Where Do Dog Lovers Come From?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Have you ever asked yourself if dog lovers are born that way or are taught to love dogs by the people surrounding them?  I really don’t know the answer, but I suspect you are born a dog lover.  My mom was actually afraid of dogs and I never remember my dad mentioning a dog one way or another, but my earliest memories are of me wanting a dog. My two sisters weren’t dippy over dogs and my one sister has never owned a dog, yet I am sure we had the same parents. We had a neighbor who kept his dog in a kennel with a big shed like doghouse that he cooled in the summer and heated in the winter, but I still felt sorry for that dog.  Even at a young age, I felt it was wrong to have a dog and keep it separate from the household.  I never liked that neighbor and I have no real memory of him other than I didn’t like how he treated his dog.  I was warned to stay away from the dog, but like most things my mother told me not to do, it just made it that much more enticing.  I would sneak over and talk to the dog and always hoped it would run away to find a better home. 

 

When I started having kids I was too busy for a dog and really didn’t want to add one more thing to the household that I had to take care of and nurture.  I never said to my kids I wanted a dog. Yet, my oldest daughter came out of the womb wanting a dog and although I made no baby books or kept any notes about when she did what, I am sure her first word was probably dog, followed closely by I want.  She didn’t stop saying it until she got her dog at age ten, although she did add, “I don’t want to walk the dog anymore, I don’t want to pick up the dog’s poop again, and I don’t want to get up early and let the dog out,” shortly after Hershey came home. I do have to say for every hypothesis there has to be a slight margin for error, which may explain why my youngest was terrified of dogs, but became a diehard dog lover after we got Hershey.  Before that, if she saw a dog approaching, even the lovable Lab that lived in our neighborhood, she would call forth the most horrible ear splitting screams that could stop traffic.  She was another reason I balked at getting a dog for the oldest because I just couldn’t see myself living with a puppy and a child who had conniption fits every time the puppy took a step in her direction. With my luck I would end up with a puppy with a nervous tic that thought “Knock it off, Hayley,” was her name.

 

Genetics is a funny thing.  I know people who are not dog lovers, but gave birth to dog lovers. How can you explain it, other than to say someone was born a dog lover?  How can it be a nurture thing when no one is nurturing a love of dogs?  There are just so many things unexplained in the world of parents and children and I, myself, a certified shopper extraordinaire gave birth to a child who hates to shop.  I would also like to add I did my best to turn this child into a shopper and did everything short of dropping twenty-dollar bills on the way into the store to give her a little incentive to get with the program.  Nothing worked.  She does two things upon entering a store.  Either she gloms onto to me like a suction cup to impair my ability to move quickly in and out of the aisles or she asks, “Can we go get something to eat?” I can point to the clearance rack and tell her to take a look for something new and all she does is turn her face up in disdain like she just smelled something foul and says, “I don’t see anything I like, but I would like to go to lunch now.” Meanwhile, my other daughter and I have already mapped out the store, divvied up our shopping list for the best possible outcome, scouted out the sales, promised to alert each other to anything good, set up a future meet up place to go over our loot, and high fived for good luck, all in the time it takes the non-shopper to realize lunch will be delayed. 

 

I think Lady Gaga has it right in her song where she sings, “I was born this way,” although, there is hope for some people not born dog lovers.  My son-in-law was one of them, but luckily for him, he married the right gal who picked out the right dog that worked his doggie magic and the rest as they say, “is history.”  I think we dog lovers can turn some of these people around and I think the right dog, if given half a chance, could turn some others.  I also think dogs have so much to teach us and help us live better lives and I feel very lucky to have known that my entire life.  Now, if I could just turn that non-shopper around, life would be good.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have puppy fever soooooo bad I can hardly stand it but my dh and I have decided that two dogs is the most desirable number for us now, so there is no puppy in my foreseeable future to make our family doggy child count four again... sigh

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancy, You are my hero! I can't imagine four dogs, although I have been longing for a puppy :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Laurie for 6 months we had FOUR dogs, but since I knew 'em, I didn't need to be as respectful.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nancy, Wow...you really came over to the dark dog side :) Three dogs...LOL! When you do something, you do it big :)

Thanks, Ava and Libby's mommy!

Christine, I think I am glad I had girls :) I would not do well with rats and snakes :) I especially would not like a "knocking on the door," snake. Sounds like a horror movie to me. LOL

DJ, Very interesting article.

Donna, I love that picture of Quincy working his magic :) Your parents look very content :)

Jennifer, Tell your co-worker to take a hike :) LOL

Stella, I am so glad you finally got your dogs :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Kaytlin, I bet your mom looks forward to spending time with Cooper. A grand dog would be all the fun, but none of the work :) My middle sister loves my dogs, but just never wanted one. My oldest sister is ok with dogs, but doesn't want them in her house. They had an outside dog, which I have never understood.

Deanna, It is probably very nice that you waited to get your dog until your husband retired. It just means he has more time with Sedona and that is a wonderful thing. I bet you could find your shoe size on Zappos...free delivery both ways.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you to everyone who commented on this blog. I will respond to more comments tomorrow. I truly appreciate hearing from everyone.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Genevieve, I liked your comment. Thank you! How nice that your dog is helping you to see the good in other dogs.

Jane, Thank you! I think I like dogs better than traveling, too, EXCEPT for a certain Doodle cruise :) I loved your vet story....sounds like she knew what she wanted to be all along.

Thanks, Sheila. I guess if I visited, you could drop me off at the store while you went birding :) Sounds like you had a fun neighborhood.

Allyson, I bet your little Charlotte is going to always want a dog, too :)

Sandy, I don't get it either. It is her loss!

Joanne, I have always heard that about cats. They go to the people who do not like cats. My cat is so skittish, anytime we have company, she mostly hides. Who knows. It is amazing your mom liked animals, but not to touch. Interesting. Another question...my DH never wanted a cat, but he loves our skittish cat and will often go downstairs and sit with her when she is alone. She licks the top of his head....why? LOL

F, I love that you finally got your dog and then went out and got another one...proving it is never too late to get something you want :) I still like you, even if you won't shop :)

Lori, Awwww....another sweet story about your landlady. Glad she relented and Buster could stay with you. You would be a perfect candidate to shop with my DD :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Lonnie. I get exactly what you mean about Libby! I know the two of us would be fast friends and get into much shopping trouble if we lived closer :)

Camilla, Your story cracked me up.  I still cannot believe Darwin has not changed your parent's mind. I just don't get it.

Jay, It sounds like your dad is a very sweet man. I once took Fudge to the Assisted Living place where I volunteered and there were several woman terrified of little old Fudge. I have loved dogs since birth, so I don't get it, but if someone brought in a snake, I would have the same reaction. I was just telling my daughter about Where the Red Fern Grows.  She has never read it and I told her she had to get the book...Old Dan and Little Ann. Loved the book :) Thank you for your comments.

Charlotte, What a nice way to grow up. I think my DD does shop a little, but is not a diehard like me :) We are so alike in so many ways, except that one...LOL!

Nicky, I think we need to switch daughters :) LOL Thank you!

Jane, Thank you!! I am still getting over YOUR NEIGHBORS ATE YOUR PET RACCOON. WTD! I cannot imagine you not loving dogs. I am so glad you are a late bloomer and came to see the light :) BTW, I love all of your pet's names.

J, Like you mom, I promised my DD we could get a dog as soon as we got a house. She never forgot, either. She got one at 10 :) I never liked the creepy, crawly ones....still don't...but show me a puppy and watch out :)

Janie, I told you we are hitting the road next year for the Vera Bradley outlet sale :) April...mark your calendar.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bonnie, Thank you! I have been so darn busy. I hate it :) I don't know how I held out either, but I did. Working and kids did not leave me much free time, so it is so nice to enjoy Fudge and Vern. My DD has 4 pets as a renter and some how, always makes it work :)

Karen, I agree about non-dog lovers not getting dogs, but in a perfect world, everyone would love and treat animals with respect. It sure would make the world a better place. Now, I have to set you straight about Walmart....I HATE shopping there. It is my mom who loves that place. Target and TJ Maxx are the ones I love and I also like Nordstrom, but it is a loooooooooong way from my house. I find the best stuff at TJ Maxx! My DD is just weird :) LOL

Cheryl, My dad told me we couldn't afford a horse, too. I guess I might have been willing to rehome my two sisters..LOL! I am glad your parents gave in when you were 11, but I wished Shiner had ended up with you. Thank you!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thanks Nancy, in that case I am very respectful of certain dogs. :>)