Meaning, all of the animals had a reason for being on the farm (cats kept mice out of the barn, cattle are for milking, etc). Dogs were for companionship and protection (for humans they warned us when someone came down the lane and ran off foxes/coyotes/etc at night, thereby protecting the other animals). I was "friends" with all of the animals. I can remember burying my face in a cow's fur and crying many times! Lol. I am the youngest of nine children and our mom and dad were definitely "free range" parents. They literally rang a bell at meal times that you could hear from every corner of the farm and we'd all go running for the outside faucet to wash faces/hands before going inside to eat. With my upbringing, you naturally came aware of respecting all animals ( especially the ones we hunted for food). So I wouldn't say I'm a dog person. Definitely an animal person.

Do I let my dogs sleep in my bed? Nope. Beds are for humans at my house. So is furniture. But my dogs (and all of our animals) are still loved and our "friends", and are treated very well. I honestly feel like we have symbiotic relationships with our animals. They all have their purposes and we (humans) have ours. And, together, our farm "works" for everyone. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I enjoyed reading your perspective and experiences.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I read through the post on being a dog person and how articulate so many of you are in your posts.  So I start thinking how flippant I must have sounded in my first post when I am not that kind of person.  Just was just easier to say than to write what I really feel.  So please bear with me.

I occasionally had a dog growing up but most of all I remember the beautiful red colored Belgium Shepherd I brought home one day.  My mom actually let me keep him.  When I took a break from college and took a job in Japan I took Prinz with me. 

There were other shepherd over the years but when I had to put the last one down I decided to not get another dog. I was traveling a lot for business and felt I just did not have a sufficient support structure to have a dog.

Well, then Oakley came into our lives.  He is my son and daughter-in-law's ALD.  We dog sat often from the time he was a puppy.   It took me a year to talk my husband into our getting an ALD of our own. He finally caved.  It was more challenging for us to pick a name we could both agree on than agreeing to kid's names we both might like.

When Hurley came into our lives I melted from the minute I saw him.  We picked him up at airport freight area and when I opened his kennel he was hiding as far back in the corner as he could.  As silly as this might sound we looked each other in the eyes and connected from that moment.   I smiled and reached out to him and he came right into my arms.  I am his mom and he is my 4 legged child.  

When my husband had some medical issues and was either in the hospital or rehab facility for around 5 months Hurley was my salvation, my buddy, my comfort.

When my husband was diagnosed with cognitive PD Hurley was and is the one I talked and talk to about what is happening and the constant changes in our daily lives. He is my confidant, my companion, my running mate, my confessor.  When he wants to play I will drop what I am doing and play with him, when he wants to just lay by me on the couch (he is not a cuddler) I let him on the couch.  When he wants to lay by the screen door and watch what is going on outside I will leave the door open a little no matter how cold.   

So, I guess I have almost always had a dog for a pet most of my life and always loved dogs.  But when Hurley came into my life he brought new meaning to loving dogs or possibly being considered a dog person.  Before Hurley I doubt I ever let a dog lick me in the face but Hurley gives me kisses all the time.  Before Hurley the dogs I had were outside dogs.  Hurley is more of an inside dog and I love it.   Hurley has doggie play days at our house and doggie sleep overs.  

Hurley was a comfort to my mom in her last days.  He was only 2 years old but he laid by her side until she passed away.   

Now I look at every dog I see with an entirely different perspective.  Not as a dog but as a 4 legged special pal and friend to their owner.  Now I enjoy the kisses of our friend's dogs and I want to stop and talk to every dog owner and pet their dog. I don't but I sure want to.

The love of a dog changes the lives of many and Hurley sure did that for me.  I am a more patient person, a more understanding and forgiving person than I ever was.  

[BG and Gavin]

Your story is very touching Diane.  I am glad Hurley found you :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Your story and relationship with Hurley is really special.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

It sounds like Hurley came into your life for a reason -- and your bond is a very special one.  

[Christy&Riley]

My parents had a few dogs before I was born but none after that. In fact, I've been scared of dogs most my life. Fast forward to a few years ago when I met a friend's labradoodle. She was big but sweet and I learned not to be quite so intimidated when she came running up. Then two years ago my husband started thinking about a dog. I was torn because I wanted a dog but was petrified at the same time. What if I woke in the night and the dog bit me because he thought I was an intruder? Sounds crazy now but I never had a good experience with a dog that didn't scare me. I even had a friend who got her cheek bitten off by a dog when we were little. So anyways...we went to visit a GD puppy nearby just to see how comfortable I would be. A week or two later she was ours! There probably wasn't a day the first year when I didn't question our decision. But now at almost 2 years old, I think Riley was one of the best decisions we ever made. Not only is she a doll and everyone loves her (even my MIL!), but I have grown so much myself. Not such a germaphobe (lol) and it is great feeling so comfortable with a dog after all those years. Granted, I wouldn't feel safe around many other dogs, but I have no fear with Riley. I love her crazy yet tender personality and can't wait to get home to see her. She definitely isn't "just a dog" in our book...and I don't think she sees herself that way either! :-)

[Donna K & Quincy]

We didn't have pets growing up but we always wanted them. I was always a dog liker and only since Quincy have I become a dog lover. My dog sleeps in my bed but he's not a licker (except my toes given the chance) but if he was I'd welcome those kisses. Sshhh, don't tell Quincy he's not a child, he'll be devastated, right now he thinks he looks different because he's adopted. :>)

[F, Calla & Luca]

:-)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOVE....