Dogs, Just Dogs.

[Murph]

I love dogs, even the small land piranhas which infest yards, and are the only dogs to have bitten me in my career. My two dogs are members of the family, but they have their quirks. Daisy the dauchsund is a grumpy old lady when someone tries to move her when she is comfortable. She growls. But she loses her dignity when presented with a box of Panda Express white rice. The dog just goes nuts and rams her whole head in the container to get the last of the lovely little white grains of goodness. Luna, the golden retriever mix has been known to lose her dignity as well when there is a peanut butter sandwich around. However if the vacuum or something frying on the stove is occurring, she runs upstairs, and hides on my oldest daughters bed, burrowing under the covers. Both have been with us for a decade, and they are getting older. I really dread the day we lose them, no more pets for me, it is too hard to let go.

[Stuart Galbraith]

We had a Jack Russell terrier called Megan that lived till she was 17 and a half. In the end, her back legs gave out and we had to put her down. Completely heartbroken, ive still yet to get another dog.

 

Still you have to look on the bright side, there arent many terriers that live almost old enough to vote. We put it down to feeding her leftover sunday dinners, including lots of cabbage.

Edited December 4, 2017 by Stuart Galbraith

[Mr King]

I agree with you Murph. It is really hard to let go. I had to put down my 15 year old pup earlier this year, and my other boy is getting up there in age too. I keep telling myself he is going to be my last pet when he passes, but then I think about all the dogs at shelters and pounds who need a home and I start having 2nd thoughts.

[Mikel2]

The Power of the Dog

Rudyard Kipling, 1865 - 1936

 

There is sorrow enough in the natural way

From men and women to fill our day;

And when we are certain of sorrow in store,

Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware

Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

 

Buy a pup and your money will buy

Love unflinching that cannot lie

Perfect passion and worship fed

By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.

Nevertheless it is hardly fair

To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

 

When the fourteen years which Nature permits

Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,

And the vets unspoken prescription runs

To lethal chambers or loaded guns,

Then you will findits your own affair

But youve given your heart to a dog to tear.

 

When the body that lived at your single will,

With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).

When the spirit that answered your every mood

Is gonewherever it goesfor good,

You will discover how much you care,

And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

 

Weve sorrow enough in the natural way,

When it comes to burying Christian clay.

Our loves are not given, but only lent,

At compound interest of cent per cent.

Though it is not always the case, I believe,

That the longer weve kept em, the more do we grieve:

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,

A short-time loan is as bad as a long

So why inHeaven (before we are there)

Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

[GregShaw]

Taking my 14 yr old terrier/beagle to the vet in about an hour to have an impacted tooth removed. Not a major surgery, but as old as he is any operation makes me nervous.

 

I've had him since January of 2004, and he was roughly 90 days old when I got him. He's been a good companion the whole time, but just within the last 6 months he's starting to show his age. Can't jump onto the bed or even couch anymore, cataracts in his eyes and hearing is going. Used to be able to jump straight to the back seat in my full size King Cab pickup, now I have to lift him to the seat in my compact SUV. Has never had any health problems, but the end is in sight.

[Rick]

Max, my miniature dachshund lived for 16 years. Got him at about half his age from a good friend who adopted a child. She did not trust Max around the baby. Never mind that she never trained Max. Only thing is my favor is that he quickly figured out how to earn treats if he did the right thing.

[Jeff]

You'll swear off dogs for about as long as you get tired of coming home to a dogless home. There's nothing like that unconditional love waiting for you when you open the front door.

[NickM]

Ah...much as I appreciate the respect a guy gets as 'leader of the pack'-and I too love the cuddly little ewoks as well--even the big dawgs who respect me get my affection BUT....whenever anybody talks about dogs...I always remember a misremembered line from Al Pacino as Tony Montana; when he murders his old boss Frank, I remember him telling the Steven Bauer character:

 

Manny, joo choot dat f**kin' dog.

[Murph]

What is it about those eyes while you are eating something, and you have two pair of eyes staring at you, just begging you to let them have that sandwich. It is a Jedi mind control trick.

[Mr King]

There is a gyro shop near me that I frequent, and my good boy usually rides along with me when I go in the drive through. They always spoil him with a cup of gyro meat, even though he barks at them like an asshole. Then when we come home he gets part of my lunch too.

[Stuart Galbraith]

One of Pink Floyds lesser known songs, you all just reminded me of this.

[shep854]

Thanks to Murph for a thread EVERYONE can agree on!

HOWEVER, the boundless, bubbling 'I Wanna Play NOWNOWNOW!' energy of a pup can wear a bit...

Edited December 5, 2017 by shep854

[toysoldier]

What is it about those eyes while you are eating something, and you have two pair of eyes staring at you, just begging you to let them have that sandwich. It is a Jedi mind control trick.

 

thousands of years of evolution went into those eyes. you can´t fight it.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Just wait till they form a paramilitary wing. Unless we fight back now, mankind will be doomed to provide endless treats and belly scratches...

[MiloMorai]

Dead sound asleep in old age with failing hearing in another room and they still know when the fridge door opens.

[Stuart Galbraith]

Aha, yes indeed.

[Murph]

It is snowing here, and the dogs are going crazy, not understanding what that cold, white stuff is coming down from the sky.

[LT Ducky]

Here in the north country where snow is a common experience, watching a puppy or young dog encounter their first overnight snowfall in the morning is one of life's more amusing things!

[Stuart Galbraith]

First time my Jack Russell ever saw snow, we opened the door and it was like 'Bloody Hell, whats that? You expect me to take a dump on that? You savages or something?'

[Adam_S]

[Murph]

Brought a tear to my eyes.

[Stuart Galbraith]

I can remember Jimmy Stewart on a Chat show in the 1980s. And that remarkable guy, whom did something like 20 missions in a B24 over Germany (and one in a B52 over Vietnam), was brought to tears because his dog had just died. Kinda says something.

Edited December 8, 2017 by Stuart Galbraith

[Murph]

20 Official, word is he did 25 more that were not credited. I really am attached to the dogs. They only ask for food, water, a warm blanket and a snuggle.

I can remember Jimmy Stewart on a Chat show in the 1980s. And that remarkable guy, whom did something like 20 missions in a B24 over Germany (and one in a B52 over Vietnam), was brought to tears because his dog had just died. Kinda says something.

[Rick]

 

20 Official, word is he did 25 more that were not credited. I really am attached to the dogs. They only ask for food, water, a warm blanket and a snuggle.

I can remember Jimmy Stewart on a Chat show in the 1980s. And that remarkable guy, whom did something like 20 missions in a B24 over Germany (and one in a B52 over Vietnam), was brought to tears because his dog had just died. Kinda says something.

 

Well, in his prime, my miniature dachshund thought my purpose in life was to throw a racquetball. Repeatedly.

[Murph]

II have the little one on the chair with me, and the Golden is asleep on the sofa. They got their "dog cookies" this morning for being goof girls and going outside to take care of business. Now they are asleep after a hard night of sleeping.