Homage to Man's Best Friend

I was staring at Lily our little Scottish Terrier today and I thought of all the reasons she is an awesome part of our family. Some of you may think I am one of "those people"- a dog nut. You would be right. I have lived with dogs all of my life and I really do love dogs. They are fun and entertaining, they help with loneliness and share in your exuberance.

There have only been brief periods of time when there wasn't at least one dog in my life. Those were not times I chose to be dogless. I was in college for one of those time periods and I was in a condo that didn't allow dogs during the other time period. Other than that, they are a permanent fixture in my life and I know they have made me a more caring and compassionate person.

I believe that if you have a dog, they must be treated as a member of the family or you won't get out of the relationship what you should get out of it. They have souls, they have hearts, and they love to be loved. To have a dog and to put it outside day and night is like owning property. I don't feel any dog is property, even if the law says they are. Having a family dog is almost like having another child. That is why it hurts so much when they leave us. Short of losing a human family member nothing hurts as bad as losing your beloved dog. I have been through it enough times to know that hurt, yet still, I want to always have a dog in my life even though I know it will ultimately end in this traumatic hurt.

I realize not everyone feels the way I do about dogs, but those of us that do feel this way can spot each other a mile away. We are the ones crying at the veterinarian when we get bad health news about the dog, we are the ones bragging about what our puppy did today. Other dogs even know when they can spot a dog lover. Every time I go to someones house that I have never been to, if they have dogs, their dogs seem to be drawn to me and to my family members. They know when they have found a kindred spirit.

Dogs are kinder and more forgiving than people and don't leave you for another owner. Dogs forgive your mistakes and still want to be around you when you are unhappy. Getting a puppy when my kids were young was one of the best things we could have done for them. They feel the same way about dogs as we do as a result of watching one grow up.

Give your dog a hug and kiss for me today!

The Reasons I love dogs more than I like most people:

1. They love you unconditionally

2. They are always happy to see you, even if you just left for a few minutes.

3. They are happy if you play with them for 5 minutes or 5 hours

4. They don't leave your side when you are feeling ill

5. You don't have to cook for them

6. You don't have to deal with hormonal teenager dogs

7. Their food is cheap and they don't need you to buy them clothes ( I know some people do buy clothes for their pets, but really, other than a winter coat, they don't NEED clothes)

8. They don't hold a grudge

9. They don't care if you are having a bad hair day or a feeling fat day. They still love you.

10. They can see you naked and will not laugh at you

11. They truly are man's best friend but they don't live nearly long enough.

12. They have pure souls and require little from us...a bit of food, a bit of exercise and attention and you have a friend for life.