Life-changing dog.?

Question

Hi!

I was reading a dog book and the man mentioned how many people have a "life dog". A dog that makes you rethink your life and your goals (changes perspective). I was wondering if people feel like they have had one dog that greatly influenced their life...like made you rethink how you were living (change careers, move somewhere you always wanted, etc.). Many of us have had numerous dogs....so do you have one like this that stands out above all your other dogs? How did it impact you?

Answer 1

I had a lab/great dane mix named Boo-Boo who changed my life. I got him when he was 6 weeks old, he was born to my parents lab and was one of 8 puppies. My dad found homes for all but him and was going to take him to the pound... so, I took him. He was the best dog anyone could ever ask for. He was my protector and my best friend. I was living w/ my parents for 3 months after a nasty break up so I could get back on my feet. During that time, I was going out every night and partying a lot. One morning, I crashed at a friends house and got a call from my dad. He stated that he let Boo-Boo out to potty and when he went back outside to get him, he was gone. (They live way out in the country.) I rushed home immediately and searched and searched for him. This happened 6 days before his 4th birthday. I did everything in my power to find him and I still look for him everywhere I go. He disappeared 4 1/2 years ago and I still look for him and think about him daily. I have no closure. He was the best friend I'll ever have and he made me realize that I needed to grow up and be more responsible. It took me loosing him to realize that.

Answer 2

My life changing dog is Ginger. I got her at the pound right before they put her down. She was badly abused and would fear bite. When I saw her I knew I couldn't let her life end without experiencing the joy of a good home and love. She was so scared she wouldn't even look at me. I just picked her up and held her for until she would raise her head. Then I paid the fee's, she got her shots and I held her all the way home. When I put her in the bathtub I realised she still had a tail but it was wrapped around her leg so tightly you couldn't see it. I started checking her out and realized she had big patches of hair missing and she was so thin it looked like it hurt her to sit on her haunches. You could put 3 fingers between her back leg groove and her stomach. She could have died. It was so sad. And it REALLY pissed me off at the previous owners. I made it my goal to get her healthy both mentally and physically. It has taken a long time but she has learned to fetch and is leash trained now. And she's kinda fat. She is always hungry. I supposed that will never change because of her fear of never getting food again. She sleeps above my head on my pillow and makes the rounds about every two hours. Four months after I got her she protected daughter and I from a break in. She truly is the love of my life. She sits on my lap and watched animal cops. When I cry (and I always do) she buries her head under my arm and groans.

Answer 3

The first thing I thought of was a "Soul Dog" (or "Heart Dog", as Gr8DaneLady said) -- but that's different. :)

I guess my "Life Dog" was Kayla, my first Siberian husky. She was given to me by the people who owned the sled dog racing kennel that I apprenticed at when I was 10 years old. I worked hard to teach her how to pull, and made plenty of "first time" training mistakes with her.

Prior to Kayla, my family had several dogs, including a couple of Great Danes and many rescued mixes. But Kayla was "my dog", and my project to train.

She is the dog with which I started my very first sled dog team, which led to the kennel, and the showing and training, and the way I live my life now. So she is definitely my "Life Dog"!

Answer 4

I had a dog for almost 10 years who didn't make me do anything really big but she made me do one small thing everyday. it ended being really big at the end. basically, no matter how tough my day was she was always so happy to me it put things in perspective. now i pick my battles and decide to let things sit, it is what it is basically. my stress level has gone way down since.

Answer 5

Flop was my life-changer. I wouldn't say that my life before I got Flop was not rewarding, but it was certainly different! I never knew that it was possible to get involved with competing in Agility....I didn't know that training animals had been changed so radically by Karen Pryor and Bob Bailey.....I spend my time very differently now, and I love my life!

Answer 6

My once in a life time dog was Tia. She was my best friend, she went every where with me. We taught classes, volunteered at nursing homes, and raised orphan animals together.

I have named my website after her http://www.tiaspetplace.com A pet place obviously to help others take good care of their pets, and hopefully help them enjoy a bond like we had.

:)

Answer 7

Trixie Dee my Boston Terrier I had for 10 years,i miss her so much! My exhusband and I tried for a long time to have a baby with no success then trixie came along and she was my baby till she died,i did have another child and they we best friends till trixie got to old to play.She died suddenly last feb and she will be missed forever!!!!!!

Answer 8

My basset hound, Daisy. When I was born she was my second mom. She whined when I cried, she slept under my crib and if I lost my blankie she would signal me to climb on her back so she could take me to my blankie. I love her so much but I had to give her to the pound because my niece pulled her tail HARD and Daisy bit her. I love you Daisy!

Answer 9

My first and only dog, ace, has taught me to be more responsible and to plan ahead. he also keeps me on my toes about excercising. (we go every day) Plus, he is just an all around joy to be and play with. =)

Answer 10

I've had several - one of whom saved my mother's life. And two who were my "heart dogs", and both died tragically.