Mack has been with me for nearly 4 years now, and he is my world. I think about him during my day at work. I hate going on holidays (without him). I love reading anything doggie. I love anything to do with dogs. I love all things westie. He has transformed his Nanna to someone who describes herself as "not a doggy person" to someone who adores her little doggie grandson! Grandad times his day by him. He receives christmas and birthday cards from aunties, uncles and little girls who live nearby. He has a designer dog collar.

Above all he is a wonderful little dog and I couldnt imagine my life without him. I hate going away on work matters because I dont see him on a night when I get home; I ring his grandparents who look after him to see how he is doing. All in all he is more than a dog, he is my little boy.

What does your dog mean to you?

My dogs mean everything to me, in general dogs are my world and Hobby, without them who knows what I would be doing, maybe even smoking on street corners and drinking.  Afew years ago I got bullied at school, when I came home, the dogs must have known and always gave cuddles, it was like they knew.  I could never see myself without a dog, though them I have met many friends.  I would not be where I am without them I'm sure!

thats amazing! well done you! dogs are fantastic arent they ice queen!

Better then people most the time!  I'm so looking forward to my easter holidays.  I'm hoping to have 2 weeks of 5k walks with one of my girls, other girl and one boy will get runs over the feild everyday, and old boy can go where ever he likes :)  Although I try to get them all out like this, its a good few hours of my time, unfortantly school work HAS to come first (not my personal choice) so you can guess all my homework will be done ASAP so I can spend hours aday walking them, I love it when I can watch them run free, it's just a sight which makes you step back and see the world is worth living!  If weather stays nice here then it will make it all the better! :)

there is something about walking your dogs. I have never been brave enough to let Mack off his lead, as much as i would LOVE to see him running across the fields at the back of my house.

I too am looking forward to Easter for 5 whole days with Mack.

Those people out there who work with animals , just think how lucky you are! I am a lawyer - no competition!!!

Just think, in those 5 days you can work on his recall and let him off the lead.  Just remember to take a large bag of all his fav toys, treats etc.  might also be worth letting him off when he is hungery.  This way food seems more appealing to come back to!

I won't go out on my own with 4 dogs off lead, and I also won't let your youngest off lead as I don't trust her and if I'm on my own...I would rather road walk her on lead to be safe!  Also the poor old lad is not as fit as the others, but 3 walks doesn't bother me, no doubt my "kennel helper" will come along with me and then in return I will have to go out with her and her dog and do some training with her!

Think I will deffiently make sure I have all my homework done by the easter weekend!!!! :D

You and me both Gillie (a lawyer that is).  Being stuck in an office whilst watching the lovely weather this week has been hell.  Cant wait to get home to go across the coastal path with the boys.  It was the best last night - out for a good two hours.  No better way of unwinding.

My boys are my life and my hubby knows they come first.  Cant wait for the summer season to be here even more doggie things to do, shows etc.  Now started agility and am loving that as well. 

My office is crammed with BC posters, coasters, mouse mat, cuddly ones, calendar and on my fleece! Everyone thinks I am mad...probably am but who cares

Hello - everyone in my firm thinks I am mad too! I have westie things all over my office. I love my job but I love my dog more! Its just a pity he could come to work with me - no-one would notice he was there!!

As long as i have my dogs i can cope with anything life throws at me.
Sheila.

Where do I start?????  5 years ago when I was going through chemo my dogs kept me sane. They never asked for walks I could not take them, they sat by my bed without jumping up. They reassured me that all would be well.  They understood.  2 years ago when I had my double mastectomy, they nudged my hands gently. They waited patiently by my bed. They watched me and understood.  They never demanded more than a gentle rub of their ears. My whole life was turned upside down and they were still there, never deserted me. They listened to my moans, groans and tears.

What do my dogs mean to me?  My life :)

Megan has gone over the Bridge, but will always have the most special place in my heart, I miss her dearly.

It's amazing how dogs just know isn't it?  What you wrote brought an tear to my eye (though could be I have been on and off tears all evening) but dogs are just amazing animals, I never have doubt in any of mine.

Roxanne you have no idea :D  5 years ago it was just Megan and me, she was my whole life. and 2 years ago Penny was only just 18months and still very much a scatty teenage Lab.  They amazed me with their change in behaviour. Megan was a power of strength to me. Once I started to get better they slowly became their normal bouncy, in your face, go get em dogs. I have to admit that over the last, nearly 50 years, I have had many dogs, but Megan was a once in a lifetime dog.

Blimey Kay.

What can I say .......

They are there for us.........unconditionally......... :)

Are you in remission ? Mike's Mum is but you had double OP :(

Lucy
xx

In remission just now Lucy, but another op still to come, have put it off twice in last two months, No dog sitter :D :D  and 12 week recovery period. Hospital visit this Wed and if still all ok, will be put off again. Life's to short, I live it to the full  :D :D :D

Blimey Kay if you need a house sitter /dog sitter and you can cope with three more Labs then we will de camp for a week if it will help ?

Seriously if we can help :)

Lucy
xx

Lucy, you always bring a smile to my face. My house could always accomodate 3 more Labs, but could you cope with 10 of them :D :D  which includes Evil Ellie and S*d you Summer :D  Actually I suppose I am just making excuses. The owner of the local Pet Hotel, which is excellent will accomodate them all, his wife is also a sister at the hospital I attend, so they know the score.  I just dont want to do that until 'absolutely neccessary'. But I would like to wait until I find someone who could walk them at least once a day after I come out of hospital, but 7 Labs are just too much to handle for most people ;)

If I can cope with the three I have now then anymore wouldn't make a blind bit of difference :D

This house is a well organised state of chaos at all times and even the dogs try and help out when ever they can thus adding to the often high level of chaos :D :D

We always do question 'so what use are Labradors then ?' We haven't come up with a reasonable answer yet but we have tried :D

Glad you have somebody that can look after them so hope you can get the dog walker sorted then the rest of it will fall into place ;)

Lucy
xx

What a great tale (or should that be tail?). Hook laid beside me when I hurt my back. Pushed himself under me to get me off the floor when I was trying to get mobile. Mops up tears when Im depressed and needs cuddles when I need cuddles. Truffle plays the clown and makes me smile at her puppy ways. They started my business, found me most of my friends, keep my feet warm, give me a reason to get out of bed.

I have 3 dogs in all, but my number 1 dog is Murf, aka Monsterman. :) called so because he is a complete monster, he bullies the child and friends when they have sweets, he bullies me for love, food, walks and totally extracts the urine :P :P I couldn't live without him *love hearts in the eyes*!!!! But is a real man when it comes to defending the house and I......aahh, I love him more than life itself ;) When everything goes wrong, he makes it right >big chessy grin<

Ella is totally neurotic, lovable but a bit unhinged and is head of security.......so she thinks :P

Callie is a complete"toad" but at 12 weeks, who knows what she'll turn into. Just hope it's not what I think :D

ooh to have 3 dogs!!! Lucky you!

She will turn out worse!!! :D

One of mine demands attention.  She will not lay on your lap for a cuddle, oh no...she has to be IN you!!!  Just can't help but love her, and her feet are sooo neat now she has been trimmed.  Didn't know so much hair grew in a week!!!!

all my dogs mean the world to me they give you that love that even a human cannot give to you.

can not be part from them even  aday,which is going to be hard for tommrow beacuse gollie is going back to her breeder for a night and to be mated so the top of the stairs will be lonely,

but i know she be in good hands.

Wow... dogs mean the world to me.

I have social anxiety so my dog is my only friend. I can talk to her when I can't talk to anyone else. She's there when no one else is, and just the sight of her face is enough to cheer me up after a gruelling day at college.
At one point in my life I was having a hard time at school, but I came back to her and she licked my tears.
I take her for walks and it clears my head, gives me time to myself to think and also increases the bond between me and her.

Dogs are my life, I don't know what I'd do without them... I come home from college, walk my dog, groom her, come on the internet and talk to people about dogs on various doggy forums, chat to friends who I met through dogs etc.

Yes I'm obsessed, but I like it, and I'm sure my dog appreciates it too ^_^

My dogs are very precious, when I broke my ankle last year and spent 8 week in a cast, they slept with me, never jumping on me, kept me company, always walked behind me when I tried to hobble my way around - they understood.

I know how you feel bekki!

<<<<<<I come home from college, walk my dog, groom her, come on the internet and talk to people about dogs on various doggy forums, chat to friends who I met through dogs etc.>>>>

Wow that sounds so much like me!  I also try and add in some homework though into that :D Doesn't always work though!!!

And I know what you mean about the homework too!
*pushes chemistry coursework under the desk* Come on Holly, we're going for a walk! :D

My dog is my freedom. Going for long walks lets me see nature and get into green places to relax and be peaceful. Its social when Im in the mood, dog people will always chat to you, and when Im not in the mood for company we can go another way and trot along in companionable silence. After an exasperating day stroking the dog takes away the stress. Training dogs increases your self knowledge - sometimes painfully!  and develops stores of patience and kindness untapped. With a dog Im a much nicer person and return to playfullness unknown since I was little.

:D

cutewolf - its great to hear that you can trust your dog. Does speaking on this forum help you? I hope it does.

i work to keep my dogs,all my spare time is devoted to them. i dont want to go out anywhere i  cant take them.
nellie is my girlie soulmate & flynn is my bestest friend. & tara is just tara :).

i would never go on a holiday & leave them. (hell i struggle on a odd night out).

they eat better than me,are dressed better than me & the health is treated 100% better than mine.

they have more prezzies at xmas than anyone else.

& have birthday parties ,BBQs,beach partys etc, to which all their doggy mates are invited

When I look at Ella I smile and when I think of her I just well up with love.  I can't think of losing her without my insides screwing up and losing my breath.  She makes me laugh and she cuddles me as much as I cuddle her with paws round my neck and wet kisses.  I absolutely adore her and just can't imagine life without her.  What would we do without them?? :)

Permantly early mornings as they all want a wee at 5 am, permantly skint from vet and food bills and never being able to wear anything without dog hairs attached.  Still wouldnt swap them for anything in the world :)

E V E R Y T H I N G !

My dogs are my world, much to the dismay of my parents.  I just couldn't be without them.  I adore them and the way that they act they adore me.  In the 7 months that I've had Lastar living with me you can tell that he's also devoted to me, much to the dislike of his Spanish owner, whom Lastar nearly totally ignored last week at Crufts :d

Well Terri, Gollie is doing well.  Just got back to my house after taking her for a walk.  So now mum and dad are looking after her :d  Fingers crossed for another good day tomorrow !

the cat and the stairs all missing her already,so am i.cannot wait to be with you in the afternoon to pick my baby up.

thank you for looking after her.tell mum to give her a big kiss and cuddle not that she got them from you,mum and dad.and tell laster to be gentle with her.

I'm definitely more laid back about things since I got Sparky - even OH is rediscovering his sense of humour - they've done wonders for my eldest's self confidence, and quote from my youngest daughter: "We're a proper family since we got Sparky and Busby".
Couldn't agree more!

I'm sure that mum and dad will enjoy their sleep tonight and be happy that their ornaments are safe :d DON'T ASK !!

But now Ive just got to ask, whats that Gollie been up to then, btw, Holly has had 4 pups so far all bitches,shes such a good mum.Shes going a good 2 hours between pups tho, dont know how many more if any as yet, dont know whos more tired, her or me,(ok I know its her)

The whole world, my life would be incomplete without her.  All I need to do is look at her and I feel instantly happy.

My dog meant the world to me, he was my best friend. He was always there, no matter how bad he felt. My world is now empty as my preciouse boy left me a couple of weeks ago to go to Rainbow Bridge.
I miss him so much.....................

Hello Sarah

I am really sorry that your little one has gone. I cant imagine how it must feel for you. I would imagine that everyone in this board feels for you terribly.

when I read your post I instinctively looked towards my mack and gave him a cuddle.

Thinking of you & and your precious boy

Gillie & of course Mack xxxxx