How has your dog(s) changed your life?

[gsdlover91]

How has owning a dog, a GSD in particular, changed your life?

I know that having Berlin has made my life more exciting. Before him, I used to just work, go to school, and come home and relax, or go workout inside at a gym. I used to go through the motions, and my life seemed so routine. Now, I work and go to school, but come home and have a buddy to play with, a friend to go on runs with, and take places with me. We get to explore new places together, my life now has a sense of excitement in it. I have more motivation to get OUTSIDE and workout. I have learned to appreciate the small things in life...such as taking a hike in 20 degree weather and 8 inches of snow, but enjoying being outside in nature with my dog.

Having Berlin also makes me enjoy and appreciate winter alot more. I have been outside so much more than I usually would be if I didnt own him. I have a reason to play in the snow now too

Owning a dog has brought me extreme happiness. I got my dog when I was going through a difficult time in my life, and he helped me through it. He helps me enjoy life in the NOW, the present, and not worry about the future, or the past. Berlin has helped me love a whole lot better, and love unconditionally. Having him also makes me look forward to something each day: coming home to see his bright happy face, and wagging tail. Its nice to have something to look forward to EVERY day. Owning a dog, I know i'll never be alone, I'll always have my best friend, no matter what happens.

Owning Berlin has given me reason to go explore all the forest preserves in the area, since now I have a hiking buddy. He has helped me really be more active outside, through all seasons. I have met a lot of new people because of him.

Owning a dog (Akira in particular) has also really made me sure that Veterinary is my chosen career.

Owning a dog has changed my life for the better, I have acquired a bestfriend, that will be there for me and love me until the last beat of his heart.

[Shade]

My first dog, a cocker spaniel named Alex taught me compassion and serenity. He came into my life at 8 years old with multiple health problems, many vet visits and chronic ear infections which caused pain and he never complained. He never once even curled his lip at any humans or other animals. He simply lived his life to the fullest while with me. His last moments he snuggled his head into the crook of my arms and breathed his last, never even whimpering once

Jasmine has taught me patience and forgiveness, going from a dog with a rock steady temperament to one with fear issues was a ice bath. The bond I've forged with her is based in love and respect, we both make mistakes but we forgive each other. She needs me 24/7 to feel comfortable and even when asserting her independence looks back at me which melts my heart. I'n truly her "mommy"

Delgado has taught me joy and laughter, he brings so much light to my life. He's my constant shadow, contently watching whatever I do (especially when it comes to preparing food lol). Training him is so easy, he lives to learn and please me at all times. He takes joy in something as simple as a glance in his direction and rewards attention with a doggie grin or big kiss along my cheek. I can't wait to see him in one year, five years, and ten years. While I love my other two with a huge portion of my heart Delgado is my heart dog in the truest sense, I've never regretted adding him to my family. Well there was that first night where he was throwing up, whining, wanting to go out all night, and waking up before dawn ready to play ... Nah not even then lol

[Cheyanna]

Fiona changed my life by decreasing my pain levels so that I can do things that I could not do before. Took her for a walk in a nature preserve. Stood for about 30 minutes. Before Fiona I could only stand for about 15 minutes, before my back complained loudly. She also makes me laugh. Yesterday, after the nature Walk I took her to lake to get a drink and she jumps in. Then realizes it is deeper than she is tall. So she climbs out. I laughed at her goofiness. She even made me laugh, when I was cooking bacon, she pulled the rest of the pound of bacon off the counter and tried to scarf it. Little thief. Good thing she listens to leave it even when she has raw bacon in her mouth.


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[Carriesue]

Definitely!

I have anxiety issues, mostly social anxiety that I inherited from my dad... My dogs help me get out of the house A LOT more.

But Ollie has been helping even more, I feel safer with him. I would have never done stuff like herding training before or even considered IPO(which still intimidates me though). I really wish that I had more dog people friends that lived closer because I have a difficult time going out and doing things by myself and my husband is not all that interested in dog sports.

He also does get me outside in the back yard more in the morning to play fetch with him and just chill and enjoy the weather and birds singing.

I haven't gotten to the point yet that Ollie and me just do things(my anxiety increases even just thinking about going out by myself) BUT he is definitely starting to make me want to be more independent and I'm already planning on starting to take him on walks early in the morning when it's nice and quiet. None of my other dogs have made me feel that way... Ollie is definitely my unofficial service dog and he has made me feel more like my old self then I have in years!

[TrickyShepherd]

Many many things.

I've had dogs my whole life, as well as horses. My animals in general, from the beginning, showed me the meaning of love, responsibility, and of course since I was very active in different sports... good sportsmanship. Win, lose, or draw, they never cared.... they just had fun. They were my best friends, my shoulder to cry on when life got rough. They saw me through grade school, my parents divorce, college, friends/relationships, my first car, the house, my first new car..... everything! They were always there for me...

My GSDs have given me security... I feel safe with these dogs with me. When I'm alone at home, or my SO is out of town... I can actually sleep at night. I can walk again at night after work and not feel scared to leave my property.

With my anxiety, it got rough at times. I didn't really want to get out, or meet anyone new. I was nervous around strangers and it was hard for me to go out in public. However, once I got my first GSD, I was living on my own and had no choice but to go out and get their stuff, talk to people, and eventually even met others with the same breed going through the same stuff. With Zira, I had no choice but to reach out to others. Her health and mental issues were too overwhelming to deal with on my own. I no longer have any huge problems with my anxiety and have a very normal lifestyle.

And most important... these guys opened the doors for me to a sport I've been wanting to do since I was a kid. I now have the opportunity to learn Schutzhund, train dogs in other sports, and also now have made a large network of breeders, trainers, owners, other members of the sport, etc. This has allowed me to enter a whole new world of different things to explore. Without them, this wouldn't have happened. They've taught me so much about ownership, training, and the breed in general.

My dogs... every one of them, from every breed I've owned, has changed my life in some way. Without them, I don't know what I would have done.

[gsdlover91]

I loved reading these replies. I feel sooooo sorry for people who dont like dogs! Their lives must suck Dogs offer so much, and ask for nothing in return! (But we give them alot in return, or atleast I do )

I have to agree with you about the anxiety Alyssa. I have bad anxiety as well, and it can be so hard to go out and be around people and talk to them etc. Having a dog has made a lot of that vanish. I go out and talk to random people and randomly strike up conversations now! Berlin has definitely helped with the social anxiety.

Hope we can get into IPO soon. Its something i've wanted to do for a long time! Something that was never possible without owning a dog.

Carrie, your anxiety is so bad that you can't take him on hikes or to the petstore? Glad Ollie makes you feel better, and hope he can get you over that anxiety!

[Carriesue]

Originally Posted by gsdlover91

I loved reading these replies. I feel sooooo sorry for people who dont like dogs! Their lives must suck Dogs offer so much, and ask for nothing in return! (But we give them alot in return, or atleast I do )

I have to agree with you about the anxiety Alyssa. I have bad anxiety as well, and it can be so hard to go out and be around people and talk to them etc. Having a dog has made a lot of that vanish. I go out and talk to random people and randomly strike up conversations now! Berlin has definitely helped with the social anxiety.

Hope we can get into IPO soon. Its something i've wanted to do for a long time! Something that was never possible without owning a dog.

Carrie, your anxiety is so bad that you can't take him on hikes or to the petstore? Glad Ollie makes you feel better, and hope he can get you over that anxiety!

By myself yeah... Mostly because I hate, hate, hate driving in southern California, it is SO crowded here. lol Did you know we have traffic lights on our freeway on ramps? Sometimes the traffic is so bad they need to control how many cars can get on the freeway at a time. I also almost got into a bad accident a couple of years ago, does not help my not liking to drive out here.

I know I need to get over it, it's just tough.

[gsdlover91]

Originally Posted by Carriesue

By myself yeah... Mostly because I hate, hate, hate driving in southern California, it is SO crowded here. lol Did you know we have traffic lights on our freeway on ramps? Sometimes the traffic is so bad they need to control how many cars can get on the freeway at a time. I also almost got into a bad accident a couple of years ago, does not help my not liking to drive out here.

I know I need to get over it, it's just tough.

We have those in Chicago too! Well they only turn from red to green to regulate how many cars can go on the expressway.....I try and stay away from the expressway lol! Luckily I live in the suburbs, and am literally surrounded by nature preserves...so dont have to travel too far. But me and Berlin have a goal to go to ALL the forest preserves in my county this year, plus venture out and go to some in the surrounding counties. Excitement! And Ollie will help you You''ll wanna go and do more and more things with your little buddy, and idk, I always feel less anxious with Berlin around. I find it just easier to deal with the anxiety, he has a calming effect LOL

[Cheyanna]

Originally Posted by Carriesue

By myself yeah... Mostly because I hate, hate, hate driving in southern California, it is SO crowded here. lol Did you know we have traffic lights on our freeway on ramps? Sometimes the traffic is so bad they need to control how many cars can get on the freeway at a time. I also almost got into a bad accident a couple of years ago, does not help my not liking to drive out here.

I know I need to get over it, it's just tough.

I hate driving in Southern California too. I only have to go 2.5 miles on the freeway between home & work. There is ALWAYS traffic. 2:00 a.m. In the morning = traffic.


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[Jag]

I've almost always had a dog, and for the past 20 years, it's been shepherds. When I lost my duo, I was completely heartbroken. I've been disabled from work for over 2 years. So being home alone all day stunk. I got Layla (pug) but it wasn't the same. She'd lay on the bed with me all day. I'd said 'no more shepherds' because of the pain of the loss. My wife, however, talked me into getting another because I was so depressed. She used my years long want for a Czech dog to dangle in front of me. Boy, life has changed since I got Grim! I take him all over with me. I'm happy again. Now having the time to do IPO and other venues with him... I'm actually going to do something I've wanted to do for many years. I think he does help with the chronic pain, too. He's eventually also going to be trained as a service dog to help me get up and pick things up for me. I can't wait for spring, because there are places here with water and hiking trails to take him to!

My MIL and wife have noticed such a big difference that my MIL has made sure that I'm able to take him to training, etc. With no kids at home anymore, it would REALLY be lonely without him! I also got a new friend in the deal (my breeder) so that makes it even better! We talk often about him, dogs, training, and whatever else in the world. So I got two new friends out of the deal!