If you have not cared for a pet there is probably much you do not understand. Great simple, positive newsletter. Thank you for reminding me to scratch my poodles ears!
Totally a dog person. Actually, grew up with collies: Lassie then Precious. I was told Lassie would spend time in my crib with me when the family was outside. Then we attempted a Basset Hound , Cleo - very unique but would not be bothered with training. Cleo walked out during obedience class and so we gave him to a Basset Hound farm where he was immediately straightened up by the lead Basset. Next with my marriage, we took in a beagle rescue that brightened our days until Carmen gently passed away after her long 13 years. We had a big loving Dalmatian, Champion for a while until family friends son fell in love with him so the bond continued for them as we moved out of state. Then was another rescue that came as an answer to prayer. Cameron came to us from some hunting farm nearby, failing as a hunter, we brought him in and had the Vet take care of him and we basically introduced him to life step by step. Cameron was the most grateful creature and so full of joy. He passed away silently after 12 wonder filled years. It did take us about 4 years to find our present dog once we were ready. This time a small breed rescue. Liberty Isabel a Papillon. We laugh wholeheartedly everyday and enjoy her agility and beauty. By the way, she has the same coat and coloring as Lassie!
My 12 year old nephew is begging his parents for a dog. I’m going to send him this news letter as further evidence of his wisdom and care for the wellbeing of his family. 😊🐕🦺
We got a rescue pup almost two years ago. Being roughly 33% Lab and 100‰ puppy resulted in scratched-up furniture, scratched-up me, and various other situations of stress. At about one year, something caused fear-reactivity that resulted in aggressive behavior toward cars, people, other dogs, a trash bag caught in the fence... almost anything out of the ordinary. Renewed training and regular exposure to public places, however, greatly improved the situation. He's come so far and improved so much, and I'm so proud of him, now, when a stranger can give him treats and a scratch under his chin. What had been a fairly regular source of stress with periods of joy has now become a companion and friend from whom I draw solace and happiness. He motivates me to move and sometimes to just sit. As the "we" referenced above is soon to become "I," I am so glad to have this furry friend who seems to know when I need a lick on my face, a head I'm my lap, or a laugh from an impromptu, goofy tail-chasing spin.
EDIT: He just "explored" the small (now a little larger) tear he made log ago in the bedroom comforter and looked up at me with a bit of stuffing in his mouth, so the "stress" isn't completely gone, but I chose to laugh instead of curse. Another lesson learned.
Animal lover here. I had my cat Dusty for almost 16 years. 2 months after her passing I found Chloe. She lightened my life for 10 years before she passed in August from a second bout of cancer. I picked up my current cat, Mia, from a local shelter. She sleeps under the covers at my feet every night. My best friend has a chihuahua who I named Ginger. I call her
"Greg's little peanut". She's five pounds of pure love.
Be careful Bill. You'll fall deeply in love with your little bundle of joy before you know it.
Nice, congratulations on becoming a dog person. Let’s start off with a quote from Clark Griswold, “that’s a beautiful golden” haha but seriously tho, a benerdoodle sounds great!
I have spent my entire life living with dogs.
The. Whole. Time. As you will learn their omnipotence come with the price of having four paws and not being able to speak in your native tongue. That means you just need to think like a dog and you will know haha
I do believe the health benefits of companionship are immeasurable.
They will teach you many lessons in life but the one that’s really in your face is how fast their lives go and how you can make them better while they are here. The connection is real.
Nothing like some fluffy malamute puppies for the win, thank you!
Wonderful, and everything true. We have five dogs - two of them Border Collies - who are smarter than most people I know. Then there are two rescue mutts and a lap dog - used for travel. Also, five cats (all fixed), and I was not a cat person, until we rescued three of them at birth (bottle raised) and all five cats rescued. Life would not be the same without them, and they all love us and the love bird. Very active household. We actually have a little house connected to our house for the cats to eat and do their business.
So, if anyone wants to know the benefits of having pets - call me!
I’ve always had furry pets. Currently 6 cats, 4 indoor/outdoor 2 outdoor. I have a farm and all are strays or cats that have been “dumped” at the end of our driveway. They keep us on our toes that’s for sure! Love all of them.
I spent my college years without a pet. I felt scattered. Once I got a dog again @ 30, I’ve never gone back.
Too bad we can’t upload photos here.
If you have not cared for a pet there is probably much you do not understand. Great simple, positive newsletter. Thank you for reminding me to scratch my poodles ears!
So what is your puppy’s name?? More pictures, please!
what a light-hearted message today with the dogs. Thanks for sharing the adorable picture of your new addition. Enjoy!
JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”
They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for “just a dog.”
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”
Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
“just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you probably understand
phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”
“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog”
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its’ not “just a dog”
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
“just a man” or “just a woman.”
So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,”
just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
~Unknown Author~
Totally a dog person. Actually, grew up with collies: Lassie then Precious. I was told Lassie would spend time in my crib with me when the family was outside. Then we attempted a Basset Hound , Cleo - very unique but would not be bothered with training. Cleo walked out during obedience class and so we gave him to a Basset Hound farm where he was immediately straightened up by the lead Basset. Next with my marriage, we took in a beagle rescue that brightened our days until Carmen gently passed away after her long 13 years. We had a big loving Dalmatian, Champion for a while until family friends son fell in love with him so the bond continued for them as we moved out of state. Then was another rescue that came as an answer to prayer. Cameron came to us from some hunting farm nearby, failing as a hunter, we brought him in and had the Vet take care of him and we basically introduced him to life step by step. Cameron was the most grateful creature and so full of joy. He passed away silently after 12 wonder filled years. It did take us about 4 years to find our present dog once we were ready. This time a small breed rescue. Liberty Isabel a Papillon. We laugh wholeheartedly everyday and enjoy her agility and beauty. By the way, she has the same coat and coloring as Lassie!
agreed! Wrote a related essay some might enjoy on dogs as mentors on healthy community bonding - https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesrichardson/p/what-dogs-can-teach-us-about-healthy?utm_source=direct&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
My 12 year old nephew is begging his parents for a dog. I’m going to send him this news letter as further evidence of his wisdom and care for the wellbeing of his family. 😊🐕🦺
Well she got you off the couch to let her out, so the increased activity benefit is already kicking in! 😁
Just published today. Something must be in the air...
https://medium.com/@casanderson/why-dogs-are-simply-the-best-389b62a588d9
Scientific studies on how dogs make life better.
We got a rescue pup almost two years ago. Being roughly 33% Lab and 100‰ puppy resulted in scratched-up furniture, scratched-up me, and various other situations of stress. At about one year, something caused fear-reactivity that resulted in aggressive behavior toward cars, people, other dogs, a trash bag caught in the fence... almost anything out of the ordinary. Renewed training and regular exposure to public places, however, greatly improved the situation. He's come so far and improved so much, and I'm so proud of him, now, when a stranger can give him treats and a scratch under his chin. What had been a fairly regular source of stress with periods of joy has now become a companion and friend from whom I draw solace and happiness. He motivates me to move and sometimes to just sit. As the "we" referenced above is soon to become "I," I am so glad to have this furry friend who seems to know when I need a lick on my face, a head I'm my lap, or a laugh from an impromptu, goofy tail-chasing spin.
EDIT: He just "explored" the small (now a little larger) tear he made log ago in the bedroom comforter and looked up at me with a bit of stuffing in his mouth, so the "stress" isn't completely gone, but I chose to laugh instead of curse. Another lesson learned.
Animal lover here. I had my cat Dusty for almost 16 years. 2 months after her passing I found Chloe. She lightened my life for 10 years before she passed in August from a second bout of cancer. I picked up my current cat, Mia, from a local shelter. She sleeps under the covers at my feet every night. My best friend has a chihuahua who I named Ginger. I call her
"Greg's little peanut". She's five pounds of pure love.
Be careful Bill. You'll fall deeply in love with your little bundle of joy before you know it.
Nice, congratulations on becoming a dog person. Let’s start off with a quote from Clark Griswold, “that’s a beautiful golden” haha but seriously tho, a benerdoodle sounds great!
I have spent my entire life living with dogs.
The. Whole. Time. As you will learn their omnipotence come with the price of having four paws and not being able to speak in your native tongue. That means you just need to think like a dog and you will know haha
I do believe the health benefits of companionship are immeasurable.
They will teach you many lessons in life but the one that’s really in your face is how fast their lives go and how you can make them better while they are here. The connection is real.
Nothing like some fluffy malamute puppies for the win, thank you!
Wonderful, and everything true. We have five dogs - two of them Border Collies - who are smarter than most people I know. Then there are two rescue mutts and a lap dog - used for travel. Also, five cats (all fixed), and I was not a cat person, until we rescued three of them at birth (bottle raised) and all five cats rescued. Life would not be the same without them, and they all love us and the love bird. Very active household. We actually have a little house connected to our house for the cats to eat and do their business.
So, if anyone wants to know the benefits of having pets - call me!
What a cute story! Made my day!
I’ve always had furry pets. Currently 6 cats, 4 indoor/outdoor 2 outdoor. I have a farm and all are strays or cats that have been “dumped” at the end of our driveway. They keep us on our toes that’s for sure! Love all of them.
Congrats on your new forever friend Bill! Love the puppy tilts!
This is exactly why I love Understandably! Politics one day, puppies and dogs the other!