Message Forums

Why do we have a dog?  Well we moved to a static caravan opposite the sea with hills and fields behind us and decided since the kids left home and we worked less hours ,we had the time and it was a perfect place for a dog to live,so we contacted the local rescue centres.

We now have Bailey,a lab/lurcher X,who by all accounts had had a horrible first 10 months of life and was a nervous wreck. He is now 2 1/2 and a bundle of never ending energy,loves running on the beach,and has recently overcome his fear of the sea,so swims too,plays with other dogs on the nearby "doggy field" and is super friendly when camping.Has never shown aggression,rarely barks (when he does he frightens the life out of himself!),       Bad points....can be an escape artist and can smell a bbq a mile away

And Jelboy,you brought tears to my eyes too.

Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 13/6/2012

---

Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 12/6/2012

---

 

That's why!

Mr UM

---

Is that a Tibetan terrier puppy, Mr UM? Very cute, whatever he is!

---

Hi...yes he is a TT...well spotted!

Mr UM

Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 14/6/2012

---

...yes he is a TT...well spotted!

Mr UM

---

They are wonderful little dogs. My friend has had 2 (she lost her oldest, who was almost 17, last year, and just has one atm). Her boy was incredibly clever, would fetch his collar and lead when asked and he knew several of his toys by name and would go and get them when asked.

The younger one is nowhere near as bright, but very endearing (she leaps into my arms when I go and visit). Both did very well at agility, the remaining one is very fast and incredibly surefooted but requires more concentration from the handler as she doesn't suss out a course as well as the old one used to.

They also make great therapy dogs, and hearing dogs for the deaf.

I particularly like the colouring of yours, the black-tipped gold coat is very pretty imo.

Quote: Originally posted by Camping nutcase on 14/6/2012

---

Oh Boy that nose was made for kisses. Both to be kissed and to give kisses.

---

If he's anything like the one my friend has, you get full-on snogs, never mind kisses! She is particularly fond of snogging when she's just had a big drink of water and has a sopping wet beard.

When I was young, my mother used to joke about calling the house "Cats, kids & Chaos".  I'm the eldest of 7 kids and we always had a menagerie of house-pets, including dogs.  For years, cats, rabbits and hamsters held a tight grip on my heart though I could take or leave the dogs.  Yet the seed for sharing my whole life with four-legged furrries had been firmly established.

Then, grown up, married to my first husband, an emotionally sick and deeply troubled man, we used to walk along a pretty canal most evenings, meeting others with their dogs, getting to know those dogs, warming to these consistently cheerful creatures until it occurred to us, there would be mutual joy sharing our walks with a rescue dog.  It was only when that we adopted Rudy that the magic happened...The secret door to the best part of my heart was opened by him and I became a better person for it; calmer, kinder, more open to the idea of do-as-you-would-be-done-by, just as dogs are.

I came to learn that no matter how people behave around you or what their mood, a dog is unfailingly open to giving and receiving humility and love, so eager to please and be pleased.  I truly believe they keep the soul grounded and in good repair when the emotional knocks and bangs of life challenge our faith in other humans.  I can never be grumpy or unreasonable for long around our dogs.  Indeed, our Springer puppy, Higgins, is the centre of my universe who delights me constantly and brings out the best in me. 

Of course, when I got together with the man in my life now, he had already been on his own voyage of discovery of the benefits of having a dog himself, so we share that deep canine-human bond and always will.  It's the most fundamental thing for us to have in common.

Wow, Fluffy, that is very moving and truly profound!

Thank you.

 I have a 13 year old staffie,not a bad bone in his body, I will be absolutely devastated when  the inevitable happens, I'm a retired truck driver and we go every where together including caravanning, my wife is just as besotted as i am, only dog lovers know how it is .i agree with every thing that's been said about the friendship, unconditional love etc,The dog / man relationship really does go back into the mists of time.