To doggy, or not to doggy

[NTECUK]

After having a post 4owners Foxhall I'm never having another dog

[Bri w]

I got my first Border Collie when I was 4. Bess is my 4th Border in 50-odd years. I work from home, and she's great company especially on a heavy day when a walk in the woods is essential. She gives unconditionally, and in truth I 'love' her back the same.

The negatives; sorry but I'm the wrong person to ask. I've grown up with them and just accept that this is part of my life. Losing them; it happens and it hurts like 'ell but "it is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all."

[Fallout]

Thanks for the continued thoughts. Lots of nice mutts! I think I've made up my mind. Barring any sudden change of heart, I'll post up pics when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Fallout

Thanks for the continued thoughts. Lots of nice mutts! I think I've made up my mind. Barring any sudden change of heart, I'll post up pics when the time comes.

best decision you've ever made... even better than buying an sv!

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Bri w

t "it is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all."

So massively true. I honestly believe that when you have lost people you love, it kind of makes you love everyone else with a little more abandon.

As Fizz said, Hovis passing was a catalyst in him and Liz getting Tess and Jake, well...he is right. We can spend all our lives worrying about the what ifs...but by the time you actually get there, all you have to look back on are wasted years that you denied yourself what you wanted for reasons that are NEVER as bad when they happen as they are when we think about them happening.

This may sound weird, but imagine getting a paper cut or taking the tip of your finger off with a knife. It makes my skin crawl to think about either of them...actually makes me shudder. But I have done both and neither actually really hurt or were half as bad as I thought they would be.

Same with getting a dog if you're still with me. What may seem like negatives to you now will, when you have your dog be just another thing and no big deal at all.

Can you tell I am signed off work and bored silly?

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

So massively true. I honestly believe that when you have lost people you love, it kind of makes you love everyone else with a little more abandon.

As Fizz said, Hovis passing was a catalyst in him and Liz getting Tess and Jake, well...he is right. We can spend all our lives worrying about the what ifs...but by the time you actually get there, all you have to look back on are wasted years that you denied yourself what you wanted for reasons that are NEVER as bad when they happen as they are when we think about them happening.

This may sound weird, but imagine getting a paper cut or taking the tip of your finger off with a knife. It makes my skin crawl to think about either of them...actually makes me shudder. But I have done both and neither actually really hurt or were half as bad as I thought they would be.

Same with getting a dog if you're still with me. What may seem like negatives to you now will, when you have your dog be just another thing and no big deal at all.

Can you tell I am signed off work and bored silly?

Ahh Giggles. I have imagined what it'd be like to have my knackers savaged off by a dormantly insane dog. Are you suggesting I present them at the dog kennels, with the theory that my jewels will feel nothing but the gentle fluttering of a butterfly's dainty wings?

With the going away thing. There are always "doggy hotels". These are people who board dogs in their own homes giving them the family environment.

I don't like putting dogs in kennels. Last dog we put in kennels was my English Bull Mastiff and he ended up not eating for 2 weeks and getting very stressed.

[dirtydog]

Only read the 1st page but all I have to say is...




Doooooooooo it!

We always had dogs when growing up. But didn't have one for a few years as both me and the ex were working all day. But then we both changed jobs so someone was at home all day, had talked about getting a dog but not decided to definitely get one until I came home one day and there was a dog running round the house and he's still here now 12 years on.
Losing a dog is never a pleasant but having one is great

[dirtydog]

Oh and as for holidays we normally take tye along with us! He's never been in kennels

Another happy rescue story. We took in a three year old GSD about 7 or 8 years ago. My mum decided she needed a dog, having had St Bernards in the past she knew she wanted to stick with the big dogs but had it in her head she'd be coming home with a Retriever or similar....next thing we know she's brought a German Shepherd back!

He'd only been in the rescue place a week, and apparently when she got to his pen he had one paw up on the wire mesh and had his puppy eyes on, he saw my mum coming a mile off she was completely taken in! And who would blame her...



He's an ex-cop dog, one of the many that don't make the cut. He was very obedient from the off, you could tell he'd had very good training and in the home he was a delight. Take him out and he was pretty much fine...until he was attacked while on the lead by a mastiff who wasn't and since then every dog has been out to get him (in his mind). Fine with people unless you were a) male b) smoked and c) carrying an umbrella/snooker cue/big stick but again that's his training. In my breaks from uni I'd come home and get a muzzle and train him to be more social and he came on leaps and bounds, unfortunately me mam's not so disciplined and cannot control him around other dogs and he feels he has to be very protective which brings the dogaggression back. It saddens me but without constant training he can't benefit. GSDs respond to discipline and a firm hand, he is so immensely intelligent but the insecurity of feeling he needs to protect my mum isn't how it should be.


Even though I've moved away from home I have to make regular trips back for my dog cuddles, the affection this boy throws at me is guaranteed to make me feel loved. He's a fabulous dog and has given us so much pleasure. He's getting on a bit now, pushing 11 I think (we're not terribly sure) and although I absolutely dread when #that# day comes, he'll have had a great life with people who loved him very much. It's certainly reciprocated



Our landshark, with his shark


Although I know puppies have their benefits, I really would highly recommend rescues. As Minimorecambe said, you wouldn't know we hadn't raised ours from a pup either, I often wish we'd had the good fortune to see our Rid from a pup, he'd have been a little beauty. And still is. You've made up your mind from the sounds on it, do your research and I'm sure you'll make the right decision. And it will be the best one you'll ever make

Oh and if you ever need a portrait of your new family member #shamelessplug