I am a dog lover but I also prefer some breeds over others. There are some breeds I expect I'll never own. There are a few breeds I question if they should even exist. I do want all dogs to have good food and shelter and decent companionship. I want all dogs to be able to do some of the kind of work that they were bred for. I want people to research breeders and rescues and put the bad ones out of business and keep the good ones running. I want all owners trained to learn how to teach their dogs in a way that works for both humans and animals

That is how I label myself a dog lover.

 

I wouldn’t say I’m a dog lover. I do like dogs in general. I prefer them over cats. But I don’t like everyone’s dogs, just like I don’t like everyone’s children. I’ve groomed many dogs over the last 40 plus years, and I didn’t like a lot of them. Some of them I’ve loved even when they were a breed I’d never own in a million years. I’m more of a dog person - you know, someone that has dogs. In my experience the dog lovers seem to have furbabies.

 

I prefer dogs. I prefer certain breeds. I've had both pure bred and mutts. I think mutts make the beat all around pets for the average home. I don't care where anyone gets a dog as long as it's well cared for and treated well. I like dogs but I don't consider myself a dog lover. But I do love to be around good dogs.
To be honest whenever I hear someone say they are a "dog lover" I instantly hear the voice in my head say dog fanatic in some crazy (often not always good) way. They strike me as the ones who take things to the extreme that doesn't necessarily have the dogs best interest first. Like the description of the woman in the OP. She isn't a dog lover she's an extremist that believes her way of caring for a dog is the only right way and she plays jury and judge on those that don't meet her standards. That's not love in my view. That's a cause and possible mental health issue.
Love is one of those words that leaves a lot open to interpretation and the bearers point of view.

 

I love dogs. I love them AS dogs. I want them to behave like dogs, smell like dogs and just be dogs. I don't generally bath dogs and as much as possible I let them be dogs.
I enjoy training, but not to any point near where the dogs are not having fun. I don't enjoy competition, but did promise Carmen my next pup would get an obedience title. Guess I will have to suck it up.
I don't like JRTs. They are not dogs, they are little minions of Satan. Also not a fan of Chi's in general. Prefer bigger breeds but love Poms and Yorkies, so really just love dogs.
I don't do furbabies, I don't think they are my kids, I don't presume that all dogs will lounge on sofa's watching TV. I respect that they are possessions and sometimes tools. I don't presume that others will treat their dogs like I do, I understand that some may find my treatment appalling. Either lacking or too much.
I prefer my dogs to most people. But, I also spent an afternoon chatting with a water snake. So really I just prefer animals to people. Lol.
Not sure I qualify as a dog lover.
Can tell you that the neighbor dog is Carl, not sure what the neighbor human is called.

 

I don't like that term "dog lover". Makes me associate it with hoarding and uneducated ways of having dogs. I love my own dog(s) but I don't consider myself a dog lover as in "loving all dogs". Weird to explain. I do admire dogs because they are so good in being dogs. I love observing their behavior and learning from them. The day I cant have dogs anymore is the day I want to die with my last dog.

 

When I hear "dog lover", I get a negative connotation. I think of the person who makes a beeline for your dog with a vacant Spongebob smile on their face.. completely ignoring you, the human in charge of the dog. I think of the "it's all in how you raise them" and the "adopt don't shop" crowd. The ones who tilt their head and go awww in a sad way when you say you got your dog from a breeder. After they asked where you got your dog. Followed up by "why don't you rescue?" I think of the people who would break my window with a rock because it was hot and my dog was in his ventilated shaded and temp monitored kennel in my SUV. The ones who would call AC because my GSD was outside in the cold despite the fact he was loving it and playing with snowballs.

Not because people who love dogs do that stuff, but because people who identify with and or are vocal about "being a dog lover", in that terminology, in my experience, fall into those categories. On a spectrum, but still.

I appreciate dogs. I think Lurchers are a thing of beauty. But I don't want one and I probably wouldn't love it if I had one. Not my cup of tea. But I appreciate them

I guess I feel about dogs the way I feel about kids. I love my own to the moon and back. I don't love all kids or dogs though. I like some of them. Some I down right don't care for. But I'd advocate for them if they were being hurt or had no food, I'd do my best to save one if it fell in the river even if I didn't know it or know it's parent/owner. Doesn't mean I love them. It means I value and respect them. I cry when I see bad things happen to kids and dogs. I feel empathy for them Doesn't mean I love that particular child or animal in a personal way.

I know grown people I would not spit on if they were on fire. But there is something in me that would always help a dog or child (or cat..goat..etc).

I get lit up by GSDs and Malis more than other dogs. Lit up does not = love to me. Having one as your own and knowing them in and out good and bad and being grateful they are yours, that is what I equate with loving a dog.

 

I love my dog. That means I have to, at times, sacrifice my convenience, comfort, time, money, priorities, feelings and preferences to meet his needs, and insure his physical and emotional well being. Loving anything involves sacrifice.

 

When I hear the term “dog lover,” I automatically think of people who treat their dogs like babies. Dress them up, baked them special treats, carry and take them everywhere, when they are spoiled rotten brats with zero manners. Call them their babies. I cringe when people refer to me as my fur baby’s mommy. Um, this is my dog, and I’m his owner/handler. He’s not a fur baby, and I’m not a mommy to my pack. The closest I get to referring to them as my children are when they do something naughty, I tell DH “your dog just pulled the trash can out of the bathroom and there is toilet paper scattered from one end of the hall to the other.” Same way I do with my children. When they behave, they are mine. When they are being naughty, they are DH’s ?

I don’t call myself a dog or animal lover, because I’m not. I love my dogs, can sometimes tolerate other people’s dogs, but for the most part, I find they annoy me. Same with children, which is why I didn’t become a teacher, I’d be the worse one ever. If it’s an injured or neglected dog, I will welcome them into my home, no matter the breed, and sent them on their way when they are ready to be adopted. I do have a soft spot for those dogs. But I don’t like small breeds, I don’t like hyper breeds, I don’t like, well, most breed of dogs. You’ll likely never find another breed in my home that isn’t a GSD, Mal, or Rott, unless it’s my mobility SD.

I love horses, all horses, even the bitty jerk face Shetland’s. I love sheep, hate goats with a passion. Essentially, I prefer larger breed animals, and if anyone ever sees a lap dog in my lap, they know I have lost my marbles and it’s time to put me in a home.

 

To me a dog lover is somebody who likes dogs. Usually used to differentiate which species is their favorite. Like I'm a dog lover, I'm a cat lover. Never really heard it used in any other way besides that.

I don't think to be a person who likes dogs has to like every dog or every breed, but just in general they enjoy dogs.

 

I have to say pretty much the same as Kazel. A dog lover to me is someone who loves dogs will always have a dog and enjoys being around their dogs. I know people that are not dog people therefore will not own a dog. Will I put a bumper sticker on my truck shouting out my love for my favorite breed- No lol! Do I want to give love to a strangers dog I don’t know that has already love- No. Do I love all the breeds- i can’t really say as I have not owned all but the ones I have owned are the absolute best of breeds in my opinion.
I enjoy doing things with my dogs since I can remember. As a kid I would go to the library and take out books about dogs, my allowance spent in dog collars and the local pet shops.
I don’t mind the dog hair even though I can be a clean freak they get a pass. I am on this forum often because it has to do with one of my favorite breeds. My phone is filled with photos of my kids and dogs.
I have an Instagram and Flickr dedicated to my dogs this was my beginning to social media. My daughter wants to be a vet tech or a veterinarian my son a marine biologist although that can change it does show I passed that love along. So yes a dog lover all the way!

 

I had never heard the term furbaby until a few years ago. The woman who told me was talking about her cat, so I thought the term only referred to cats. I was dismayed when I realized there were dog furbabies, too. Sometimes large breeds. I might baby my dogs at times, but I also respect what they are and what they need. They are not human.

BTW, the name I use here has nothing to do with the subject of this thread. When I chose the name, my first choices were all taken and I had no idea what to use, so I pulled this name out of the air. I wasn’t even sure I would ever post. That didn’t last long.

 

Hmmm, "dog lover" to me is like the lady in the news who took 100 dogs into her home before the hurricane hit.
I mean, I love animals but she is above and beyond!! They showed a photo of like, a dozen dogs lying under her bed!

(Meanwhile, I was upset to read that the shelter staff had to abandon a bunch of dogs in the shelter and they drowned...I'm like, let them out and give them a shot to live at least. :-(

 

That lady is a thief. Not a dog-lover.

This is why I am so adamant about not adopting the terms "guardian" over "owner" and "adoption" over "purchase." As dog owners, we have some protection for our "property." Property sounds like a field or a house or even a boat or coffee table. But property is ANYTHING of value that can have a monetary value. A dog or horse or pig or cow is property, because if you steal it, it has a value, and you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending on what that value is.

So, am I not a dog lover because I refer to myself as their owner rather than their mom? Am I not a dog lover because I consider them property with a monetary value. If I had a nickel for every time I tell my dogs they are worth a million bucks, ah well. They ARE worth a million bucks to me, even if I can't redeem them for that.

Just because I wouldn't have sold Quinnie for 10 million doesn't mean that is what she is worth, that is the monetary value that a court would put on her if someone stole her. But I could make a good case by telling what the other puppies in the litter were sold for, and then how much training she had, and how close to the standard/what my prospects were with her. So if you have a pup out of champion lines that you paid $2500 for, and she grew and filled out without any faults -- puppies are a crap shoot, and you put her through some classes -- value added. And your intentions were to use her to have puppies that you would sell for $1500-$2500, you could then set a reasonable value on the dog.

And if the dog is spayed and you don't intend to do anything with it but agility for fun, you can use the price of the puppy, and the classes that you put into the dog, and the amount of time and energy you have expended to make this dog a companion to you, and you can come up with a value for that dog. It may be less then the other dog because it is altered, but that is not what matters. What matters is that in considering a value for a dog, it doesn't mean that we love the dog less.

You can't put a value on your son or daughter. But when someone does something to injure them, you can sue that person for the damages, hospital bills, pain and suffering, etc. And if, through the negligence of another, your child dies, again a settlement might be made. The child's would never be sold for the amount that is offered, but people do sue when there is wrongful death.

I'm rambling now. Am I a dog lover. Yes. I particularly love hot dogs with just a tiny bit of ketchup, relish, and fresh onions. Delish.

I love my dogs.
I have been known to stop my car, get out and talk to people about the dog they are walking. -- not sure if that is evidence of being a dog lover or of being crazy about dogs.
I am not crazy about every type of dog. I have my prejudices. Some behaviors irritate me and some breeds do.

In general I like the species. I like to think I am not as crazy about it as I used to be. The serial killer with the lost puppy -- on some days he wouldn't suck me in, on other days...

 

Generally/generically I'd say a dog lover is someone that can't live without the companionship of a dog. There people will buy homes in neighborhoods, rent, travel etc specifically with their dog(s) 14/7 companionship in mind.

 

^^^^ I think this describes my wife and I to a T....when we moved into this neighbor hood almost twenty years ago it had covenants--HOA and no one had a fence....when I told the builder that a fence would be a part of this purchase or we would keep looking for a home... didn't have to be here.....he wanted to know why we wanted a fence I said "weed" lots and lots of weed and I didn't want the nosey neighbors to see what we were growing ...we went round and round for a couple weeks but we're living in that house....with...a fence...


So yeah if the above is part of the criteria to be a "dog lover" I sure am....I've loved each and everyone of our dogs...they all have or have left us with a piece of my heart forever.....do I love ALL dogs at first sight....nope all I have to do is go to a dog event or the vets office to see a dog i don't love but I don't blame the dog...I blame the owner for something they did or did not do...it's not the dogs fault....I see what they COULD be with some time and work....

 

I’m a dog lover. I am a waitress and I come into contact with many different breeds, ages, and personalities every day. Very few dogs I can say I do not like. Some are shy, others “too” friendly, and everything in between. I know dogs and I match their levels, almost all are good when they have a certain understanding. Of course I love my dogs the most, but I always love meeting new ones. I’m that annoying person walking by that asks “can I pet your dog?”

 

I'm not a dog lover. I'm a dog person. I mean, I like dogs, but not all dogs, and I can live without one (not as fun though).

Dog lovers strike me as that obnoxious group of people who call their dogs "furbabies" and themselves "pet parents". Yuck. Your dog is a dog. You are the dog's owner. As @selzer stated, a dog being special property (what living creatures are described as in law) gives you protection from government agencies and crazy people. Being a guardian means your dog becomes a ward of the state, and if the state decides they don't like what you're doing, they can take your dog away without any due process. No bueno.

 

I do love dogs but no,they're not "fur kids".I like to learn about about all breeds and what they were purposely need for.A lot of folks here don't care for little "yippers" whereas I find them delightful.They are supposed to be feisty little vermin eliminators.If people saw them in their natural element I really think they would appreciate their strong personalities.I don't desire to own one of every breed but I love watching them work and learning about them.

 

I own a little guy - and any misconceptions I may have of very limited experience had melted straight away. I always like to learn about the different breed and their different ways.

 

Since when did being a dog lover become equated with being a fur mommy or instability? This is the first I have heard of such a derogatory connotation for what I consider to be such a natural human disposition, i.e, a love of nature, flora and fauna.

 

My same exact thoughts and better stated. The words love and dog does not equate to me any of theses extremes. Interesting though and puzzling.

 

Yeah, and these fur-mommies are just as happy to drop the dog at a kennel while they take a cruise, if the kennel is called a "spa" or something cutesy.

Ok, there is nothing wrong with taking a vacation without your dog, so long as you properly provide for the dog in your absence.

Being a dog lover sometimes means not getting a dog, because you understand that your current means for providing for a dog are not where they ought to be, like waiting until you are done with college. A dog would be a huge source of everything good for you, when you are with it, but when you are going to school full time, and working, when are you with it? So being a dog lover might mean choosing not to have a dog.

Being a dog lover, loving your dog may mean giving that dog up to a better situation. Sometimes if we have a couple of dogs and one is always shunted to the side or the recipient of wounds, or simply not getting enough attention. Letting the dog go to someome who will have that dog the center of the universe to them, might mean you truly love the dog. Dropping the dog at a shelter or in the woods or putting an ad on Craig's list, does not ensure that dog is provided for.

Being a dog lover means respecting the dog for who the dog is. One does not need a big house and money for doggy day care, spas, and dog walkers. A dog can live inside or outside and still be loved and cherished. Lots of folks do not believe that. But dogs are critters whose coats are suited to the outdoors and many of them love being outside, whereas, there is nothing IN my house that my dogs need if I am not there. Is it more humane to let a dog sleep in a crate in the kitchen, garage, or basement, does that make you more of a dog lover, than a dog that sleeps in a kennel? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Being a dog lover means you do make decisions, every major decision with your dog in mind. And that sometimes you put the dogs' needs ahead of your own. Not always, but sometimes, where it is truly important you take care of the dog first and let the chips fly where they will.

There are folks out there who will not take the dog to a vet or trainer because they do not have the money. If you cannot pay for a bloat surgery (some people cannot), then take the dog in and put it down for God's sake, but don't let it die a miserable death because you don't want to pay for it.

Being a dog lover means making hard decisions, and thinking about the dog above our own prejudices and wants. Many folks complain about being ostracized for buying a dog from a breeder, and we all encourage those folks with what to say and so on. Even more folks are ostracized for considering rehoming their dog. For some, both the people and the dogs, that decision is the best that could be made. Keeping a dog out of some stupid idea of being loyal to the fact of dog ownership, is not being loyal to the dog itself. When we are loyal to the dog and realize that we are keeping the dog even though we have no time to train it, no patience to play with it, and/or no means to provide properly for it, that isn't loyalty, that's selfishness, and that, unfortunately, is sometimes encouraged and lauded.

 

For me, a true "dog lover" values a dog as a dog, respects him and his unique needs and abilities, and gives some outlet for him to exercise them where possible. Not somebody who views dogs as children in furry suits (epitomized by "fur kid", "fur mom", and anthropomorphizing dogs' actions); even the toy breeds have doggy instincts and desires and lack human brains. They all need training, stimulating activity, and to be understood for what they are.

I've never referred to myself as a dog lover and would feel uncomfortable doing so. I value the companionship, entertainment, and other services dogs provide and admire their abilities, and I love individual dogs as friends.

From esteemed English dog historian Col. David Hancock:

"(...) During the Second World War, after two successive nights of sustained bombing, my father decided that on the third night we would take refuge in a nearby public air raid shelter, rather than under the stairs in our own home. So, clutching our gas-masks and accompanied by the family dog, my parents, my youngest sister and I approached the public shelter. We were met by an officious air raid warden, in steel helmet and navy blue uniform, who greeted us with just two words: "No dogs!" My father didn't hesitate: "Then none of us will come in" he said quietly, "the dog is part of the family". We went home, to take our chance under the stairs. This was not a light-hearted decision by my father; he knew about war, from the Somme. The family dog was a small black Schipperke cross; I never once heard my father describe himself as a dog-lover.

Dog-lovers claim to admire working sheepdogs, dogs whose every fibre indicate commitment, total concentration, the sheer enjoyment of challenging employment. The joy of watching sheepdog trials for me lies in every eager movement of spiritually happy dogs. Sadly, all over the country, whilst people admire such canine contentment through TV programmes like 'One Man and His Dog', their own dogs lie bored and unexercised at their feet: gundogs never allowed to scent game or encouraged to retrieve, terriers denied a hedgerow alive with rabbit smells, sighthounds not given the chance of an extended gallop and lively mongrels never provided with the long regular walks they crave. Dogs don't require repeated statements of our undying love - they have simple needs and they deserve our respect and our selflessness (...)"

MUTUAL BENEFIT - OR DOG-LOVERS' NEEDS? - Archive

 

I don't know if I like the quote. Risking the lives of the children, for the dog, even risking your own life, when you have children for the dog, I'm sorry, but that isn't commendable. Every one of us, when we purchase our dog, understands that we are buying a dog that will die and we will have to suffer the grief of loss. When we get that dog we do have a responsibility to that dog. But we also have a responsibility to our spouse and children, and frankly I think that trumps our responsibility to the dog. Protecting them from imminent danger, like flood waters rising or bombs falling is more important than keeping the dog with us.

It's one of those hard decisions that we might hate a parent for making at the time, especially if the dog was lost, but hopefully with maturity and maybe a few children of their own, adult children will forgive a parent for making such a choice, if they are alive to do so. Some things you just can't take back. If that man lost his children in that night, but his dog survived, how could the man live with himself? Choosing to remain in danger with your children because of your dog, I see that as selfish. And not understanding the community's need to not have everyone's dog in that shelter is again selfish. Probably not popular on a dog-site.

I read a lot about WWII and the Nazis, the death camps. I wonder how I would conduct myself in similar circumstance. Corrie Ten Boon was my age, and she was amazing. There was a sad moment in the book where a Jewish man that they saw each day on their daily walk, who they called The Bulldog. He kind of resembled one, but had a spectacular pair of them that he was always seen with. The man poisoned them to protect them in case the Nazis came. If a group of Jews were hiding in a small room, they couldn't possibly risk the lives of those people for a dog that might bark or otherwise make a noise during a search. Horrible situations mean horrible decisions, and we have to keep our priorities straight. Children are more important than dogs. We will grieve for the dogs. But we make decisions for children because they are not of an age to make decisions for themselves. So making a decision to endanger your child to keep your dog alive is selfish and wrong.

 

I really enjoyed my Italian Greyhounds, and my yorkie. They all went to obedience classes and acted like “real” dogs. I have show friends who have Cavaliers and they are delightful little dogs. I have those darn Siamese cats, so I don’t feel the need for a lap dog, but if I didn’t have them, I’d seriously consider a Cavalier. Don’t tell my friends I said that.

 

It's funny..the whole little dog big dog thing. People in my life and my town know that while I am not a trainer, I am a knowledgeable dog person. They ALWAYS ask how they can get their (insert toy or small breed) to stop piddling in the house. Then they will say they were told it is harder to housebreak small dogs.

Uhm, no. First clue is look what you are calling it. "Piddling". Your whole approach to this is why your dog goes where he feels like it lol You would NOT be calling it "piddling" if it was a 60lb plus dog/pup. You would be shrieking, throwing out couches and rugs and possibly saying "he can't stay". You would have HUGE puddles of piss. Not "witttle piddle spots". A good friend of mine has a malti mix and a Dobie mix. She was basing the concept that little dogs are harder to housebreak because Cooper (Dobie mix) was easy to train while the toy dog is just as stubborn as the day is long. I asked her what she does when the Malti goes in the house. The usual no no! icky! we do that outside! Then place the dog outside (carrying it of course) ..waiting..tap a foot..then bring her in. I asked what she would do if Coop took a slash in the house right now. Her answer was scream so loud the windows would shatter, kick him out and not let him back in until bedtime. There ya go.

I have had small dogs. A Chihuahua, a small Basenji mix, a JRT. NONE went in the house once puppy trained.

 

I am no expert but yeah it can take longer to a house break a intact male chihuahua pup versus a larger pup. People need to know they have small bladders and it takes time to mature those bladders in pups. Crates are great all I have to say. Eventually they can hold for long periods just as long the big dogs. My chihuahua goes out does his business in the pouring rain and freezing temps and runs right back in. I would imagine so many other small dogs do also. I think if people only have one little dog in their life and nothing else I would imagine some spoiling going . A lot of dogs can use that kind of love. As long as the dog is treated right it does not bother me so much. I can see how it can open doors for so many trainers of fur momsFor the most part I see well behaved dogs and people enjoying their dogs around here. The adopt don’t shop and it’s all now your raise them do get to much I do try to open their minds up a bit on occasiom. It is great to they are helping find homes the dogs but the extreme angle is not necessary.
There are people that do own dogs and have no time or interest in them and that is what really bother me the most .

 

I am no expert but yeah it can take longer to a house break a intact male chihuahua pup versus a larger pup. People need to know they have small bladders and it takes time to mature those bladders in pups. Crates are great all I have to say. Eventually they can hold for long periods just as long the big dogs. My chihuahua goes out does his business in the pouring rain and freezing temps and runs right back in. I would imagine so many other small dogs do also. I think if people only have one little dog in their life and nothing else I would imagine some spoiling going . A lot of dogs can use that kind of love. As long as the dog is treated right it does not bother me so much. I can see how it can open doors for so many trainers of fur momsFor the most part I see well behaved dogs and people enjoying their dogs around here. The adopt don’t shop and it’s all now your raise them do get to much I do try to open their minds up a bit on occasiom. It is great to they are helping find homes the dogs but the extreme angle is not necessary.
There are people that do own dogs and have no time or interest in them and that is what really bother me the most .

The angle is necessary to get unsuitable dogs into family homes and neighborhoods. The results of that tactic make the daily headline news. That is a problem.

 

The shelters used to have a lot of nice family dogs in them, mostly lab mixes. Some collie mixes (we don't see many collies anymore), lots of mutt-mutts. Mostly good family pets.

That's all changed. Rescues actually purchase (cough... rescue) small breed dogs from puppy mills so they have enough on hand to sell (cough... adopt) out.

Life would be easier if the fur baby peeps did go for the mellow, sweet small breed dogs. Nothing wrong with babying them, really. And if the adopt don't shop people were able to adopt a nice mellow lab mix or collie mix. Nothing wrong with that, either. Easy dogs and don't need much training or exercise.

I think the dog lover bit goes wrong for me when I see "dog lovers" going down the rescue dog road of crazy. Then you are pairing up dog moms with very formidable breeds and that combo is dangerous. Pair up a dog mom with a mini poodle, and that's fine! Mini poodles can be great little dogs, by the way- I've met a few I really like. Not a fan of standard poodles, but the little ones are fun.

I like and respect animals of all kinds. But I love only my own personal dogs. I am also that person who will spend an hour coaxing a stray dog running in the road into my car and find his owner, even on a work day. So there's that.

 

I guess I don't "love" dogs because I dislike almost every toy dog on the planet, and pit/bully breeds.
You could not pay me $1,000,000 to own them. (But if anyone wants to test that theory, donations of a million and one dog can be made.)

In 56 years the smallest dog we ever had was a Foxhound growing up. My family were into hunting breeds. Dad would never consider having a dog that wasn't a gun dog, he hunted.

I've never met a large dog I didn't get along with, and I've never owned a badly behaved dog. I've had some exceptional dogs in my lifetime.

My husband causes everyone's dog's to fall in love with him, he didn't even know he was a dog person until he met me and mine. Now we literally house sit every dog and cat on our rural road.
21 years ago, we bought this property so we would have a place to bury our horses and dogs and beloved pets when their times came. 2 of the 3 horses are now resting here in the earth, and our beloved Happy. Happy went to work with my husband for almost his entire 12 years, if he had a job, the dog was part of what he was doing or he didn't take the job.

So maybe we ARE dog lovers, because when we got married 6 years ago, we came home that night right after the reception. How romantic. Happy was old and dying of cancer, and Ellie was only 2 and fearful of strangers--we had our 3 horses and 80+/- chickens and 5 geese to look after, as always. We've NEVER in 21 years together, gone anywhere overnight. (We're not kids) Not a vacation or a night away.

We have a good well and septic, 3 great acres of pasture and fruit trees, we're never going anywhere either. Our ashes are going here, too.

Dogs are not furry humans, they are not my fur-babies and I get as far away from those types of people as I can get. Maybe I'm selfish for buying from breeders, but I honestly don't want other people's problem dogs. Not at my age, not anymore.

This was a fantastic post!

 

@dogfaeries Cavaliers are one of the sweetest dogs. They are incredibly gorgeous dogs to and classy. It is a shame they have so many heart issues. A really great breed for a busy family with young kids. Bella watched the house also she was a bull. Bella woke us up in the middle of the night when someone was breaking into our car.