Slap my face.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Sometimes I really dont understand myself. I would like to be a fly on the wall listening in to the analysis of my psyche by some Dr. Phil type.

We have always had a dog since 1986. We are on our 4th. The first 2 had their time on earth and crossed over.

But I distinctly remember saying, 2 yrs ago or so, that Bailey (then 10) would be our last dog. I obviously wasnt that enthused in dog ownership at that point in my life thinking of the hassles that come along with owning a dog ..."all they do is poop in the yard, create work, and limit your freedom." I said that! So how did I come to have a new pup 2 yrs later?? That lady needs a shrink, eh?

And....thats not even the peacocks arse! Get this....I have been looking at pictures of puppies and dreaming about yet another puppy to add to the brood. Daddy where are you? (RIP) I need you here to tell me in your wonderful German accent with that lovely deep timbre "you must be out of your falkin mind!"

I miss you so much.

Maybe this is what the dog obsession is about?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

After 7 years of no dogs in our home - yeah, we had the discussion of no kids, what if we want to just take off and want to go away, we are at the time in our lives we will travel the world, blah, blah, blah. No travelling or just taking off but still no dog.
Well, we still don't travel but we do have Samantha since last May! The best spur of the moment decision I have ever made!!!!
I find myself also look at the puppies being born here in DK and check the rescue sites and pick out names but still only Samantha. It will interesting to see where we are a year from now.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You have crossed over into the obsession category - like most of the rest of us.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Oh Michelle, that quote says it all!! Just lovely-now I am in tears.

[Michele Barton]

Our golden retriever Katie passed three years ago, and the past 3 years have been the longest ones of my life, pining away for a dog. At first, I also didn't want another one, the heartbreak was just too much. But it didn't take long before I was researching and dreaming of my new babies. Just after Katie died, we had to move for my DH's job, and while there we both worked VERY long hours, so we waited until we moved back home to get Gus and Molly. For me, having a dog is a matter of necessity. They complete my life. Yes, logistically it was much easier without one, we could go out and not have to worry about getting back because of the dog, and they can be a real pain in the you-know-what sometimes, but they bring so much joy and unconditional love into your life, they are more than worth every sacrifice you make in order to have them. I don't think you're obsessed, I think you're just right! I have an old calendar page on my desk with a quote by Louis Sabin, it says "No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

[Phoebe's Mom]

We had a dog over ten years ago and when my son was born, we needed to rehome her. I was devastated. I have told all 4 of my children that we live in a "Pet Free Zone" and I stuck with that sentiment for all these years. A year ago, we moved to MN and I was faced with 4 very unhappy children all dying for a puppy--and then I found doodles!!! So long 'pet free zone' as I am hooked--my Phoebe is my love and I adore her. I am now researching cavadoodles as one of my boys wants a small dog, too. My husband is ready to have me committed ASAP.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I think when one family pet passes on we always say "No More" because of the pain we go through with the loss, than we feel guilty as we are trying to replace what we lost, but in reality the animail we lost would tell us, No don't feel that way at all, go out and find yourself someone else to fill my void and let another animal have the pleasure of being in a safe and loving home as I was able to enjoy for all them years"! My two Rotties meant the world to me, Magic passed away Dec. 7, 2003 and Holly Nov 1, 2007. Hannah came into my life the next day, Nov 2nd and I was going through all the above, till a friend reminded me how Magic and Holly would feel knowing the sadness of missing them I was going through and they would not want this.

[Kai Doodle (Kathy & Keith)]

I've not had a dog for many years. Keith knew I was a dog lover, we walk on the strand ( a path along the beach here) If it's got four legs and looks friendly I talk & pet the dog and say hello to the owner. So after 2 years of living together and many hours spent on the computer looking at puppies. He said what I didn't dare dream of hearing him say "Sweetie,whatever you want, if a puppy is what you want and it will make you happy get one." His one request was please no shedding. (His ex had multiple cats and the man spent too much time time removing tons of white hair from black pants) So I started researching and found Doodles. He has spent the last 5 months watching packages delivered and me bring different items into the house in preperation for Kai. We are now 72 hours away from the arrival of one in a long line of wonderful animals in my life and the VERY FIRST dog Keith & his son Alex have ever had. What has Keith done to prepare for Kai's arrival? Two extra gates so people reading utility meters can't let him out. Researching the best vet with co workers who have dogs, installing fake doggy grass for Kai. Bought a doggy front pack so Kai can go with us on walks without touching contaminated animals or ground. I use to think I was maybe a little obsessed, I'm thinking not so much any more. ;-)

[Adina P]

Enjoyed your musings =)
Ahhh...I can see myself feeling the same way many years from now! And just like Karen I look at breeder sites regularly...admiring puppies and choosing my favs from various breeders. I even look at local BYB sites just to see what they've got that they shouldn't ;-)
I show Clark photos of my dream doodles and am both secretly wishing he'll grant me permission for a 4th dog AND really glad he won't. I do NOT actually want more NOW...but like to dream.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

ROFL, LMAO and PMP, you are way too funny! Believe it or not, I said the exact same thing when my last dog passed away. Both DH and I said, "NO MORE PETS". We lost two very old cats a year apart and then the dog. The heartbreak was too much.

Now I have a doodle and another on the way so I must be nuttier than you. I didn't even think twice about a second dog. I think we are just Doodle Obsessed.....Dr. Phil should do a show on that. We would be the perfect guests.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I spend hours looking at dogs on-line. Rescues, puppies, breeders who have older dogs, you name it.
I need another dog like a hole in the head. I have no time or money for another dog. I barely have time & money enough for Jack.
But I keep looking. I think up names. I try to figure out where I would put the crate and the bowls.
I think people who love dogs, and have always lived with dogs, are always dreaming of the "next" dog.
I don't think you're crazy at all.
I think your Daddy is smiling down at you and saying, in his wonderful German accent, "That's my girl. She'll never change."