Is pet ownership the ultimate form of unconditional love?

"CB" (jrcb) 04/19/2020 at 00:13 • Filed to: Late night bullpen thoughts, Nothing is husky proof

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They eat our walls, poop on our floors, destroy furniture, don't pay rent, eat a lot, need exercise, and all we ask for is their company. Even sounding out how much it costs financially, the time cost, and patience cost, it's hard to say "yeah, better get rid of them". Because hot damn is it nice to have something so happy to see you come home.

Longtime Lurker > CB 04/19/2020 at 00:29

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Yes

ttyymmnn > CB 04/19/2020 at 00:30

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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CB 04/19/2020 at 00:37

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Now try having two of them that just lie around all day, albeit not digesting furniture.

I move yes!

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > CB 04/19/2020 at 01:51

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We spent at least $3,000 on vet bills from an unfortunate bacon incident starting back in September. Its such a huge amount of money and it really set our savings back a bit.

I didn’t even hesitate. Even if it meant I had to live off ramen and peanut butter, I’d do it again.

I have this whole bit I do where I act like she (our dog) is the biggest pain in the ass in the world and I’m ready to take her back to the shelter...but the truth is that somehow this derp of a dog has carved out a hole in my heart and I’d do anything to make sure she stays there as long as she can.

Svend > CB 04/19/2020 at 02:02

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But they do so much more. They know when you are down and they, they are just there for you, but differently. It’s hard to explain. They give so much of themselves that we are only graced with their presence for a limited time, a time that seems long, when when it comes, you feel cheated and short changed, that a part of you just isn’t there anymore.

They simply ask for food, shelter and love, oh and you pick up their poo. Lol.

Having a dog is you best and worst time, the most stressed and relaxed, happiest and saddest time.

But don’t think about any of that, just be there, love them, respect them, like family, because you don’t own them, your simply a guardian.

Sorry that came out more than I wanted to write but I've had two amazing siblings, Nell, in Saudi and Caesar, here in the U.K. I miss them but wouldn't give up a single memory. 

Mid Engine > Svend 04/19/2020 at 02:18

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Until they die, at 14. I’ve never gotten o ver losing Kelly. I’m not able to deal with that again.. lost my brother and my dad. I couldn’t sign up to another dog 

Svend > Mid Engine 04/19/2020 at 02:30

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I can appreciate that, but for many it’s the trade off, the giving and receiving of so much love and memories, it’s like having a child in many respects and to many the two are no different for varying reasons, most can accept that, but acknowledge it’s a little different.

I’m so sorry for your loss, you never really get over the loss, nor should you, but over time hopefully you'll r emember the times with less sorrow and more smiles. 

Svend > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 04/19/2020 at 02:36

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She’s a cutie.

Looks like she could be mischief as well. Lol. 

RPM esq. > Mid Engine 04/19/2020 at 02:39

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Get another dog . It doesn’t diminish the memory of the dog you lost , and it might even improve the memory as you impart lessons learned when training a new dog. If you ask me, one of the great privileges of human life is that we get to know, love, and provide for a lot of dogs over our longer  years. Don’t pass that up.

RPM esq. > CB 04/19/2020 at 02:48

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The way my life is structured always assumes a dog or two as part of it, and the extra time, expense, and effort involved, but it’s inconceivable to me to do it otherwise. They can be a pain, of course, but I can no longer imagine whistling at home and not having a dog appear , ready for an adventure or just a little pet or tug-of-war. I prefer hiking with a dog even if they can be distracting or annoying at times. And now I’m isolated at home, alone, and exercising the dog is a pretty good reason to go outside, take a walk in a park , or play in the yard.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > CB 04/19/2020 at 03:12

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my cats give me presents when they arent murdering things like my charger cables.....

granted its mostly dead birbs and mice...but presents none the less

(yes i just had to tactically remove another dead bird...tally so far is 3 mice and 2 birds...its definitely spring)

RPM esq. > RPM esq. 04/19/2020 at 03:46

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To add to this: 14 years is a long life for a dog. I lost a dog I loved, Blue, in October after 14 years—almost my entire adult life—and it hurt incredibly, and the loss still brings me to tears, but I’m so grateful to have shared that long (for a dog) life with her and to have helped make it happy. I adopted Blue as soon as I had a place of my own, and my son basically grew up with her. She was a great source of comfort to him and to his friends during difficult times. A portrait I commissioned of Blue hangs front and center in my den, and I see little things she used to do in my younger dog’s behavior every day, because the younger dog looked up to Blue enormously. I teach stuff Blue taught me that isn’t taught in obedience school to my family’s dogs and my friends’ dogs...having known and lost a good dog makes you a better person and makes you a better owner and friend to other dogs down the road. No dog I ever know in the future will replace her, but they will be great in their own rights, and when the time comes I’d like to pass with a mental hall of fame of great dogs I knew, including Blue at the top of the tree.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RPM esq. 04/21/2020 at 11:31

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Amen, brother.