I grew up in a family that loved dogs. Each of us four kids had our “own” dog at some point growing up, and we also had some dogs who were just indiscriminately part of the family, belonging to no one in particular. The high point of the family’s dog ownership – or perhaps low point, the way I see it as a responsible dog owner today – came during the years when I was about five to 10 years old. During that period of time, I can safely say we always had at least five adult dogs (the number changed frequently). And in the year that I was about 7, we had three different females who all had litters of puppies within a few weeks of each other. Puppies were everywhere! I was in heaven!
For perspective, that was 1970. Spay/neuter surgery was unheard-of. We lived in a rural area in Northern California, and our dogs slept outside (with a few exceptions for the purebred miniature Poodle and a male and a female Cocker Spaniel we owned for a time) and mostly ran free – meaning, not one of my childhood dogs lived into anything like old age. Many died after being run over by cars. That seems outrageous today, but it was normal then. Most of my childhood friends had also lost dogs because they had been hit by cars. (It was so common that veterinarians used an acronym for it: HBC.)
My dogs were my buddies.
I was the youngest of the four kids in my family by five years, which meant that when I was 7, my siblings were 12, 13, and 14. None of them wanted to hang out with me! And the closest kids my age lived a mile away!
So, it was dogs who kept my childhood from being really pretty lonely, although I never would have recognized any of that as truth at the time. What I did know is that the dogs were always there for me, always ready to play a game, snuggle, or go exploring with me. They were there when my feelings were hurt by the rejection of my exasperated older brother and his friends (there were a lot of boys his age who lived close to us, he had plenty of friends to choose from). They were there when my parents were loudly fighting about something (now I can understand; my parents were so young! And with that many kids – and dogs! – money was always tight). They waited with me (at the roadside!) for the school bus in the morning, gleefully ran to greet my school bus in the afternoon, and on days with no school, kept me company all day long.
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Which is why this video resonated so much with me. Made by a wonderful organization (Pets Add Life) whose only purpose seems to be to promote the adoption of pets from shelters, it brought me right back to why I connected so much with dogs when I was a kid – a connection that has continued through to today. Whose dog has not soaked up some tears or joined in a celebratory dance?
Share the story of what your dog has gotten you through – and share the video! If you follow the link to the website, it points you to adoptable animals in your area –nice!
I’ve always loved dogs. Since I was around 4 years old I have wanted one. My mom never really liked or wanted to clean up after dogs and after having 3 children and the oldest (me) being seven it was hard to add another person to the family. Later when I was around 13 and my younger siblings were all older too, my mom decided that it would be okay if we got a puppy since we are all old enough to take care of her so that is when we got our first pet. It was actually a surprise because we thought we were going to a sports practice but instead they took us to a dog shelter. We are taking a look around when I noticed a couple puppies. We wanted to see them and play with them so the workers took us to another room. We met with three puppies and there was one that we all just clicked with. The second we saw her and she entered the room I knew she was the one. She is a Black and White Labrador mix with German Shepard. Some people tell me they think she’s ugly but I don’t see it. To me she is the prettiest puppy/dog I have ever seen. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She is always there comforting me and cuddling. She is the absolute best.
I currently have two chihuahuas and two pit bulls. Our household can get a little cookoo but we wouldn’t have it any other way. My husband and I married in our 40’s and weren’t sure about kids. We decided to get small dogs as I had a boxer before and figured they would be easier to travel with. Then we rescued a few dogs that were in a bad situation after their mom died while they were only a week old. We found a home for one and ended up keeping the other as we couldn’t find a good home for one of them. Our dogs are our babies and part of our family.
I love this story. I currently have two chihuahuas and two pit bulls. Our household can get a little cookoo but we wouldn’t have it any other way. My husband and I married in our 40’s and weren’t sure about kids. We decided to get small dogs as I had a boxer before and figured they would be easier to travel with. Then we rescued a few dogs that were in a bad situation after their mom died while they were only a week old. We found a home for one and ended up keeping the other as we couldn’t find a good home for one of them. Our dogs are our babies and part of our family.
Dogs are more than best friends, they can make a human have a purpose to buck up and enjoy life……..listen to your dog!
I cannot honestly remember the time I didn’t have a dog! My first one, I don’t remember because I was too young. Smoky Lady was a six month old German Shepherd, and according to my mum, we could often be found nose to nose, apparently communicating silently.
The next dog came when I was three. A friend of my da’s had a bitch with too many puppies and not enough room at the milk bar. I met Tuffy (real name Tuff Stuff) when she was 15 minutes old. She was my constant companion until she died when I was 15. She even suffered having her windpipe crushed by the Weimaraner next door. She was certainly named appropriately! Although I’d never in a million years recommend a Chihuahua/Toy Fox Terrier for a three year old, she totally belied both of her breeds by being calm, not a digger, and barking only when there was something to be barked at.
Hollyn (another dog who belied her breeds: Border Collie/English Springer Spaniel/Shetland Sheepdog) was my heart dog. We adopted her from one of our local rescues. A lot of people were interested in her (she was gorgeous), but put off by her “growls”, which were, in fact, her way of communicating. The second we met, she attached herself to me, and that was it. I set the sun, moon, stars and planets revolving in her universe, and she did the same in mine. I can’t for the life of me figure out what it was, but we connected on a deep level. I was devastated when she had to be euthanised, and even though it’s been four years (and another dog), a huge part of me still misses her.