Grab the kleenex!

[snuffy]

73576

How I feel about a dogs love. The last line; This is the only thing I can give, The love I left behind.

The ache you have in your heart can only be filled by another dog.

I've rescued 3 dogs from bad situations, they've repaid me with Agape love*, loyalty, and a grateful heart.

*The unconditional love of our creator.

[10-x]

So true, Thanks for posting. Spell DOG backwards..............

[jcwit]

If I didn't live in a neighborhood where all the neighbors dogs bark at me when I walk out into my own back yard, and start barking early in the morning I might feel differently about dogs "love?".

Till then, I wish they keep their dang "love" to themselves. And the neighbors keep their dogs inside.

[TheCelt]

jcwit, the dogs are just being neighborly!!! Besides, you probably sleep to late anyway.

[jcwit]

jcwit, the dogs are just being neighborly!!! Besides, you probably sleep to late anyway.

I don't give a XXXX whether they're being neighborly or not, I don't need the barking when I'm in my own yard. As far as to how early I get up or how late I sleep is no ones business other than my own. Dogs barking at 5 AM is to early.

[Jeff Michel]

Pretty neat. All NINE of my dogs were scheduled to be euthanized the day I brought them home. Yes, I am a definitely a sucker. They are all cool and everyone of them are unique. My local shelter put over 5000 dogs down a year. Lord knows how many cats.
It's a pity.

[shooter93]

I couldn't live without pets around. Might be the difference in living out aways but dogs bark here at odd hours, people fire up diesels too. My neighbor had to leave every day at 3 am and I heard the truck warming every day. Just the way it is and not hard for me to tolerate. A place is a little to spooky for me that doesn't have animal sounds or kids yelling.

[DCP]

Dogs leave Paw Prints
in our Home and
In our Hearts

[LUCKYDAWG13]

thats just what we did after we lost our two Labs in our house fire

[snuffy]

If I didn't live in a neighborhood where all the neighbors dogs bark at me when I walk out into my own back yard, and start barking early in the morning I might feel differently about dogs "love?".

Till then, I wish they keep their dang "love" to themselves. And the neighbors keep their dogs inside.



Wow! I'm sure glad my heart isn't as hard as yours.
Here, maybe this is more to your flavor;

For those anti-gun dog owners.

"I'm just not comfortable with the fact that almost anyone can just walk into a pet store or animal shelter, and without a background check or any training whatsoever, walk out with a dog capable of mauling a toddler or adult to death. Dogs kill dozens of people every year, many of them children, and there's no reason to have them.

"Why does anyone need a dog? Especially the military-style ones with tons of sharp teeth and crushing jaws, like German Shepherds (which were used in WWII death camps!)? They serve no useful purpose outside of very limited military or law enforcement applications. If you're blind or otherwise disabled, just pay for an assistant to help you; a person works much better than a seeing eye or helper dog.

"I don't think anyone should be able to own dogs privately. Since that seems unrealistic, however, I'm willing to compromise by allowing dog ownership with certain restrictions--namely, if you you want a dog you should have to pay to undergo substantial training that teaches you how to keep your dog from being dangerous, how to never EVER leave your dog alone with a child, etc.

"You also shouldn't be able to own a dog that weighs over, say, 20 pounds--they just get more dangerous the larger they are. And those dogs should have their teeth removed for safety; just blend their food and they'll be fine. Dogs should be kept locked in cages except when a trained adult possessing a Dog License is able to closely supervise their actions. And of course everyone should be forced to buy at least a $1 million Dog Insurance policy in case they cause any harm."

Some people just should not own dogs. They take a lot of care, and can be expensive if they get sick.

The main reason dogs bark is they're being ignored. Put outside and left there for hours on end. They simply want to be by their loved one, inside with him and/or his family. He/she will dedicate themselves to you, return the love, don't ignore them.

[jcwit]

I'm not against dogs, I'm not against folks having dogs no matter the breed, no matter the size, whether large or small. I do have a problem with other peoples dogs barking at me when I'm in my own yard and disturbing MY peace and quiet.

I have the same problem if they daily plaextremelyly loud music blaring into my space, is that really that hard to understand.

As far as why anyone "needs" a dog, I could care less, have at it, teach it to bark when something is up in the owners property. Fairly simple.

If this makes me "heartless" so be it, I care less about this also.


They simply want to be by their loved one, inside with him and/or his family.

Obviously, if in fact this is the case, their "loved one" is lacking in the "love" department.

[frkelly74]

I read the book " A Dogs Purpose" author forgotten. Anyone who loves dogs would like the book I think.

[Gliden07]

Brought back so many memories of my Chocolate Lab "Brutis"!!

[Ithaca Gunner]

Great post snuffy! I have three that found better homes with me and the wife, and two that I actually bought.

[Bad Water Bill]

It is all in the training.

The young lady living next door has 3 golden retrievers. occasionally one will bark while I am in my yard. A previous &%*$3 neighbor put up an 8' wooden fence so I have never seen the dogs. If a dog goes WOOF I simply say "that is OK it is only me". Never had a dog bark again that day.

One day last summer she invited her dog club over for the day. No one in the neighborhood was aware of the fact that there was over 30 dogs there ALL DAY.

Now if someone UN WANTED were to try to enter her property KATY BAR THE DOOR.

It is all in the training folks.

[Lloyd Smale]

jcwitt i dont know you at all but just from that post im glad your not my neighbor. My dog is loved by my neighbors about as much as it is by me. He will some mornings use his nose to open the patio door and goes and lays down in there livingroom and waits for them to get up to give him a treat.

[jcwit]

jcwitt i dont know you at all but just from that post im glad your not my neighbor. My dog is loved by my neighbors about as much as it is by me. He will some mornings use his nose to open the patio door and goes and lays down in there livingroom and waits for them to get up to give him a treat.

This may all be as far as us being neighbors. But what you relate to is not what I'm referring to. Thanks for judging me just on my stand on barking dogs.

Every morning when the dog/dogs are let out constant barking, that is barking for an hour or more till let back in. If I walk out in my back yard or to check my garden, constant barking till either I go in or their owner comes out "which is rarely happens". Yesterday, I was sitting on my front porch and the dog was as usual in their back yard barking, owner came over to ask my wife something, I asked what the dog was barking about now, got a dirty look and was asked if it bothered me, My reply was H3ll yes. Owner went and put the dog in the house.

Loyd, understand, I'm not against dogs, but I like my peace & quiet in my own yard, front or back, not a constant yelping as if I'm breaking into my own property. Is that REALLY that hard to comprehend?

Lastly, a bark or woof now and then is NOT what I'm talking about.

[pdawg_shooter]

I expect many have already seen this, but it is one of my favorites. So for you dog lovers out there who haven't read this already, here goes.

A Dog Story...

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.

It all started when I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to. I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me. Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.


But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".... .....

To Whoever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones -"sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog. Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you.... His name's not Reggie. I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems. His real name is Tank. Because this is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make" Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word. Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you, Paul
Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. "Hey, Tank," I said quietly. The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy." He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered. His tail swished.
I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in
his mouth.

[flounderman]

There are neighbors and there are people that live around you that the area would be improved if they moved far away. The last person that complained about my dogs was told that the dogs were here before he was and if you don't want to hear dogs, don't move where they are. Go somewhere you won't be a problem to your neighbors and they won't be a problem to you

[Rooster59]

Thanks pdawg.

[pdawg_shooter]

Your welcome. Hope you liked it.

[DCP]

Really a nice story, I wish it was true.

Reggie

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/reggie.asp

[jcwit]

There are neighbors and there are people that live around you that the area would be improved if they moved far away. The last person that complained about my dogs was told that the dogs were here before he was and if you don't want to hear dogs, don't move where they are. Go somewhere you won't be a problem to your neighbors and they won't be a problem to you

I've owned this property longer than anyone else on this block, and more than likely the same applies for the whole town. I've lived here for all of my 69 years, my mother was raised in my house, and the property has been in my family since the 1880's.

I should move? Neh, ain't gonna happen. I'm only wishing for my remaining years to be spent in peace.

Maybe I should hook up some heavy duty speakers and play RAP music at full volume, ya that should solve the problem.

Remember the problem is not with the dogs, but with the dogs constant barking.

[snuffy]

Really a nice story, I wish it was true.

Reggie

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/reggie.asp

I thought this to be simply a fiction, having never happened. But could it happen? Of that I have no doubts. A dog can switch loyalty, and re bond with a new person.


I've had a dog as far back as I can remember. Literally grew up with one around. Since I have always hunted, most of them have been big breeds, once it was a beagle. Snoopy was owned by a local beautician who was going blind, she couldn't care for her anymore. She came to live with us, and of course I took her bunny hunting. Ever hear beagle music? Her nose somehow activated that sweet voice once on a bunny track!

JC, I feel real bad for your circumstance. You should NOT have to put up with it. It should not be happening in the first place. RESPONSIBLE dog owners should control their dogs. I agree with your statement, it wasn't the love of the dog, but the total lacking of love FOR the dog by the owners.


They simply want to be by their loved one, inside with him and/or his family.
Obviously, if in fact this is the case, their "loved one" is lacking in the "love" department.

What happens all too frequently is the kids keep asking for a dog---um change that to a puppy. Everybody loves puppies. They're "funny. Problem is they grow up to be a dog. Usually a deal is made by the parents, "you kids want a dog, you have to take care of it"! That lasts for sometimes only days, then it's up to mom or dad to care for it. That usually means put it outside so it's out of their hair. Dog wants back, so he barks.

This one, my beloved Arrow, only barks when somebody sets foot on my lot. My "early warning system".

73628

Or when he wants to be fed a daily ritual 'round about 4:30 pm each day. He knows the words supper and hungry dog which brings some woofs. I guess he couldn't eat without a few barks first.

[jcwit]

Thank You snuffy for understanding what I was trying to get across. I do not hate dogs at all, in fact I've owned/deeply loved a few.

At present we have a couple of cats, not that I'm partial to cats just happens to be the present case. And before someone asks, NO I do not let the cats run loose.

Best everyone.

[DCP]

Sure glad we got that all cleared up

[TheCelt]

I don't give a XXXX whether they're being neighborly or not, I don't need the barking when I'm in my own yard. As far as to how early I get up or how late I sleep is no ones business other than my own. Dogs barking at 5 AM is to early.

jcwit, you darned sure don't have a sense of humor. Check for burrs under your saddle and sand in your shorts there pard.

[hithard]

jcwit, I'm with you, can't stand dog's that are just left out to bark for no good reason. Thank goodness I have a neighbor that hate's it too and a very good animal control dept. in our city that takes stuff like this seriously.

I say my life and yard doesn't spill into your life and yard, but when yours doesn't follow the same. Then it becomes my business. If can train chickens to not leave my yard surely your cat's can be taught the same. It is funny though to see a cat go after my little bantam hen, if she had spurs I think I might be in trouble.

[jcwit]

jcwit, you darned sure don't have a sense of humor. Check for burrs under your saddle and sand in your shorts there pard.

Ya know, at 5 o'clock in the morning you're right, I have no sense of humor regarding a barking dog. Nor do I have a sense of humor regarding a barking dog when I'm minding my own business in my back yard whether I'm grilling steaks or pulling weeds in my garden.

For Heavens sake what does having a sense of humor have for my dislike about barking dogs while I'm in my own yard no matter the hour.

No burrs under my saddle, nor sand in my shorts either.

My problem in with the barking dogs, not with my saddle or my shorts,

[DCP]

jcwit your letting the a troll get under your skin.

If he answer you again. I might report him to a Mod

[starmac]

LOL I'm pretty sure if a neighbor told me to move because his dog liked to bark, he would find life very miserable.

[pdawg_shooter]

Years ago, when I still lived in town I had a neighbor with coon hounds that would start baying at night. Got his phone number and every time they woke me up, I would call and wake him up. After a couple weeks of that hes put them in the garage at night. Problem solved. Now I live in the country and the problem is coyotes. Who do i call about that?

[TheCelt]

Wasn't a troll there DCP. jcwit more or less hijacked this thread and nobody is trolling anybody. I said what I said in good faith. if you got your knickers in a wad, why don't YOU report it to the Moderator.



jcwit your letting the a troll get under your skin.

If he answer you again. I might report him to a Mod

[Trey45]

How about everyone back off and cool down. Before ya'll let this get out of control, just go read another thread or something.
That's the nicest way I know how to say knock it off.
Thanks, have a day.

[freebullet]

Op thanks for sharing that.

[snuffy]

Op thanks for sharing that.

Yeah, my wish was to share a thought from a content, happy dogs perspective. If it were possible for a dog to pick his successor, will it to the next dog to take his/her place.

There's problem dogs, they do exist. Excess barking, chasing cars.

I live in location a optional housing, (mobile home). The park I'm currently living in just changed ownership. The new owners came out with harsh regs as to dog ownership. Nothing over 30 pounds!:shock::sad: My dog :arrow: Arrow is 116 pounds! Yeah, he's overweight just like me.

A list of banned,(mean aggressive), dogs is long and some surprises, a great Dane is an attack dog? Arrow is grandfathered in under the previous lease/owners. IF I were to get another dog, if Arrow were to die, I'd have to have a big dog declared a therapy dog.

[jcwit]

snuffy, and that to is wrong, a well behaved dog large or small, short hair or long, or whatever should be OK. To bad!

This is an issue I have with those who have to put up with Home Owners Agreements like they have in additions.