Why Do I Have Dogs?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Recently, it seems as if everyone is getting another dog or a puppy and it has made me curious as to why we want dogs at all.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a dog lover through and through, but could I have had a life without a dog and been just as happy?  We got our first family dog, Hershey, because of a dog crazy daughter and I went into dog ownership kicking and screaming. With two kids, one husband, and a job, I figured I had enough to do and did not want to add one more thing to my plate.  So, what did we do, we got a dog and who took care of the dog, not the dog crazy daughter, but me. For years, I thought when Hershey dies, that is it for dogs and me. I am leading the life of leisure and not worrying about a dog. Even though I hate to fly, I just knew my DH and I would travel the world once we did not have a dog to hold us back.  What the heck happened? How did I go from being a future world traveler to the owner of two Labradoodles?

 

Again, I am going to have to blame that dog crazy daughter. Just about the time I thought I would just take a peek at a couple of puppies on the Internet, she decided she wanted a dog too and worked me up into a frenzy.  She started calling about dogs and talking about dogs and I went from trying to talk her out of the huge responsibility of a dog to helping her look. I would send her a picture with a note attached, “I think this is a dumb idea, but isn’t this dog adorable?

 

We have a healthy (maybe not) competitive nature and one thing led to another and soon we were both desperate to get a puppy. I was now sure it was the right decision for our family, but I still worried she was making a terrible mistake.   She was young, getting her PhD, not as settled as we were, and I thought a puppy would tie her down. I would tell her my opinion, which she absolutely loves to hear, only to have her say something about leading by example. When I told her it had to do with maturity, she said she was twenty-five years old and that she really didn’t think I was all that mature.  When I asked her to explain, she said that yesterday she sent me a picture of a puppy she liked and asked me if I thought it was cute and I started laughing and said, “Not as cute as my puppy. I win, you lose….loser.” I asked her what that had to do with maturity and all she said was, “never mind.” I remembered that she said I should lead by example, so I said, “I am very sorry,” and then lowered my voice and whispered, “that your puppy is so ugly,” and all she said was, “I rest my case.”

 

Well, you guessed it, we both got our dog (Fudge for me and a French Bulldog for her) and now we both have two and so I am asking again, why do we get dogs? I mean I worry about these two dogs like I gave birth to them. I knew it from when we had Hershey, yet I did it again. I can’t take a vacation without wondering if they are going to survive. I willingly went through the sleepless nights again, the razor sharp teeth making contact on my skin, the expenses, the restrictions on my time and energy, the curfews I give myself when we are out of the house, and did I mention, being labeled a dog nut by family and friends?

 

You want to know what I came up with when I asked myself this question for the 100^th time? I did it again because there is just something about the love of a dog.  They love you no matter what and nothing you do or say sways them from feeling that way.  Who else loves you when you get up looking like Beetlejuice having a bad hair day? Well, my DH does, but sometimes he makes comments, and Fudge and Vern can’t, so you can see where I am going with this thought.  Who else is happy to see you when you just went down to get the mail? My DH is happy to see me if I am carrying his current issue of Bicycling magazine, but Fudge and Vern don’t care if it is all just junk mail.  A dog doesn’t ask you for money, or rides someplace, or clothes, or help with homework, or tell you they need a uniform washed by tomorrow, or need help finding a shoe, or ever move far away from home. A dog feeds your ego every single day by the way they look at you and wag their tail when they see you coming. So, my answer to my own question is a big, fat YES. I do need a dog to be happy. Now, I have another thought. How do some people NOT have dogs?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Great post, I can never understand people who don't like animals full stop, never mind dogs. I wonder if children should learn in school more about domesticated animals and what it means to share your life with one.  

Perhaps it's genetic?  I have always loved animals and dogs in particular.  Laurie you have written a great piece which certainly goes a long way to explaining why we love or dogs so much.

Ps I used to buy those dog magazines and they were always an expensive disappointment, DK is so much better. Real people who share a common bond and who are generous with their information and love.  What more could you want?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Kim, They also stay put when they hear the dreaded words, "I would like to talk about my feelings!" LOL

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

and a dog will gladly lick away your tears and snuggle with you until you feel better...instead of heading in the other direction and hoping they can sneak away from the emotional outburst. lol

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Lisa, You make a very good point :) I am glad to hear you stopped buying The National Enquirer in favor of DK Blogs. LOL

Thanks, Camilla and Deanna.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

To me the "some people who do NOT have dogs" shouldn't, the rest of us have the secret to happiness.

Thanks for the great read Laurie I have stopped buying magazines at the check out. :o)

[Camilla and Darwin]

Great post! I wonder all of the time, how people can stand not having dogs. Life must be SO boring!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

One year, 9 months, and 8 days ago I would have said, "What's the big deal about having a dog?".  But one year, 9 months, and 7 days ago, Sedona came to live with us.  Now I "get" what you're talking about, Laurie.