How do they steal our hearts?

I’ve never loved a pet like I’ve loved my dogs!  For some reason, DOGS steal my heart.  My own dogs own me and other dogs sure do grab my attention.

I’ve never met a dog I didn’t like.  I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a bad dog.  If the dog is acting up, I believe it is the dogs’ humans who haven’t helped the dog learn!  I’m sure there’s exceptions to this as there is with everything … but typically, there’s no bad dogs!

I’ve seen giant dogs be gently giants.  I’ve seen what some call stubborn dogs listen better than a child.  I’ve seen a PIT BULL be bossed around by my 10# pom!  The PIT BULL would run under the deck when the POM barked.  The PIT BULL would also let my POM hold its leash and lead it around the yard.

I wouldn’t turn my pom loose with just an pit bull … this was a friends dog … and I knew how it was being raised and trained.  I knew it was a gently dog with good manners!

It doesn’t matter what the breed is or even if it is a “mutt”, I love each and every DOG that God created! 

DOGS REIGN!

Think about how your dog THINKS before adopting a dog buying a puppy!

Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking?

It’s a question I often wish I could answer. Nedd wakes up happy every single morning. He is the happiest and most playful dog I have ever met. Russ was the opposite. He woke up slowly. He preferred to sleep late, eat breakfast, have a leisurely walk and then a nap. Manda lets us know each and every day that we are fortunate to be part of her world.

I will hear my husband ask the dogs “What are you thinking?”; usually when they are making a bad choice such as getting into the trash, counter surfing or selecting items in the house to claim as their own toys.

I’ve had the pleasure of loving four dogs and I’ve seen many different characteristics in each of them.

Intelligence:
Can problem solve – can retrieve a toy despite a barrier; can find an exit despite an obstacle
Entertains himself/herself
Quickly evaluates moods and responds appropriately to our moods
Comprehends words directed toward him/her
Alert and curious

In my experiences, NEDD is the most INTELLIGENT dog in our family. He can problem solve, entertains himself and is very sensitive to moods, comprehends a lot of conversations even when not directed toward him and he’s always alert and curious. Manda comprehends words directed toward her and is alert and curious. Russ was quick to evaluate moods, was alert and curious and comprehended words directed toward him.

Independence:
Has his/her own agenda
Dislikes physical affection
Dislikes being groomed
Prefers to be alone than with you
Walks away when scolded

MANDA is our most independent dog in the family. She has her own plan all the time and we are just part of it or either in her way. She wants affection and grooming only on her terms. She’s happy with us but needs her alone time too. She ignores being scolded! Nedd can’t stand to be alone, loves grooming and affection, lives for us and wants to make up quickly if scolded. Russ hated being scolded, couldn’t stand to be alone and was incredibly affectionate and would let you brush him for hours. He never had his own agenda.

Determination:
Returns to a task even when you’ve redirected attention
Displays obsessive behavior
Gets his/her own way

MANDA is the most determined dog in our family. She is obsessive with good and bad things such as playing, getting into the laundry or licking! She doesn’t forget what she wanted and works hard to get her own way. Nedd forgets what he was doing easily and is only obsessive when playing with his toys. Russ worked on getting his own way only when wanting more loving!

Dominance:
Guards territory
Guards food
Growls / Bites when he/she doesn’t get his/her own way
Stands his/her guard in a private / public place when nervous / frightened

MANDA is our most dominant dog. She rules the house and always kept the big dogs in line. Russ would guard his territory when he felt threatened. Most people think Nedd is dominant because of his appearance!

High Energy:
Overexcited
Always ready for action
Doesn’t sleep much
Initiates action

NEDD is our high energy dog! He is always ready to start his day at the moment anyone’s eyes open. He grabs his favorite toy for the day and starts running, barking and playing. He doesn’t require much sleep and will ask you to wake up when he’s had enough sleep. We enjoy his energy level. Russ was our “couch potato”, a retired racing greyhound. Manda plays but nothing like Nedd!

Prey Driven:
Frequently sniffs the air, ground and even your feet
Shakes and “kills” stuffed animals by shaking them and de-stuffing them
Stalks birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc
Bites your feet when you start to move

NEDD is always sniffing the air, ground and our feet. He wants to know what’s going on, what has been going on and never wants to miss out on anything. He “kills” each and every stuffed animal. He chases rabbits but stops on command so he’s never caught one! We trained him to not bite our feet or that would be a fun game of his too.

If you are thinking about adding the companionship of a dog to your life, please do some research and study characteristics that are common to specific breeds. We all need to think about each dogs characteristics and what they can add to our lives and which ones we will appreciate instead of finding annoying!

Our Dogs Reign!

Does your dog reign in your life?

Have you ever…..

chosen another chair because the dog looks too comfortable to disturb?

slept uncomfortably because the dog is taking up too much space in the bed?

scooted over for the dog?

moved to the couch to sleep because of the dog?

given up the last bite of your favorite sandwich because of those beautiful puppy dog eyes staring at you?

gotten out of bed in the middle of the night with sick dog?

spent more money than you should have on your dog?

taken better care of your dog than yourself?

had a toy box in the living room for the dogs toys?

learned to live with a lint brush?

vacuumed more than once a day?

wiped feet as they walk in the door?

brushed their teeth?

bought clothes for your dog?

gotten up early on a day to sleep in because your dog is ready to start the day?

came home exhausted and had to force yourself to stay awake and play?

come home tired and could not resist the love and affection from your dog?

felt like a postman because neither sun, nor rain, nor sleet, nor snow…will stop you from going on a walk with your dog?

actually felt better because of your dog’s unconditional love?

loved a dog so much?

learned life lessons from your dog?
Called your parents gramma and grampa

called your dog a grand-dog

given your dog presents to unwrap

taken your dog for annual dental cleanings

taken your dog for acupuncture

seen your dog smile

seen your dog laugh

seen your dog sing

given your dog a massage?

Do they know their name is God spelled backward? They’ve gotta be His favorites!!!

24

I’ve tried for a while to come up with a title for this blog. Nothing seems to fit. I hope you find the blog interesting despite the lack of a great title.

Marty & I make time to watch 24 nearly every MONDAY night. We’re looking forward to the 2 hour special which is right around the corner.

Ned, our pointer collie mix hates the show. He can’t lay in his bed like he normally would do when we watch something. He paces the floor until we get tired of seeing him pace and tell him to go to bed. At that time, he goes to the bedroom and covers up in bed. Yes, he actually covers up!

I wonder if Ned has any idea how much he has it made. He’s one lucky dog. He’s treated very well. For the last few years, I’ve found and been feeding him food that is full of quality ingredients and nutrients. He lives inside with us. He does his outdoor business really quick on cold days like we’ve had this week. He’s treated better than some people treat their kids. He actually listens and has better manners than some kids I’ve met.

There’s been stories on the news this week about dogs dying because they’re left outside with no shelter. There’s been humane society workers rescuing dogs and saving them from a painful death. The shelters are now overflowing with dogs. These dogs are in need of a home where the new “pet parent” has the time, energy and money necessary.

It takes as much time as you’re willing to give. Bringing a dog into your life is a big deal. It’s a lifetime commitment. It takes energy even when you don’t have any to give. It takes some money. They have needs just like you and I. They never ask for brand name anything and I believe their needs are fairly basic.

I grew up with dogs not being permitted in the house. My dog had a nice wooden structure called a dog house outside. She also was given HAY in her house in the winter time. This HAY was changed frequently so it was always dry for her. Her dog house even had a little flap hanging over the entrance to keep the elements from blowing in and making her wet and cold. She was provided shelter.

I can remember begging my parents to let me bring my dog inside when I’d see these horrible weather reports on the news. On occasion, they’d let me bring her into the utility room/mud room/back porch just for the overnight hours. The funniest thing is….the dog was so happy when daylight came and she got to run back outside into the cold!

We all have different opinions and styles of taking care of and loving our pets. As long as it is done, that’s all that matters!

I can’t believe the stories I’ve seen of dogs just roaming on a chain or roaming in a fenced backyard with absolutely no shelter. They lay on the cold ground, lay on a concrete porch and their water buckets are frozen.

These are animals that God made. I believe it is our responsibility to care for them. I also believe they are a wonderful gift that God has given us!!!