Pets or Members of the Family?
Thanks to a newsletter I sent out over Christmas, many of you know we were getting a new puppy, a King Charles Cavalier my kids named Dylan (after Corey Dillon of the New England Patriots but that’s another story). And even more of you know that I already have a soft coated Wheaten terrier named Buddy. How could you not know? He’s all over my website!
What you don’t know is that we brought Dylan home (oh my gosh, nobody told me how much work a second dog, an untrained puppy was going to be!). Of course we fell in love with her immediately, so when on Thursday night, just short of having her in the house for one week, my hubby said quietly, “My asthma is killing me. I think I’m allergic to the dog”, I burst into tears. My kids burst into tears. I contemplated asking my husband to sleep in Queens, at his supermarket. (KIDDING, folks!) The next day, Dylan went back to her breeder who thankfully lives around the corner so we can visit because he’s keeping her. We survived because she’d only been in the house a short time, I kept reminding myself how much work she actually was, and we had Buddy who really never adapted to having another dog in the house.
Which brings me to the point of this blog. Our pets. Mine’s my lifeline. I walk into the house and I say hello and ask how he is. 
He greets me with his tail wagging (who cares if he only wants a treat, he greets me with a slobbering kiss which is more than I can say for the kids I drive all over and the husband I adore). And sure sometimes we dress him in stupid hats, make him wear silly baseball shirts when the RedSox won the World Series, and catch him at his most vulnerable moments, cuddling with one of the kids’ stuffed animals. 
But he puts up with it all and he gives, gives, gives in return. If I’m tired, he lays in bed with me. The dog, not the husband (unless we want to watch the same TV shows, LOL, then hubby joins me). If I cry, he senses something’s wrong and cuddles next to me. On the weekends, he naps beside me. 
He’s in our holiday card, he’s in the dedication of some of my books (OK Dylan’s in Cross My Heart too, but who knew she wouldn’t be around this summer and besides I still consider her MINE). Buddy is just plain in our hearts.
Do you have a pet? A doggie you adore? I hope so because mine brings a smile to my face each and every day!
Awww, Carly, what a cutie pie Buddy is! I love the pic of him with his head resting on a stuffed toy–that’s one of my dog’s favorite positions, too and it’s just so darn cute.
I know you know how I feel about my little Cassie. She’s like one of my kids. And, like you, being alone all day in the house when hubby’s at work and kids are at school, she is my close companion. Can’t imagine not having her here.
Leslie
Comment by Leslie Kelly — April 19, 2006 @ 6:26 am
Hi Carly,
I’m part of the club you and Leslie are in. I have Bridgette. A soon to be seven year old Springer Spaniel. Like you, Bridgette seems like the only one at times that cares when I come home. She is there for me when I am in tears having a bad day. She fills a place in my heart that is getting bigger as my daughter grow up (ages 19 and 15). They don’t want me involved in their life except for money and trips to town for the youngest. Bridgette will watch chick flicks with me when no one else will. Bridgette enjoys her birthday parties that I give her every June. She especially loves the gifts. She is so spoiled that she has to have a few gift bags at everyone elses birthday get togethers or she sulks. I don’t know what I would do without her.
Comment by Gigi — April 19, 2006 @ 7:59 am
Carly, Buddy sounds like a love. We are pet crazy at our house and they definitely are family members. Two cats…one who wandered up on our porch almost 19 years ago and the vet’s told us it’s only a matter of weeks, months at the most that he’ll still be around and it’s going to leave a gaping hole. ;( And then there are the two retired racing greyhounds and the little Chihuahua who bosses us all around. When we bought our new sofa for the t.v. room, the criteria was it had to be big enough for all the dogs and one person. :d
Comment by Jen — April 19, 2006 @ 8:44 am
Buddy is so darn cute, and he’s so good about you torturing, I mean DRESSING him up! :d I can attest to the fact that he’s a great big baby and cuddle bug. A real sweetheart!
I have my pets I adore, too. Mine are all adopted. The first is our 9 year old cat, Portia, who we adopted from the shelter. Then came our 5 year old mixed breed mutt, Sandie, who my sister in law found as a stray and INSISTED that we needed a dog, LOL. I’m so glad she insisted, because Sandie has brought so much joy into our lives. Then there’s our 4 year old cat Zoey, who adopted US. No joke. We were visiting Don’s grandma for her birthday and this stray kitten followed us EVERYWHERE. The last thing I wanted was another animal in the hosue, and she was a mess — skin and bones and tons of fleas. But, I’m a sucker for an animal in need and we took her home and took care of her, and she’s one of the family, too. (@)
Comment by Janelle Denison — April 19, 2006 @ 8:46 am
I’m owned by a male, applehead, Siamese named, Damian. He has been with me for at least 16 years and has been there for me through good times and bad. He loves me unconditionally and I love him with all my heart. I don’t know what I’d do without him. (l)
Comment by Melissa — April 19, 2006 @ 9:08 am
Oh, Buddy is adorable! (I love to see pictures.) And I know just what you mean about them becoming family members. My dh insisted for years that I couldn’t have an inside dog–we live in the country and have a Black Lab that’s his and stays outside during the day, but comes in at night–but D always drew the line at letting me have an inside pet. So one day I simply got fed up and I crossed it by bringing home a Bichon Frise puppy we named Ollie. He is an *absolute* joy. He follows me around all day long, goes with me to pick up the kids in the afternoons. I talk to him just like a person, and to me, he is. He’s my little buddy. :-) (And Bichon’s are hypoallergenic, hint, hint. http://www.caneyforkkennel.com )
Comment by Rhonda — April 19, 2006 @ 9:14 am
aw so cute, i would love a pet but can’t have
Comment by kim H — April 19, 2006 @ 10:41 am
Buddy is so cute! My family shares our home with Rascal a Carin Terrier, Shadow a Ragdoll cat who is as big as Rascal and Callie a long haired cat who adopted us about 4 1/2 years ago. LOL I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have at least one pet in the house. I live in a very rural area and even have deer that I am able to pet.
Comment by Susan — April 19, 2006 @ 11:03 am
Buddy is adorable! Yes, pets are definitely members of the family. We have a Shitzu puppy named Zoe Belle, a cat named Miss Whiskers, and a Great Pyrennes named Sir Tiny (who now weighs almost 200lbs lol). They all have their own very distinct personalities. Each one is quite a character to be certain. I love Buddy’s fashion sense too lol!
Comment by Zara — April 19, 2006 @ 12:29 pm
There are no pets in my life now as the duplex I am in does not allow pets. Actually it is nice because I can go away & not have to take them or make sure they have care while I am gone. When I was married & my children were young we always had a dog or a dog & a cat or 2 dogs & a cat. I can’t say that I miss taking care of someone besides myself or the vet bills (another reason I don’t have a pet). We had a dog named Millie that was a poodle mix that acquired my family, she followed my oldest daughter home one day. She was a wonderful dog & I was sad when she was gone. At one time we also had a St. Bernard (husband did that, I could have killed him at the time!!) his name was Kirby. Kirby was very gentle & such a good dog but he liked to lay in the flower beds that had just been watered & he killed a lot of flowers & plants!! I have lots more pet stories but won’t bore you all with them. These days I get my pet fix by house/pet sitting for 3 couples that all do some traveling & they need someone to come in while they are gone. It is fun & the extra money is nice. My favorite is for one couple that have a very spoiled cat that is so easy & I love staying at their Craftsman house just a couple of blocks from me. Okay, sorry I got so long winded!! :d
Have a great day.
Donna M
Comment by Donna M — April 19, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
Right now, I have my dog, Lady, who is a long-haired dachsund, and Button, an incredibly large guinea pig. For the longest time, I had a “no reptiles, no rodents” rule, but I caved with my daughter. Button is really cute…for a rat. Okay, I know he’s not a rat, but you get my meaning.
Lady, on the other hand, is a peach. Janelle will tell you! (She loves Janelle!) She’s not hyper at all and never has been, but she’s so funny…during the day, when I’m working, she practically ignores me. Except when I’m on the phone, when she all of a sudden needs to go out and chase squirrels 1000 times a day. When I’m working, she’s sleeping. She knows exactly when I’m done working and then she wants to play.
I couldn’t live without her. I still miss my former dog, Buggabear (a 100 lb. chow/lab mix) and my Kitty (a Persian) but for now, two is enough. Pets are family members…even the rodents.
Comment by Julie — April 19, 2006 @ 5:39 pm
Well, I would have popped in all day but I have a KILLER migraine. I’ve been in bed all day. thanks to everyone who complimented my (&
Buddy and I appreciate it. :d I’m glad to see so many of you are pet people like me! He’s laying beside me now, too close considering he’s edging me off the bed, LOL. Anyway, sorry I was unavailable on the day of my post.
I’ll be back on JUNGLE MADNESS FRIDAY! What’s that, you ask? Come back Friday and find out! Oh and come back tomorrow for Janelle’s blog too! We want you all here every day!
Comment by Carly Phillips — April 19, 2006 @ 5:57 pm
I have an eight year old springer spaniel named Cassidy, AKA BooBoo. The dh and I don’t have kids, so we refer to her as our dog daughter. She is my baby and my best friend. Now that I am a full-time stay-at-home, Cass and I seem to be joined at the hip — actually about my knee level, because she’s short. LOL. Her only really bad habit is barking when I get on the phone. She learned very quickly that the barking got her a treat to quiet her down so I could have a conversation. *I* was easily trained! I just love her to pieces, and wish everyone could have a special pet.
Comment by Barb V. — April 19, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
Yes, Julie’s dog, Lady, is a real sweetheart. Everytime I visit, she’s attached to my lap, LOL. She has the softest ears, and I’m a sucker for dogs that have soft, silky ears.
I, too, caved to the “no rodent rule”, and somehow ended up with FIVE PET RATS in this house!!! Thank goodness they have a very SHORT life span, LOL. Our house is now currently “rodent free”, and I intend for it to stay that way! :d
Comment by Janelle Denison — April 19, 2006 @ 8:44 pm
Well, I guess you could say we love the animules! We have 4 mini-dachshunds (Chelsea, Allie, Oscar and Winston,) a cat, (Trudie) and a cockatiel (Prettyboy).
I love my “dashhounds”! They are the sweetest puppies. And I swear, Trudie the cat thinks she is one of them. Doxies are burrowers..they like to get underneath covers and sleep all piled up together. Most times, Trudie is piled up there with them! Crazy kitty!
Comment by Angie — April 19, 2006 @ 9:11 pm
Lady loves to burrow, too! Her favorite hiding spot is under my daughter’s comforter. My daughter has the only bed that is low enough for her to jump on. :d
Comment by Julie — April 19, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
I don’t have a dog, I have a cat. He is 12 years old and very bossy. He tells me when to go to bed and is always by me except when my mom is home then he ignores me.
Comment by Badbarb — April 19, 2006 @ 9:34 pm
Carly, so sorry you have a migraine. I suffer from really nasty ones. Hope you feel better soon!
Comment by Arlene — April 19, 2006 @ 11:03 pm