Tell us one way having a dog has improved your life...
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Location: uk
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,223
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18-08-2007, 08:54 PM
i love my two dearly ,and bessey whom we lost three years ago (cant leave her out ) i think they made me talk to people more ,ive made loads friends with other dogs owners which i find are nicer people than none dog owners . i thing i love them and they love me and none of us would be with out the other .
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Location: Telford UK
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 443
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18-08-2007, 09:16 PM
Thats the difference a dog makes...
Sue
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Location: leicester uk
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,407
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18-08-2007, 09:46 PM
Originally Posted by GSDLover 
That's a very easy one. She hasn't so much improved my life but rather given it back to me.
I was clinically depressed for over two years for reasons that go far beyond the scope of this message. However, to say I became withdrawn would be an understatement. I truly believe that you could count the number of times I left the house in that two year period, on two hands alone -- even venturing into my own garden.
Anyway, as I started to feel better (the wonders of modern medicine and a fantastic medical support team --- knock the NHS all ya like but I think they're the best thing in the world) I started venturing into the garden. Then I figured it's time for a dog. It was a two-edged decision really. One because I work at home all day and can therefore afford all the time in the world to a dog, and secondly because it forces you out of the house, like it or not.
Anyway, here I am about four months later, out with the dog each and every day without fail, and loving every second of it. The beauty of dogs is that they don't ask questions, don't judge, and don't have high expectations. Gotta love 'em...
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Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,217
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23-08-2007, 01:25 PM
Originally Posted by Minihaha
I met my husband as the result of one of my dogs.
I was running a restaurant in a large village, the entrance to the restaurant was through a small courtyard with a wrought iron gate and I had heard a handsome Army Officer rented the flat next door and sometimes walked through the courtyard. He was abroad a lot of the time so I had never seen him.
My little Schnauzer Bunny came to work with me and had a bed in the corner of the restaurant, she was quite an attraction. One day I was leaving work and fumbling to put my keys away walked straight into a man who was coming through the gate, we both apologises and went on our way. The man came after me and said he had noticed me and my unusual little dog walking to work and could he take me out to dinner, he crouched down and fussed Bunny who liked him instantly .
I was rather taken aback by this pushy man and politely refused his invitation . The next morning I arrived at work to find a letter under the door saying 'Will you come out with me tonight, tomorrow and every night' , later the man appeared in the restaurant with a huge bouquet of flowers and that was that!
Oh Mini what a charming story. when are you going to write that book?
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Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,217
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23-08-2007, 01:51 PM
When I look back over my 57 years, I realise that all my life I have been looking for love. I have loved many times but it has rarely lasted any length of time. In my twenties, after a disastrous marriage, I took refuge in caring for horses for a time. There I learned that love can be reciprocated in a special way. However, I needed to earn a living and couldn't afford horses of my own so I had to move on - to the caring profession. It has to be said that caring for the sick does help you to be thankful for what you do have. Sadly the 'caring' profession changed beyond recognition with the advent of managers and the 'internal market'. It has never been the same since then and I became disillusioned.
Now I am at home caring for my mother, after having been let down very badly while working in a religious organisation. My ideals of love came crashing to the ground and totally devastated me. For three years I stayed at home with my mum. The doctor had prescribed an anti-depressant when I first came home and the dose was rather high although we did try to reduce it unsuccessfully during those 3 years.
And then, I got Oscar. From the first I was struck by the fact that he greeted each day with joy and delight and excitement. Something I have no recollection of feeling. He bonded to me very quickly and completely. Although he was always delighted to meet and interact with others, his wee place was with me and we both knew that. Because of Oscar I joined this forum and made new friends, who have been towers of strength for me. Oscar became my all and it felt safe to love him because it was obvious he would love me back - it was obvious to everyone that he was devoted to me and I was thrilled to bits. This was the kind of love I had been searching for. It was uncomplicated, simple, honest and didn't make any demands to change - unconditional in every respect. When Oscar was 6 months I went to the GP and asked that my medication be reduced again. After all, we were going out twice a day on walks and I was meeting other people and Oscar was just my constant companion.
By the time Oscar died - at only 11 months old - 9 short months after he came into our home, my medication had been halved! When he died, it felt as though my life was spiralling back downwards into a darkness I didn't want to see. I have my wee mum to look after and I need to be well now. In fact I need Oscar more than ever now.
Just when I thought it was safe to love without reserve - without holding anything back - he died!
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Location: texas
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 221
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10-10-2007, 05:07 PM
"may I always be the person my dog thinks I am"
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Location: North East England
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,606
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10-10-2007, 06:50 PM
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Location: manchester
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 231
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10-10-2007, 09:47 PM
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