My Dogs... and Possibly Yours

A dear friend of mine passed this along to me and when I read it I knew I had to share it. I don't knew who wrote it but you will definitely feel the connection... that is if you are a true dog/pet lover like myself and so many others who are friends and readers here.

My Dogs... and Possibly Yours

I have three dogs, one is 130+ lbs, he's a Komondor, loves to play, will pick up the brush when/if I drop it and give it back to me. He has a ghost we call Boo.. he likes to carry Boo around. Great with kids, protective over his family.

A female Weimaraner that is 60+, very pretty, shiny coat, blue in color. Can be protective, but is generally outgoing. Can put a treat on her nose then usually catch it. Sometimes the big dog grabs it before she gets it though.

A 5lb Yorkie, he's 10 years old, and cranky. Pees in the house if he's upset, and will occasionally leave other "gifts" for you. Things that upset him are, not sleeping in, rain, other dogs, other cats, not giving him enough attention, anything new in the house, when I'm upset, when I leave and don't take him, and a few other things. But he does dance for a treat and catch mice and will do agility courses.

My dogs are all neutered/spayed and current on their vaccinations. They get fed holistic food, it seems expensive but is really only $1/day for all them. That's less than a bottle of soda.

My dogs are not up for adoption.

• I have moved 6 times in my life, including college and a divorce, they always come with. We've lived here for 4 years, and if we move, they'll go with.

• I have two kids, I still have my dogs. They were here before the kids, and I took the time to teach them to be gentle to kids, even tiny babies.

• My little dog doesn't like kids that much, he likes them when they're sleeping. So I trained my kids to leave him alone.

• I don't have a job, haven't for the last three years, my job has been being a mother. I still have my dogs. I just don't buy other things I don't need.

• I have a 130 lb dog who needs to be groomed... I brush him twice a week, it takes less than 5 minutes a day. I don't feel bad for people who say they "don't have the time" to groom a shih tzu. It doesn't take that long.

• My dogs shed, but so do I, so I think we're even.

• I've had dogs my whole life, and have never "suddenly" acquired a strange allergic reaction to them, nor know anyone who has, and I know a lot of people with dogs.

• My dogs do not destroy my house, because I don't let them. I have two breeds that are commonly referred to as strong willed and destructive. I simply have rules and make the dogs listen. They do not eat until I tell them they can. This makes me the pack leader. I do not share my couch or bed with the big dogs, I will not fight over where I get to sit.

• I do not have to lock my dogs out of the kitchen when we eat. I simply taught them they're not allowed. A flyswatter being smacked on the table has a lot of power in a dogs eyes, used with the word "out" it's amazing.

• I have two cats, and a leather living room set. The cats are not declawed. I simply give them other things to scratch that are acceptable. They enjoy them.

• I have three dogs and two cats. Sometimes they get fed up with each other. I still have them all. I just remind them this is my house, and separate them from each other for an hour then everything is okay.

• I have an old dog, and I got a new dog. I did not get rid of the old dog because he didn't like the new dog.

• An end note to all the dogs who have spent the best 3-10 years of their lives in the only home they've known to be replaced by a child, other pet, move, new job, etc. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine your heartache of being disowned by your parent who loved you for years.

So, is this basically you? Can you identify with the sentiment here? Sure maybe the details are a little different but I know my babies will be with me regardless of where I live, what I do or who is in my life. I have two dogs, two cats and an African Gray Parrot, I took responsibilty for them when I brought them into my life and they will be a part of my life until the end. To me, that is just an intrinsic part of have a pet as part of you life.