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 grew up always wanting pets but the only animal I was allowed to have was hamsters, I’m guessing because they are contained in a cage. I had many of them over the years but when I was in my early 20’s I finally adopted my first cat. It wasn’t until I was married much later that I finally got my first dog, a chocolate lab. We’ve had labs or lab mixes ever since. Can’t imagine ever being without a dog in the house. It’s just not home without them. 🙂
My family loved dogs. We had a puppy that died of distemper (late 50’s), my first experience at age 5 with death. Later we talked my parents into a collie (it was the Lassie years), and then a wire haired terrier. Years later, my parents went to Meijer’s (kind of like Walmart) and there was a lone cockapoo for sale for $3. They felt so sorry, they bought him. Wonderful dog killed by a “wild” dog pack when he was 10. Devastating. My parents grew up in the 1920’s, 1930’s. My mother especially was often photographed with her dog or kitty. Both parents taught us love and respect for animals and nature. As an adult, my dogs have gotten me through all sorts of life events. I am so grateful for each of them and what we were able to bring to each other’s lives.
Enjoyed your remembrance – my dogs are the center of my universe – resulting in many friendships with other dog-loving folks and activities that keep me young. Glad to see you are aware of DCM and helping to promote the research. One of my golden retrievers was early into the study with Dr. Stern and thankfully she was cured.
Hi, i love chows too.
How old is yours and what are you feeding it?
Janine, We have had Chows and everything else. We vary their food so they don’t get bored. We feed them Petsmart Authority brand and Petco’s Whole Hearted neither are grain free.
Hi from Ruth. My chow Ruby is 6 years old, strawberry red, and from Canada. She is the first non-rescue dog I’ve ever had in fifty years. She is very sweet but medically unsound. If you get a chow, buy insurance! So glad I did. She will eat anything and I have her on a grain-free kibble and hamburger/rice/veggie home cooked topper. I cook that for my very old and fussy mutt so all three dogs get it.
Ruby has had three eye surgeries and two orthopedic surgeries so far, so she is on supplements and Galliprant pain medication. I have lucked out because all four of my chows and chow mixes in the present and past were nice dogs. However… strong prey drive. No cats, no squirrels, horses or sheep …… ever.
Struck a chord. I sometimes say I was raised by dogs. They were there – 2 and 3 at any time growing up. They continue to be my rock. Always steady. No drama.
I grew up in a family with no pets. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area in a suburb and my mother did not like to clean up after pets. I longed to have a chow (why? Who knows) from a young age but had to make do with postcards of chow chows. I got my first dog As soon as I left home and I’ve had dogs ever since, of every shape and size, always with long or thick hair. I have had several rescued Chows, a Keeshond, an Elkhound, a few terrier mixes. Right now at age 70 I have a chow chow, a 16-year-old unidentifiable terrier, and a tall long-haired God knows what. No one in my family liked animals yet I probably was born requesting a dog 🐶 of my own. Only two have died of medical problems; all the others have had long happy lives.
My mother was afraid of dogs so we never had one. But when I was 10 or so my aunt, who lived three blocks away, adopted a beagle puppy. They used to keep him outside in the back yard during the day, and I would go and visit him. I was lonely and maybe he was too. We would sit quietly next to each other and I would just put my head against his. He wasn’t an angelic dog – he was a food guarder at mealtimes, no matter who broke up the Gainesburgers into his dish – but most of the time he was just my friend.
My experience is similar. My siblings were older and didn’t want me hanging around with them. I was born with a nuero-muscular disease which makes me weak, having droopy eyelids and always being the last one picked for the team. My dogs didn’t care what I looked like or what I couldn’t do. Which makes it particularly disturbing to have someone write that I shouldn’t have a dog if I need to work full-time and can’t afford to pay to have someone walk them after 6 hours.
I think it is also about the needs of the dogs too though isn’t it? Do they have access to the outdoors so can empty their bladders at some point during the day? Are they adequately exercised and mentally stimulated? I have a disability and work part-time but I would not have my dogs if I had to work full-time. Their need for company would come before my need of them.
So you feel fine about doubling or tripling the amount of dogs in shelters because you think a working person shouldn’t have a dog?
I agree with Stepanie, but also feel sympathy for Mary Jo. There must be some solution that brings the best answer for both the dog and the person. It is so very hard for a dog to be left alone for so long, not only for bladder reasons, but for emotional reasons. Is there someone – a friend or neighbor – who would be willing to look in on Mary Jo’s companion while she is at work?
I’ve never had any children so guess what my dogs are my kids practically I have for the youngest being a-year-old German Shepherd the oldest being a 16-year-old beagle Rottweiler mix that is still hanging on he has some arthritic issues but he eats and drinks and sleeps and is still relatively happy to be alive, my other two are a corgi and a corgi mix the corgi is a delight such a personality a corgi mix was a rescue I love my dogs so much I just want to do the best for them they are always a companion there’s always somebody that would be willing to go for a walk with me or explore the woods or just go for a ride in the car .
Such a sweet story (sans the HBC issues).