What would you do if you didn't have dogs?

[Coalman]

Please do not let my wife read this thread. I can almost recite all the "what if we didn't have a dog" benefits.

Growing up our family always had a dog. My wife's family , cats. When we married she was an instant dog mom to my springer, Brandy. And in the 24 years to follow we have always had canines. This past May we lost our last beagle. Kenny was 15 years and 5 months. I credit my wife for his longevity. But it took a toll on her for the care he needed. I wasn't much help as he was a real mommies boy.

After he died my wife got to enjoy the whole list from previous posts. But I was not happy. I love to hike and hunt. Not having a canine partner made me feel hollow.

Then I did something that is not recommended for marriages. I made a decision without consulting my better half. That decision was Bay. Man she was not happy. She recited the lists again. But I held firm.

All is good in the long run. My wife is now deeply in love with our newest addition. Everybody said it would happen when that soft bundle of fur snuggled with her for the first time.

It is so easy to love but so hard to say goodbye. Why can't they live forever?

[luvthatpup]

If we didn't have dogs we would live in an apartment instead of a rental house. We would have more money probably a better car. It would not smell like dog farts when we walked into our home after being out. My walls and floors would be clean and stay that way. There would be no more weekly poop patrol. My shirts would not have small holes in them from dog nails and my arm wouldn't be constantly tired from throwing a ball.

But if I didn't have dogs I would spend my entire day looking for one because I would not have my best friends.

[babypais]

If I were to make a list I would put down every single one of these things. Soooo right on all of them. But at the same time if I didn't have a dog I wouldn't have two of my best buddies - and there is no way I couldn't have that.

[Makwa's]

Having never gone for more than a week without my dog at my side my entire life, not having a dog is just not an option.

[Snowshoe]

I'd get a horse

Me too!

That would be more expensive than the dog.
My house would be cleaner but I would not.
I'd spend even less time at home. I'd be at the boarding stable.
I'd need a trailer hitch on the jeep and the outside of it would be solid mud.
The inside would be dirty and horsey (perfumed, LOL) from my clothes.
I'd have to get up even earlier to allow driving time to the barn.
Oh, wait, I'd need to buy a farm of my own.
Oh, wait, I'd still have to get up earlier to clean out the stalls.
My horse would need a friend. That would be another horse or two and some barn cats. Maybe a goat. My mother would never forgive me if I had a farm without chickens. Gee, maybe a dog too.

[tobypuppy]

well, I wouldn't have to constantly stop what im doing, run around, and yell drop it all day long! I would also be pretty miserable

[blauersdorf]

Everyone on here has all the points of a true dog lover...good and bad. They become such a part of the family and of your life that I can't imagine life without them.

[Huckleberry]

There is a life without dogs???? No way...

I would be quiet lonely without the pups and above all: I wouldn't know all those great people I met on this board

[C & C's Mom]

Originally Posted by wliberty

I lost my husband last December. My house would be very, very empty and I would be lonely and miserable. It's something I wouldn't even consider.

Ditto.....

[Toby'sMom]

I'd be miserable without the dogs....

the cats though are another story!! (jk)

By the way, I absolutely adore that Labby pumpkin!! How cool is that!

[Quasia Cutie]

I don't have a dog for the majority of time right now since I'm a college student and it's really difficult without a dog. I am busy all of the time so I don't think about it too much, but whenever I see a dog (or go to my awesome dogs and cats class), I think about Quasia and can't wait to see her again. Life feels a bit more empty without a dog around all of the time.

[trueby]

My windows would be cleaner and I would scoop less poop! Funny how those things seem so trivial compared to all love and companionship we get in return.

[Henry's Mum]

I have had Henry less than a month. He has taken over my life so completely that I cannot remember what it was like before. Ummmm.... oh yes.... very lonely.

[Brandy'smygirl]

I would be so lonely!

[WhiteWingPuppy]

Originally Posted by Bailey's_Mom

2.) Not have to stand outside in my jammies in the frozen tundra pleading to "go potty".

Jammies? what are those? ? ?

OH! You mean those things I put on so my neighbors don't throw a fit? :P