Dogs are funny creatures and I say this with affection. I have two dogs - one is a "labradane" (lab/great dane cross) and the other is a "shepsky" (shepherd/husky cross). Billy, the labradane is 6 years and Angel, the shepsky, is 4 years. I've had them both since I adopted them from the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) when they were both 4 months old.
There are some people who treat their dogs like humans, and in some ways, I can understand why. In my case, my two "furry kids" as I call them, have personalities all their own, and Billy is very set in his ways. He likes to be around us all the time, even to the point where it can get annoying. What I mean by that is because of his size, he stands "guard" and it is like a brick wall trying to move him out of the way! However, it's also amazing how small he can curl himself up on one cushion of the couch to sleep. If there is something in the way of "his" cushion, he will stand with chin resting on the arm rest of the couch until someone moves the obstruction. He's also intimidating because of his size and very loud bark, but he has a very sweet personality. He's also the first lab I've known that doesn't like the water! (must be the dane in him).
Angel, on the other hand, isn't quite as set in her ways yet, but she has her own routine. Because of the husky in her, she likes to spend a lot of time outside. She can't be trusted off leash, because of the husky tendency to run. She knows how to get Billy riled up. She also will curl herself up in the snow with her tail over her nose, much like the sled dogs do. She likes to stretch out on the couch as well. She will start off stretched out on the carpet in the family room when we're watching TV, but later on she moves upstairs to the couch. She needs her "own" space I guess! She is also a very sweet dog.
Given their size, Billy and Angel are often popular in the campgrounds. Kids will reluctantly come up to them, and once they've gotten their faces washed, will continuously look for the dogs whenever we take them for walks and know them by name. The kids will come up and fling their arms around the dogs' necks, and of course, Billy and Angel bask in all the attention, since, apparently, they never get any at home (yeah, right!).
Dogs also seem to know when something is not right. I know if I'm not feeling well, Billy will jump up on the bed with me (even though he takes up most of it), and rest his chin on my leg and just sleep there. They will also stick close if I'm having a bad day. I've tripped over them sometimes (even as big as they are, sometimes you don't even know they've decided planted themselves on the floor behind you), and they always let me know if someone is around (even if that person is just walking down the sidewalk). Of course, dog hair is a major part of furniture (and clothing, floor, etc.).
I've always been around dogs. I had one when I was little, and my parents raised German Shepherds when I was older. I had one when I moved out, and we got one, and then another, once we were settled into our house. We had to get a bigger RV to accommodate the dogs. It's amazing what we will do to adjust our lives to theirs, but I can't imagine life without them!
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