why i love dogs essay

Entertainment
Environment
Information Science and Technology
Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life Dog

Why Dogs are the Best Pets: Exploting Persuasive Arguments

Table of contents, unconditional love and loyalty, stress relief and emotional support, encouragement of physical activity, enhanced social interactions, protection and security.

Odendaal, J. S. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy—Magic or medicine? Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 49(4), 275-280.
Anderson, W. P., & Reid, C. M. (1992). The short-term effects of pet therapy on the elderly. Gerontology, 38(6), 307-310.
Wood, L., Martin, K., Christian, H., Nathan, A., Lauritsen, C., Houghton, S., ... & McCune, S. (2015). The pet factor—Companion animals as a conduit for getting to know people, friendship formation and social support. PLoS ONE, 10(4), e0122085.
Wells, D. L. (2009). The effects of animals on human health and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 523-543.
Nagasawa, M., Mogi, K., & Kikusui, T. (2009). Attachment between humans and dogs. Japanese Psychological Research, 51(3), 209-221.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Skip to main content
Skip to secondary menu
Skip to primary sidebar
Skip to footer

A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Essay on My Pet Dog | My Pet Dog Essay in English for Students and Children

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on My Pet Dog: A dog is known as man’s best friend because of the way dogs are loyal and friendly to their masters. Just like every dog owner, children love dogs more than anything in the world. It’s not just about children, anyone with a pure heart simply can not deny that they love dogs, unless they are actually allergic to dogs. For the families that have dogs, they are not just pet animals, but a true member of their family. Through this essay on My Pet Dog, we will be talking about all the adorable and lovely things that dogs do.

You can read more Essay Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

In this article, we have provided a 600-word essay on my pet dog for kids, students and schoolchildren for their usage in assignments, tests and project work. We have also provided a 200-word essay on my pet dog for kids to use in exams and tests and learn everything about the dogs. Read on to find more about essay on my pet dog for Class 1, Class 3, Class 6, Class 7, Class 8, Class 9.

Long Essay on My Pet Dog in English

Essay on My Pet dog german shepherd. My pet dog is my best friend in the whole world. My dog is not just like every other dog in the street, it is a special dog that loves me unconditionally. I found the dog with my parents when I was walking from school one day.

How did I Meet My Pet Dog?

It was around 10 o clock in the night and it was raining cats and dogs in our street. Everyone was inside the comfort of their homes and me and my mom ran back to our house to save ourselves from getting drenched. I asked my mom to make me some hot onion pakodas. It would be like heaven to have pakodas during heavy rains. Hot pakodas on cold and rainy days are the best part of my school days. The pakodas arrived and I and my father sat on the balcony having a good conversation while eating those delicious pakodas. But there was meagre moaning somewhere near my house that we could bearly hear. My father and I got worried. We thought something might be wrong and went outside to check upon.

And there he was, Raamu, my pet dog and my best friend in the whole world, abandoned by someone near the rainwater drainage pipe next to our house. I could barely see puppy as cute and innocent as Raamu, shivering and fully drenched in that cold rainy night. I felt bad for the dog and gave my pakodas and some bread to him. He ate it in a matter of just a few seconds. Then I and my father decided to take him home. We gave him good food and a hot shower and washed him with my own towel. This was 2 years back.

And ever since that lucky rainy night, Raamu is with us and he is our family now. When someone asks how many people are there in your family, I always say we are four of us, my mom, my dad, and my Ramu.

Why I Love My Pet Dog?

As I am writing this essay on my pet dog, Raamu is enjoying a good game of ball with my dad in the lawn area. There are many reasons why I love Ramu and one small essay on my pet dog will not be sufficient to express my love and affection for him. Nevertheless, I will try to write all the reason why I love my pet dog

My dog is incredibly and unconditionally loyal to me. He loves me as much as I love him or sometimes more
He is like the best teddy bear to cuddle with
We always play catch outside my house or sometimes in the park
He and I always sleep together on my bed and he wakes me up before anyone else in the house
He is the reason I am active and good at exercise. He will never let me be lazy. Whenever possible, we always keep playing some or the other games with him
Whenever I fight with my parents on friends, Raamu, my pet dog will always be there with me to support me and shower unconditional love on me
He is the first person to be happy whenever I come back home from school. He will cuddle and lick all over my face and show me how much he missed me while I was gone

Ramu is not just our family member, he is the most clever member of our family. He will play games with us, keep all our family members together with his love and cuddles and also he keeps thieves and uninvited guests out of our home. My pet dog is the best thing ever that has happened to me in my life.

Short Essay on My Pet Dog in English

We have provided a 150 to 200 words essay on my pet dog which can be used by school students and children for their assignments and projects.

My pet dog is my best friend in the world. We sleep together, eat together, play together and also love our mom and dad together. He is not just our pet dog but my brother and an important member of my family.

The unconditional love and loyalty he shows to us are never seen in anybody that I know off. He is the cutest person in our family, including me, and loves to take photos with me all the time.

We found him near our house on the streets, on a rainy night and ever since that cold and scary night, he has been with us and has become an important part of my life. He is always the first one to greet me whenever I come back home from outside. He is a foodie who likes to eat pedigree and biscuits. He also eats curd rice sometimes. He eats three times a day with me and sleeps twice or sometimes thrice whenever he is tired after playing outside. He not only loves our family but also acts as a guardian to our house and helps in keeping thieves and bad people away from us. My pet dog is named as Raamu and I love him very much.

10 Lines on My Pet Dog Essay in English

My pet dog is my best friend in the whole world
My pet dog shows unconditional love and loyalty towards me and my family
He is an important member of a family and not just a pet
I have learned how to be happy and joyful in life from my pet dog
He guards our house against thieves and unwanted people
It is because of the pet dog that I get to play outside every single day
I have learned to live in the moment and not think about the future from my pet dog
My pet dog in my brother, best friend and family
Whenever I am feeling low, my dog cheers me up and helps me get back on my feet
One thing I have learned from my pet dog is to forgive ourselves and everyone around us and embrace our lives with love and affection

FAQ’s on Essay On My Pet Dog

Question 1. Which dog is the best for a pet?

Answer: Every dog is the best for pet. Whether it is a street dog or a bred one, the love and affection we get is the same

Question 2. Do dogs have emotions?

Answer: Just like us human beings, dogs are capable of all types of emotions like angry, sad and happy

Question 3. What life lessons do dogs teach us?

Answer: To forgive things and be happy and content in life with what we have and to show unconditional love and loyalty with no strings attached are some of the most important life lessons dogs can teach us

Question 4. Is it costly to raise a dog?

Answer: Financially, it hardly costs anything extra to raise a dog as your pet. Dogs are some of the most loving animals on earth. All it requires is love and affection to raise them

Picture Dictionary
English Speech
English Slogans
English Letter Writing
English Essay Writing
English Textbook Answers
Types of Certificates
ICSE Solutions
Selina ICSE Solutions
ML Aggarwal Solutions
HSSLive Plus One
HSSLive Plus Two
Kerala SSLC
Distance Education

Essays About Dogs: Top 5 Examples and 8 Easy Prompts

Essays about dogs address the close relationship between a man and his best friend. Discover our top essay examples and prompts to assist you in writing.

There are 69 million households in the US with dogs. This statistic attests to the fact that many are fond of dogs and have them for many reasons, primarily for their unconditional love and emotional support. In addition, having a dog at home helps improve physical and mental health.

IMAGE	PRODUCT
	Grammarly
	ProWritingAid

5 Best Essay Examples

1. long essay on dog by prasanna, 2. dogs are better than cats essay by anonymous on papersowl.com , 3. dogs are not just companions — they are true bae by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 4. dog is a man’s best friend by anonymous on eduzaurus.com, 5. lessons we can learn from the life of our pet dogs by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. the truths about dogs, 2. pros and cons of having a dog, 3. the most famous dog breeds, 4. dogs and expenses, 5. a dog’s lifespan, 6. dogs and society, 7. my first dog, 8. dogs and mental health.

“Dogs have been a companion to man for almost 40,000 years. Dogs perform many functions. They are trained and are one of the popular pets to have.”

Prasanna’s essay contains general facts about dogs, such as their origin, characteristics, behavior, love for meat, and more. She describes the dog as a four-legged animal with sharp eyes, sensitive ears and nose, and of different breeds, sizes, and colors. The essay includes the various functions of dogs, such as hunting, pulling sleds, protecting, comforting their owners, and improving their well-being. Check out these articles about animals .

“… Dogs are better than cats. The loyalty, bravery, and human characteristics of dogs, as well as, the service and personal benefits of owning a dog far exceed those owning a cat.”

In this essay, the writer mentions how dogs are more energetic, friendly, protective, and easier to train and bond with than cats. The writer effectively discusses the advantages and disadvantages of owning these pets as a dog and cat owner. It also provides the readers with the relevant information they need when they look for a pet to adopt. If you disagree with this stance, check out these articles and essays about cats .

“They can read your facial expression, socialize and communicate just like any other human does. Dogs can empathize with human feeling and match with the wavelengths of their owners in an instant. They can easily decipher your depressed condition and they can smell your fears.”

The author uses research findings and a real-life story to prove that humans and dogs share a strong bond that’s unbreakable and unfathomable. In addition, they say dogs are the best therapy animals because they are compassionate, respond in a friendly way, and do not show stressful behavior while playing with patients.

To prove that dogs show loyalty, unconditional love, and strong friendship, the writer uses the story “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.” The story is about Hachiko, the Akita dog that walks his owner to and from the train station until his owner suddenly dies at work. As a loyal dog, Hachiko always comes to the station and waits with anticipation to witness his return until his last breath showing that they are truly best friends for life.

“… Not just a pet, but a part of the family. When we give love freely to dogs, we receive their love and affection in return. Dogs can truly be a man’s best friend, and we should be grateful to be theirs as well.”

This essay talks about the indescribable bond between a dog and its owner. Harley is the name of the writer’s big and muscular white female bulldog with a soft heart. The writer discusses how she gives them so much joy every time they play, train, and ride in the car. This essay also shows how protective the dog is and how it barks whenever someone strange approaches them. The author firmly believes that dogs are gifts sent by God.

“Dogs are not called man’s best friend for nothing. Aside the fact that they are a delight to look upon, they are also sweet creatures that act in ways we can learn from.”

This essay includes essential life lessons humans can learn from dogs, such as being adaptable to different environments or situations and remaining loyal and faithful to anything or anyone. Dogs’ carefree attitude allows them to be comfortable with themselves. It demonstrates how people can live freely to enjoy life happily. You might also be interested in these essays about animal testing .

8 Writing Prompts for Essays About Dogs

Did you know dogs are domesticated wolves ? If you plan to write a fun and engaging essay, look for amusing dog facts that many are unaware of. You can focus on one breed or discuss dogs in general. First, share the dog’s history, characteristics, and unique behaviors. Then, search for common dog myths and correct them.

If this sounds like a lot of work, do a 5 paragraph essay instead.

It has been proven that dogs are excellent for human well-being. They make people happy and comfort their owners whenever they’re sad. However, dog ownership is not just rainbows and sunshine.

For this prompt, consider the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a dog. In the conclusion, give your own opinion on whether people should have dogs or not. Add your reasons; this could be the cost, aggressive dog breeds, or allergies.

There are many dog breeds today. Pick the most popular ones and include why they are the ones usually seen, bought, or adopted. Write their characteristics and behaviors to help your readers learn about the similarities and differences between each dog. Use pet articles, scientific research, or other reliable sources to make your essay more credible.

You can also tackle the issue of dog crossbreeding , which can lead to genetic mutations.

Dogs need a place to sleep, training, grooming essentials, and other supplies besides the basics, such as food and water. These additional and continuous expenses hinder others from adopting dogs. Use this prompt to share factors that will help you decide whether to pursue adoption. Then, identify dog essentials and items and offer cheaper alternatives to save money.

The average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 13 years , which is much shorter than humans. This means humans usually outlive their canine companions. In this prompt, you can teach the readers how to calculate the lifespan of their dogs based on size and type. Then, advise the dog owners how they can make their dog’s stay on Earth worth it. For an interesting piece of writing, look for a story of a dog outliving its owner and how it reacted or lived out its remaining days, and include this in your essay.

Many households believe dogs symbolize protection and love. Society also adjusted to accommodate dogs with animal laws and dog parks. Further explain how interwoven dogs and the community are, that they’re now a necessary part of some people’s lives. For example, having a dog can make someone more sociable by setting a play date with other dogs and interacting with the other fur parents.

Use this prompt to share your first dog ownership experience with your readers. First, introduce your dog and how you got it. Next, describe your first dog’s unique qualities and add your unforgettable memories together. End your essay with the greatest life lesson your dog taught you that you still practice today.

Aside from helping their owners have a more active lifestyle, dogs also improve mental health. For this prompt, focus on therapy dogs. Discuss what they offer, including their therapeutic effects on their owners. Then, identify who needs them the most. Add the best breeds for therapy dogs and why.

Do you want to know one of our top grammar checkers? Check out our ProWritingAid review .

Why I Love My Pet Dog Essay ( loyalty of dog)

I have a pet dog and he’s the best. He’s always been there for me, even when I don’t deserve it.

Table of Contents

Short Essay on Why Loyalty Of Dog Essay

I love my pet dog because she is loyal and has always been there for me when I needed her. She has never once let me down, no matter what. She is patient and loving, and I can’t imagine my life without her by my side.

The basic needs of a dog

One of the many reasons why I love my pet dog is because they provide me with loyalty and companionship. Dogs have been known to be man’s best friend for centuries, and there is no doubt that this is true. Dogs are highly intelligent animals that have a great sense of smell, which makes them excellent hunters. They are also very social creatures, requiring companionship in order to be happy. As a result, dogs provide their owners with protection and a constant source of comfort. In addition, dogs can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as fetching objects or providing security. Overall, dogs are fantastic companions and provide many benefits to their owners.

Special characteristics of dogs

Dogs have many special characteristics that make them unique and loveable. Dogs are loyal to their owners, they are good at recognizing faces, and they are great at keeping track of things. Here are some of the reasons why I love my pet dog:

1. Loyalty : One of the main reasons I love my dog is because he is so loyal. He will always be there for me, no matter what. Whether it’s protecting me from an attacker or just being there for a hug when I need one, my dog always puts his loyalty first.

2. They’re Good at Recognizing Faces : Another thing that makes dogs so special is their ability to recognize people and animals. Whether it’s my father coming over to visit or a stranger on the street, my dog always knows who’s who and will greet them politely.

3. They’re Great at Keeping Track of Things : One of the most impressive things about dogs is their natural ability to keep track of things. Whether it’s finding that lost ball or following me around as I go about my day, dogs have a knack for paying attention to everything around them.

So overall, the reason I love my dog is because of his loyalty,

Why I love my dog

I love my dog for many reasons. First, she is loyal and always has my best interests at heart. She never tires of spending time with me, whether it’s going for a walk or playing fetch in the backyard. Secondly, she is always willing to lend a listening ear when I need someone to talk to. And lastly, she’s just an all-around great dog!

Reasons why people might not love their pet the same way

There are many reasons why people might not love their pets the same way as they once did. Some of the most common reasons are that the pet has passed away, become sick or elderly, or has moved away. However, even if a pet is still alive and well, it might not be as loved as it once was because of changing circumstances.

I love my pet dog. He’s been with me through thick and thin, good and bad; he’s been there for everything. I can’t imagine my life without him, and I wouldn’t want to try. Pets provide us with not only companionship but also emotional support in tough times. They are truly one of a kind and deserve our utmost loyalty.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

My Best Friend Essay in 200 Words For Class 6

72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

To find good research titles for your essay about dogs, you can look through science articles or trending pet blogs on the internet. Alternatively, you can check out this list of creative research topics about dogs compiled by our experts .

🐩 Dog Essays: Things to Consider

🏆 best dog titles for essays, 💡 most interesting dog topics to write about, ❓ questions about dog.

There are many different dog essays you can write, as mankind’s history with its best friends is rich and varied. Many people will name the creatures their favorite animals, citing their endearing and inspiring qualities such as loyalty, obedience, bravery, and others.

Others will discuss dog training and the variety of important roles the animals fulfill in our everyday life, working as shepherds, police members, guides to blind people, and more.

Some people will be more interested in dog breeding and the incredible variety of the animals show, ranging from decorative, small Yorkshire terriers to gigantic yet peaceful Newfoundland dogs. All of these topics are interesting and deserve covering, and you can incorporate all of them a general essay.

Dogs are excellent pet animals, as their popularity, rivaled only by cats, shows. Pack animals by nature, they are open to including members of other species into their groups and get along well with most people and animals.

They are loyal to the pack, and there are examples of dogs adopting orphaned kittens and saving other animals and children from harm.

This loyalty and readiness to face danger makes them favorite animals for many people, and the hundreds of millions of dogs worldwide show that humans appreciate their canine friends.

It also allows them to work many important jobs, guarding objects, saving people, and using their noses to sniff out various trails and substances.

However, dogs are descended from wolves, whose pack nature does not prevent them from attacking those outside the group. Some larger dogs are capable of killing an adult human alone, and most can at least inflict severe harm if they attack a child.

Dogs are trusted and loved because of their excellent trainability. They can be taught to be calm and avoid aggression or only attack once the order is given.

They can also learn a variety of other behaviors and tricks, such as not relieving themselves in the house and executing complex routines. This physical and mental capacity to perform a variety of tasks marks dogs as humanity’s best and most versatile helpers.

The variety of jobs dogs perform has led humans to try to develop distinct dog breeds for each occupation, which led to the emergence of numerous and different varieties of the same animal.

The observation of the evolution of a specific type of dog as time progressed and its purposes changed can be an interesting topic. You can also discuss dog competitions, which try to find the best dog based on various criteria and even have titles for the winners.

Comparisons between different varieties of the animal are also excellent dog argumentative essay topics. Overall, there are many interesting ideas that you can use to write a unique and excellent essay.

Regardless of what you ultimately choose to write about, you should adhere to the central points of essay writing. Make sure to describe sections of your paper with dog essay titles that identify what you will be talking about clearly.

Write an introduction that identifies the topic and provides a clear and concise thesis statement. Finish the paper with a dog essay conclusion that sums up your principal points. It will be easier and more interesting to read while also adhering to literature standards if you do this.

Below, we have provided a collection of great ideas that you can use when writing your essays, research papers, speeches, or dissertations. Take inspiration from our list of dog topics, and don’t forget to check out the samples written by other students!

An Adventure with My Pet Pit-Bull Dog “Tiger” One look at Tiger and I knew that we were not going to leave the hapless couple to the mercies of the scary man.
Dogs Playing Poker The use of dogs in the painting is humorous in that the writer showed them doing human things and it was used to attract the attention of the viewer to the picture.
Debates on Whether Dog is the Best Pet or not The relationships between dogs and man have been improving over the years and this has made dogs to be the most preferable pets in the world. Other pets have limited abilities and can not match […]
The Benefits of a Protection Dog Regardless of the fact that protection dogs are animals that can hurt people, they are loving and supportive family members that provide their owners with a wide range of benefits.
Compare and Contrast Your First Dog vs. Your Current Dog Although she was very friendly and even tried to take care of me when I was growing up, my mother was the real owner.
Cats vs. Dogs: Are You a Cat or a Dog Person? Cats and dogs are two of the most common types of pets, and preferring one to another can arguably tell many things about a person.
Dog Food: Pedigree Company’s Case The attractiveness of the dog food category is manifested through the intense competitive nature of the various stakeholders. The third and final phase of the segmentation is to label the category of dog food as […]
Cesar Millan as a Famous Dog Behaviorist Millan earned the nickname “the dog boy” because of his natural ability to interact with dogs. Consequently, the dog behaviorist became a celebrity in different parts of the country.
How to Conduct the Dog Training Properly At the same time, it is possible to work with the dog and train it to perform certain actions necessary for the owner. In the process of training, the trainer influences the behavior of the […]
Moral Dilemma: Barking Dog and Neighborhood Since exuberant barking of Stella in the neighborhood disturbs many people, debarking is the appropriate measure according to the utilitarian perspective.
Why Does Your Dog Pretend to Like You? Children and the older generation can truly cherish and in the case of children can develop as individuals with the help of dogs.
The Tail Wagging the Dog: Emotions and Their Expression in Animals The fact that the experiment was conducted in real life, with a control group of dogs, a life-size dog model, a simultaneous observation of the dogs’ reaction and the immediate transcription of the results, is […]
A Summary of “What The Dog Saw” Gladwell explores the encounters of Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer who non-verbally communicated with the dogs and mastered his expertise to tame the dogs.
“Marley: A Dog Like No Other” by John Grogan John Grogan’s international bestseller “Marley: A Dog Like No Other” is suited for children of all ages, and it tells the story of a young puppy, Marley, who quickly develops a big personality, boundless energy, […]
Dog Training Techniques Step by Step The first step that will be taken in order to establish the performance of this trick is showing the newspaper to the dog, introducing the desired object and the term “take”.
The Great Pyrenees Dog Breed as a Pet In the folklore of the French Pyrenees, there is a touching legend about the origin of the breed. The dog will not obey a person of weak character and nervous.
Dog Food by Subscription: Service Design Project For the convenience and safety of customers and their dogs, customer support in the form of a call center and online chat is available.
“Everyday” in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Haddon The novel presents Christopher who passes through many changes in his life, where he adapts to it and acclimatizes the complications that come with it.
A Dog’s Life by Charles Chaplin The theme of friendship and love that is clear in the relationship between Tramp and Scraps. The main being that Chaplin makes it very comical thus; it is appealing to the audience, and captures the […]
Caring for a Dog With Arthritis For Monty, the dog under study, the size, and disposition of the dog, the stage of the disease as also its specific symptoms and behaviour need to be observed and then a suitable choice of […]
Animal Cruelty: Inside the Dog Fighting In most cases the owner of the losing dog abandons the injured dog to die slowly from the injuries it obtained during the fight. The injuries inflicted to and obtained by the dogs participating in […]
“Traditional” Practice Exception in Dog Act One of those who wanted the word to remain in the clause was the president of the Beaufort Delta Dog Mushers and also an Inuvik welder.Mr.
“Love That Dog” Verse Novel by Sharon Creech In this part of the play, it is clear that Jack is not ready to hide his feelings and is happy to share them with someone who, in his opinion, can understand him.
Small Dog Boarding Business: Strategic Plan Based on the first dimension of the competing values framework, the dog boarding business already has the advantage of a flexible business model, it is possible to adjust the size of the business or eliminate […]
Small Dog Boarding Business: Balanced Scorecard Bragonier posits that SWOT analysis is essential in the running of the business because it helps the management to analyze the business at a glance.
Non-Profit Dog Organization’s Mission Statement In terms of the value we are bringing, our team regards abandoned animals who just want to be loved by people, patients with special needs, volunteers working at pet shelters, and the American society in […]
“Dog’s Life” by Charlie Chaplin Film Analysis In this film, the producer has used the comic effect to elaborate on the message he intends to deliver to the audience. The function of a dog is to serve the master.
Dog’ Education in “The Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson The second chapter comes under the title, Hard-Wiring: What the Dog comes with which tackles the characteristic innate behaviors that dogs possess naturally; that is, predation and socialization. This chapter sheds light on the behaviors […]
Breed Specific Legislation: Dog Attacks As a result, the individuals that own several canines of the “banned” breeds are to pay a lot of money to keep their dogs.
Implementing Security Policy at Dog Parks To ensure that people take responsibility for their dogs while in the parks, the owners of the parks should ensure that they notify people who bring their dogs to the park of the various dangers […]
Operant Conditioning in Dog Training In regards to negative enforcements, the puppy should be fitted with a collar and upon the command “sit”, the collar should be pulled up a bit to force the dog to sit down.
First in Show Pet Foods, Inc and Dog Food Market Due to the number of competitors, it is clear that First in Show Pet Food, Inc.understands it has a low market share.
Animal Assisted Therapy: Therapy Dogs First, the therapist must set the goals that are allied to the utilization of the therapy dog and this should be done for each client.
The Feasibility Analysis for the Ropeless Dog Lead This is because it will have the ability to restrict the distance between the dog and the master control radio. The exploration of different sales models and prices for other devices indicates that the Rope-less […]
Classical Conditioning: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks According to Basford and Stein’s interpretation, classical conditioning is developed in a person or an animal when a neutral stimulus “is paired or occurs contingently with the unconditioned stimulus on a number of occasions”, which […]
The Movements and Reactions of Dogs in Crates and Outside Yards This study discusses the types of movements and reactions exhibited by dogs in the two confinement areas, the crate and the outside yard.
Border Collie Dog Breed Information So long as the movement of the Border Collies and the sheep is calm and steady, they can look for the stock as they graze in the field.
Evolution of Dogs from the Gray Wolf However, the combined results of vocalisation, morphological behavior and molecular biology of the domesticated dog now show that the wolf is the principle ancestor of the dog.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Haddon therefore manages to carry the reader into the world of the novel and holds the reader to the end of the novel.
Attacking Dog Breeds: Truth or Exaggeration?
Are Bad Dog Laws Unjustified?
Are Dog Mouths Cleaner Than Humans?
Can Age Affect How Fast a Dog Runs?
Can Chew Treats Kill Your Dog?
Can You Control Who the Alpha Dog Is When You Own Two Dogs?
Does Drug Dog Sniff Outside Home Violate Privacy?
Does the Pit Bull Deserve Its Reputation as a Vicious Dog?
Does Your Dog Love You and What Does That Mean?
Does Your Dog Need a Bed?
How Can People Alleviate Dog Cruelty Problems?
How Cooking With Dog Is a Culinary Show?
How Can Be Inspiring Dog Tales?
How Owning and Petting a Dog Can Improve Your Health?
How the I-Dog Works: It’s All About Traveling Signals?
What Can Andy Griffith Teach You About Dog Training?
What Makes the Dog – Human Bond So Powerful?
What the Dog Saw and the Rise of the Global Market?
What Should You Know About Dog Adoption?
When Dog Training Matters?
When Drug Dog Sniff the Narcotic Outside Home?
At What Age Is Dog Training Most Effective?
Why Are People Choosing to Get Involved in Dog Fighting?
Why Are Reported Cases of Dog-Fighting Rising in the United States?
Why Dog Attacks Occur and Who Are the Main Culprits?
Why Does Dog Make Better Pets Than Cats?
Why Every Kid Needs a Dog?
Why Should People Adopt Rather Than Buy a Dog?
Why Could the Dog Have Bitten the Person?
Will Dog Survive the Summer Sun?
Animal Rights Research Ideas
Inspiration Topics
Animal Welfare Ideas
Wildlife Ideas
Emotional Development Questions
Zoo Research Ideas
Endangered Species Questions
Human Behavior Research Topics
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 26). 72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dog-essay-examples/

"72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dog-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 26 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dog-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dog-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dog-essay-examples/.

Essay on My Pet for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

In this article, you will read a beautiful essay on My Pet dog for Students and Children in 1000+ Words. This essay will help you write an essay on your own pet.

Table of Contents

Essay on My Pet Dog for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

Animals have a major role to play in balancing an environment . Apart from that, in certain respects, they are useful to humans. People love to have a lot of animals in their homes. Among them, the dog really is an animal that you can see “my pet” as a companion in many homes.

The canine has been a human partner since prehistoric days, so we find these dogs worldwide. There are hundreds of these breeds. However, every variation has one common factor, honesty , and fidelity to the lord.

My favorite pet dog

I chose him, along with his few distinctive attributes. Bruno refers to a popular dog breed named Labrador retriever. Bruno is a full-bodied chocolate-colored body with such a black border across the neck.

Considering that they knew our families well, they readily decided. Little did we realize that after his arrival, our lives would forever change.

At midnight, the fire broke out during our home. He saw the risk that we were in. My pet dragged my quilt aside and kept me awake. He took me to a kitchen. To my utter surprise, I noticed that a heap with dry fuel was lying there, and then all the fire climbed to the roof, or at once, and the other house members climbed from sleep. They kept the fire under control in the next few minutes. This action of Bruno cherished us all the more.

My Pet Changed my Life

Certainly, Bruno has made us stronger human beings. We are much more humane for animals today. There was one incident where the stray dogs will hurt a kitten, or to our delight, Bruno rescued the little kitten or took her home.

10 line on My Pet

The obedience that a dog displays to its owner is the best lesson human beings can gain from them. They are the companions of men who are always true to them and in their good or poor days. Further, all they have to is a little piece of bread as well as a lot of affection.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply, copyright protection, important links.

Essay Service Examples Life Dog

Why I Love Dogs: Personal Narrative Essay

Proper editing and formatting
Free revision, title page, and bibliography
Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Join our 150k of happy users

Get original paper written according to your instructions
Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

Recommended for you

10 reasons why i love dogs, dogs are cuddly, adorable, and the perfect friend to have around..

Everyone has a special animal that they hold dear to their heart. For some it might be a cat, or a horse, but for others it's a dog. No matter what animal is your favorite, we can all agree that animals are the perfect companions. For me and my fellow dog lovers, these furry little cuties are all we have eyes for. From their excitement when seeing us to their stedfast loyalty, a dog is the only companion I'll ever truly need. On my best days, the worst, and each day in between, dogs have never failed to make my day even better than the moment before. I don't know what I would do without these adorable friends, and luckily, I never will need to find out.

1. They always want to cuddle.

Want to take a nap? Need a moment of comfort? No matter the reason, dogs are the perfect cuddle-buddy. They will keep you warm and always make you feel safe during your cuddle session.

2. Without fail, they are always the first to comfort you.

Dogs seem to always be the first ones to notice when you are having a bad day. With the right cute face and licking of the hand, they are continuously able to make you feel better.

3. No one is more excited to see you when you come home.

Whether it be when you just wake up, or when you come home for the night, dogs are the first to greet you and are overjoyed to see you. They seem to have a knack for making you feel special and loved.

4. They are the most reliable protectors.

There is no one that I trust more than a protective dog. They always have your back and will never let you down. The safest place to be is behind a loyal, protective dog.

5. Since they need to be walked daily, they keep you in shape.

If you are anything like me, exercise tends to be the last thing on your to do list. I usually don't get around to it. Having a dog forces me to get off my lazy butt and take a walk.

6. They will never judge or criticize you.

As the loving creatures they are, dogs will never judge us for our mistakes.

7. You always know to not trust someone your dog doesn't like.

Just because people aren't the best judges of character sometimes doesn't mean that dogs are the same way. If your dog does not like someone, always trust them because a dog's instincts are never wrong.

8. Once you see their puppy dog face, you can't be mad at them anymore.

As much as we love these furry friends, they can be little trouble makers at times. Once they pull out their adorable puppy dog face, we are all doomed. There is no mess they can make that we won't forgive because they are just so cute.

9. You'll never be lonely with a cute dog around.

They never allow you to feel lonely. Between wanting to play, cuddle, and just wanting to be around us, dogs always make us feel loved and happy.

10. They truly are a person's best friend.

There is no one that I love more than my dog. Dogs are loyal to the bone and will always do anything to make us happy. My dog Roxy is my best friend, and I hope everyone else has a friend like a dog to love as well.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

Top Creators

1. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society 2. Radhi, SUNY Stony Brook 3. Kristen Haddox , Penn State University 4. Jennifer Kustanovich , SUNY Stony Brook 5. Clare Regelbrugge , University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Essay on Dog

Updated February 17, 2023

Dogs are one of the world’s most popular pets. In this article of essay on dog you get the information about why dogs are so much important to us in ours busy life. These domesticated animals descended from a wolf species. These four-legged animals are loyal, obedient, loving, gentle, and considerate. Dogs were one of the first domestic animals and have been man’s devoted mates for more than 40,000 years! There are hundreds of dog breeds worldwide. Although each breed has a distinct look, they all are members of the same species, Canis Familiaris.

Watch our Demo Courses and Videos

Valuation, Hadoop, Excel, Mobile Apps, Web Development & many more.

( Image Credit: Freepik )

Dog Life Span

The lifespan of a dog is relatively short, ranging from 12 to 15 years, depending on its size, with smaller dogs living longer. Because a female dog gives birth to a pup and feeds it milk, dogs belong to the classification of mammals. The dog’s offspring is known as a puppy or a pup, and the dog’s dwelling is a kennel. Their service to humans includes guard dogs, herding dogs, hunting dogs, police dogs, guiding dogs, sniffing dogs, etc. It has a powerful sense of smell and, with police cooperation, may apprehend murderers, thieves, and bandits. The military trains canines to track and identify explosive devices.

Reasons Why Dogs Are So Valuable

Some of the ways dogs benefit their companions are listed here.

#1 Protection

Some of the ways dogs benefit their companions are listed here. Dogs are loyal, so they always look out for their owners. They watch over our homes and things, bark, and make noise when they see someone they don’t trust. They also attack strangers and keep their loved ones safe.

#2 Law Enforcement

Dogs can smell and hear well. So, both the police and the military use dogs of different breeds. They are used to finding drugs and bombs by sniffing them.

#3 Tracking

Dogs can track better because they can smell and hear very well. People use them to find lost people and to find criminals who have gotten away from jail. When people go hunting, they also use dogs to find and bring back the animals they kill.

#4 Medical diagnosis

The dogs can detect specific medical diagnostics of a human. They can tell when someone has Parkinson’s disease, is about to have an epileptic seizure, has diabetes, or even has some cancer.

#5 Emotional support

Service dogs or guide dogs are a big help for people who have trouble seeing or hearing. People with anxiety, autism, and post-traumatic stress disorder also use dogs to help them feel better.

#6 Companionship

Dogs are incredible animals that love no matter what. Once they form a bond with a person, nothing can break it. They’re great friends, and all they want to do is make their loved ones happy. They help us feel less stressed, anxious, and depressed. They also help us work out and stay happy and healthy.

Why are Dogs needed?

Airports, borders, police stations, and the military are some of the suitable sites for the use of detection dogs. Hounds, terriers, and dachshunds are the most common varieties of hunting and tracking dogs. Dachshunds are also a popular breed of a tracking dog. These dogs can act as their human masters’ eyes, ears, and retrievers for companionship.

Final Thoughts

In many households, dogs have always been an absolute need. For hundreds of years, dogs have stood as a symbol of affection and protection. People have treated them as family members; the dog is there for us when we most need unconditional love and support. In this article of Essay on Dog you got information about why dogs are called humans true friend. Dogs are known to be one of the most reliable and trustworthy creatures. They only require kindness and attention from human beings. There are a lot of dogs out there who need adequate food or shelter. We are obligated to assist them and offer them an abundance of compassion. In exchange, they will adore us without any constraints.

Essay on Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

Students are often asked to write an essay on Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

Unconditional love.

Dogs are known as man’s best friend because they love us unconditionally. No matter what happens, a dog will always be there for its owner. They don’t care about our mistakes or flaws. They simply love us for who we are. This kind of pure love is rare to find.

Loyal Companions

Health benefits.

Having a dog can also improve our health. Walking a dog helps us stay active. Playing with a dog can also reduce stress and make us happier. Dogs can even sense when we’re sick and provide comfort. Their presence can make us feel better.

Teaching Responsibility

Dogs also help us learn responsibility. Taking care of a dog requires time and effort. We have to feed them, bathe them, and take them to the vet. This can help children learn how to be responsible.

250 Words Essay on Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

Introduction.

Dogs are known as man’s best friend. This phrase is not just an expression; it is backed by many reasons that make dogs special to humans.

Dogs are full of love. They don’t care if you are rich or poor, young or old. They just love you for who you are. This pure, unconditional love is rare to find. They show their love by wagging their tails, licking, and cuddling.

Dogs are very loyal. Once they become a part of your family, they stick with you through thick and thin. They are always there to cheer you up when you are sad and celebrate with you when you are happy.

Dogs are known for their protective nature. They will do everything they can to keep their family safe. They are brave and will not hesitate to defend their loved ones, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

Health Boosters

Having a dog can also improve your health. Playing with them can make you physically active, reducing the risk of heart diseases. Their presence can also lower stress levels and increase happiness.

500 Words Essay on Why Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend

Dogs are known as man’s best friend. This phrase is used so often because it is true! Dogs are loyal, loving, and always ready to make us smile. They are more than just pets; they are part of our family. In this essay, we will explore why dogs truly deserve the title of man’s best friend.

Loyalty of Dogs

One of the main reasons dogs are considered our best friends is their loyalty. Dogs are known for their faithfulness and devotion towards their owners. Even if you leave them alone for a while, they will always be happy to see you when you return. They never hold grudges and are always ready to forgive and forget. This kind of loyalty is hard to find.

Dogs Provide Comfort

Dogs keep us healthy, dogs teach us important lessons.

Dogs teach us many valuable lessons. They show us the importance of living in the present moment. They don’t worry about the past or the future; they simply enjoy what is happening right now. They also teach us about unconditional love. No matter what, your dog will always love you. This kind of love can teach us to be kinder and more understanding towards others.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Essay On My Favourite Animal

Table of Contents

Short Essay On My Favourite Animal

My favourite animal is the dog. Dogs are known for their loyalty, affection, and intelligence, and they are widely regarded as man’s best friend. They are one of the most popular domestic pets in the world and are cherished for their companionship and their ability to provide unconditional love and support.

One of the things that I love about dogs is their loyalty. Dogs are incredibly loyal animals, and they will always stand by their owners, no matter what. They are always happy to see their owners and are always eager to please them. Whether you’re feeling happy or sad, dogs will always be there to offer a comforting presence and provide support.

Dogs are also known for their affectionate nature. They love to show their love and affection to their owners and are always eager for a belly rub or a cuddle. They have a unique ability to sense their owner’s emotions and will often act accordingly, providing comfort and support when it is needed.

Another reason why I love dogs is their intelligence. Dogs are intelligent animals that are capable of learning a wide range of commands and tricks. They are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement, making them a joy to train and work with. Their intelligence also means that they are capable of solving problems and adapting to new situations, which makes them an ideal pet for families and individuals alike.

In conclusion, my favourite animal is the dog. Dogs are known for their loyalty, affection, and intelligence, and they are widely regarded as man’s best friend. Their ability to provide unconditional love and support, as well as their intelligence and affectionate nature, make them an ideal pet for families and individuals alike. I will always be grateful for the love and support that my dog has given me, and I look forward to spending many more years with my furry friend.

Long Essay On My Favourite Animal

We all have a favourite animal, be it a mammal, reptile, bird or amphibian. But why is it that we find certain animals so special? In this essay, I’ll explore the reasons behind my own personal favourite animal – and perhaps even inspire you to think about your own connection to the wildlife around us.

Introduction

We all have our favourite animals, whether it’s a cuddly cat or dog, or something more exotic like a lion or elephant. But what is it about our favourite animals that we love so much? Is it their cute faces, their adorable antics, or the way they make us feel?

For me, my favourite animal is the humble bee. I know they’re not the most popular of creatures, but there’s something about them that I find fascinating. Maybe it’s their hardworking nature, or the fact that they play such an important role in our ecosystem. Whatever the reason, I’ve always been drawn to these little insects.

In this essay, I’ll be discussing why the bee is my favourite animal and some of the interesting facts about them that I think make them so special.

Reasons why Animal is my Favorite

There are many reasons why animals are my favorite. They are adorable, they provide us with companionship, and they offer us protection.

Animals are also a source of food and clothing. They can be used for transportation and labor. In addition, animals can be used for research to help humans understand the world around them better.

Description of the Animal

My favourite animal is the lion. The lion is a large cat of the Felidae family and one of the four big cats. The males have a mane of hair around their head and neck which makes them look even more majestic. They are the only cats that live in groups, called prides, consisting of related females and their young, led by a single male.

Lions are apex predators, meaning they have no natural predators and therefore sit at the top of the food chain. As such, they play an important role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem. Unfortunately, this also means that they are constantly under threat from humans who hunt them for their fur or trophy, or who destroy their habitat through development or agriculture. Thankfully, there are many organisations working to protect these magnificent animals and their habitat.

Interesting Facts About the Animal

There are many interesting facts about animals that most people do not know. For example, did you know that the average lifespan of a housefly is only 21 days? Or that a hummingbird’s heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute?

Here are some more fascinating facts about animals:

– A group of geese is called a gaggle. – A group of crows is called a murder. – A group of owls is called a parliament. – A group of frogs is called an army. – A group of kangaroos is called a mob.

Why this Animal Should be Protected and Respected

It is hard to imagine our world without animals. They are an important part of the eco-system and the food chain. Many animals are also revered for their beauty, strength, and intelligence. The tiger is one of these animals.

The tiger is the largest member of the cat family. It is a powerful predator that is feared by many. However, the tiger is also an endangered species. There are estimated to be only 3,200 tigers left in the wild. This is due to hunting and habitat loss.

The tiger has been an important part of human culture for centuries. In many cultures, the tiger is seen as a symbol of strength, power, and courage. The tiger is also an important animal in Buddhist tradition.

There are many reasons why the tiger should be protected and respected. First and foremost, they are a keystone species. This means that they play an important role in their ecosystem. Tigers help to keep the population of their prey in check which helps to maintain a balance in nature.

Secondly, tigers are an iconic species. They are one of the most popular animals in zoos and safari parks around the world. They are also one of the most recognizable animals on earth thanks to their striking orange and black stripes.

Thirdly, tigers have great economic value both alive and dead. Their skins and body parts are highly prized in some cultures for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In fact, Tiger bone wine is still made and consumed in some parts of Asia.

Finally, tigers are a source of inspiration for humans. They are majestic animals with an undeniable presence. This inspires people to take action to protect them and their environment.

The tiger is an important species that deserves our protection and respect. It is essential that we do all we can to save the tiger from extinction. Through conservation efforts, habitat preservation, and public education, we can help ensure that future generations have a chance to appreciate this beautiful animal in its natural habitat.

Different Ways to Help Protect the Animal

There are many different ways that people can help protect animals. Some simple things that everyone can do to help protect animals are to learn about the animal kingdom and how important it is to maintain balance in nature, to vote for stricter laws and regulations regarding animal cruelty and habitat destruction, and to support organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

People can also help protect animals by reducing their consumption of meat and other animal products, choosing environmentally-friendly personal care and cleaning products that don’t contain harmful chemicals, and by donating time or money to local or global wildlife conservation efforts. We all have the power to make a difference for animals, so let’s start today!

I am truly thankful that I have the opportunity to be around and appreciate my favourite animal. From its majestic look to its warm, kind nature, there is something about horses that will always capture my heart. This essay has been a great reminder of why this majestic creature holds such a special place in my life – from the deep connections it can create between humans and animals to its ability to bring joy and peace into any situation. Horses are creatures like no other, and should be appreciated for all the wonderful things they have brought into our lives.

Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.

Essay on importance of yoga, essay on cow, climate change essay, essay on slaver, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Dog — The Joyful Bond: Why I Want a Dog

The Joyful Bond: Why I Want a Dog

Categories: Dog Pet

About this sample

Words: 630 |

Published: Sep 5, 2023

Words: 630 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

The gift of unconditional companionship, encouraging an active lifestyle, promoting positive mental health, conclusion: a furry addition to our hearts.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1456 words

2 pages / 745 words

1 pages / 639 words

1 pages / 385 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Dog

When you hear the word pets the first few that would fine to mind would be a dog, cat, goldfish or even a rabbit. Some persons may decide to have a not so common pet like a tiger, spider or even an elephant. Pets have become a [...]

Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2013). Do cats have a reputation for being more independent than dogs? Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8(6), 439-445.Cattanach, A.M., & Young, S.S. (2014). Dogs and [...]

Dogs, often referred to as "man's best friend," hold a unique and significant place in human society. Their importance transcends companionship, encompassing roles in emotional well-being, health benefits, and critical societal [...]

Dogs are more than just pets; they are loyal companions who bring countless benefits to their owners. From guarding the house to relieving stress, dogs play a significant role in the lives of many people.One of the primary [...]

Lopata, L. (2020). Dogs Have Been Humans' Best Friends for 20,000 Years, According to Artifacts. Mental Floss. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/why-dogs-are-mans-best-friend/

As a dog owner, making your dog listen to you can be stressful. There are many methods to teach a dog to respond to commands, but the most commons are: operant conditioning that uses stimulus, punishment, reinforcement, social [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Paragraph on Dog

If I ask you to pet an animal, the dog would probably be the first animal coming in your mind. It is obvious, and that is why we have created few paragraphs on Dog with different world limits and in easy language for students of class 3rd and above. Have a look at these paragraphs.

Short and Long Paragraphs on Dog

Paragraph 1 – 100 words.

The Dog is a domestic animal. It is most of the often-used animal as a pet. People prefer to have a dog as a pet rather than any other animal. The dog serves its master selflessly. All that it wants in return is love and care of the owner.

There are many breeds of dogs available in the world. Every breed has unique qualities and abilities different from the other. We can find the dogs all over the world. Some of them as a pet while some other wandering on the road. Some wild dogs live only in the forest.

Paragraph 2 – 120 Words

The Dog is a very faithful animal. Having a dog as a pet brings a moment of joy and excitement in our life. Almost everyone wants to have a cute dog in his home. Breeding a dog requires the best care to make him healthy and happy.

The dogs need an open, clean and secure environment to play and grow. They also need a healthy diet with fresh water. It can prevent them from illness and increase their life span. A banded dog tends to become irritable and unsocial. We must set them free most of the time. The regular exercise and timely visits to the doctor are the most important to keep them fit. Our care is their future.

Paragraph 3 – 150 Words

The dogs are good friends of humans. They are incredibly important to us. The dogs are not just a pet animal, but they hold much importance in our religious traditions. These traditions are from different religions spread across the whole world.

In Hinduism, Dogs is a representative of deity ‘Bhirav’. Hinduism worships dogs especially for his honesty, loyalty and the ability of protection. Among the 12 zodiac signs in Chinese tradition, one zodiac sign is the dog. Despite being the best friend of human, Chinese people use them for performing rituals and traditions.

Dogs have been the second most important domesticated animal in Egyptian history. In ancient Egyptian culture, it was an important tradition to bury the dog with his master after his death. Even in Zoroastrianism, the dogs are the cleanest, most honest, sacred and the most important animal. They especially feed dogs on the death memorial of someone.

Paragraph 4 – 200 Words

Three out of five houses in India have one or more dogs as a pet animal. The word used for an adult female dog is ‘Bitch’. Globally the word ‘ Puppy’ is famous for immature dogs. The dogs cause many viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan diseases. Scientists’ research has found that dogs have originated from the grey wolf. The modern dogs are both the herbivorous as well as the carnivorous. The human started breeding the dogs about 9000 years ago.

The initial purpose of breeding dogs included assistance during hunting. The bred dogs were also a way to get rid of intense hunger. The dogs have a strong sense of gravitation pull. They can easily experience the intensity of the gravitational strength of the Moon. The gravitational pull of Moon at night makes dogs restless, and they start barking in the group. The words ‘Pack’ is most often used for a group of dogs.

Like we have different fingerprints, dogs have different nose prints. No two dogs in the world can have the same nose prints. The dogs are a kind of jealous animals, and they hate their master playing with some other dog or animal instead of them.

Paragraph 5 – 250 Words

The Dog is not only an animal but also the best friend of the human being. His existence in our family or home adds some extra joy in our life. Many people believe that the Dog is the best creation of God. They are not just an animal, but they hold a lot of importance in our life.

Dogs are the best companion of humans. They don’t prefer living alone and join you every time you need them. Even their presence at the time of stress or anger can help us in cooling our minds.

Dogs are a good learner. They can learn new things very efficiently. The defense and Investigation agencies train them to fight against danger and crime. Their learning ability is still a matter of wonder for scientists.

Dogs are the first choice of people to keep as a pet animals. The advantage of it is that they are the stress killer. Playing with a dog can help humans in reducing their mental stress. It may be a reason why dogs are the best friend of humans. Dogs can change your mood, which makes them the only need at the time of pain or stress.

Playing with dogs can be an unplanned exercise for humans. The dogs are very active and cheerful animals. They have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Playing with them needs the same level of energy and enthusiasm in us. Playing with them continuously helps us in staying fit and active.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans. Dogs are considered to be the most loyal animals in the world.

Ans. Great Dane dog breed is the largest dog breed in the world.

Ans. Shih Tzu is one of the smallest dog breeds in the World.

Ans. Rabies or Hydrophobia can take place if a mad dog bites anyone.

Paragraph on moral values, paragraph on republic day of india 2023, paragraph on national festivals of india, paragraph on national flag of india, paragraph on importance of republic day of india, paragraph on education, paragraph on my best friend, paragraph on zoo, paragraph on diwali.

The Other End of the Leash

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals.

Why Do We Love Dogs So Much? So, So Much?

May 6, 2019 >> 108 Comments

I shouldn’t have been surprised at the depth of my grief when Willie died. After all, I’m the one who wrote about his uncle that “I imagine his death as if someone took the oxygen out of the air and I was supposed to live without it”. Every week I post comments from people who have had to put dogs down , and their pain and suffering is so acute it hurts my heart every time I read them.

And yet, the tsunami of grief that overwhelmed me after Willie died was so intense that I barely made it through the first few days. I knew it would be awful. Just not that awful. Now that I am no longer in danger of drowning, I can’t stop wondering why we love our dogs so much that their deaths are almost unbearable. I think it’s an important psychological and sociological question that hasn’t had enough consideration.

Here’s my best guess: Dogs get us coming and going. They elicit profound love and nurturance as do our own young, AND they give us the unconditional love we all need/want from our parents. In other words, they wrap us up in everything we need from our families, from the bottom up and the top down. Bear with me while I elaborate:

First, grown up dogs may be sentient adult mammals, but they are non-verbal and basically helpless, just like our own young. Dogs can communicate, but they can’t use the richness and nuance of human language. This is often a disadvantage–they can’t tell us what’s hurting them, or take comfort in our explanation of thunder. However, it is of course also an advantage, in that it makes our relationship with them simpler and devoid of the baggage that weighs on our human relationships like an anchor.

These advantages and disadvantages are important, and they are all based on the fact that like human infants and toddlers, dogs can’t talk. And many ways, they are as helpless as a toddler. Sure, they can face down a ram in the barnyard, or scratch open a cabinet door to get the garbage, but they can’t open a door to escape a fire, they can’t buy their own dog food, and they can’t tell us when and where they are in pain.

Thus, dogs elicit primal emotions from us that are central to our being. Our brain, hormones and behavior are designed to respond to young, helpless mammals. If it wasn’t so, no three-year old would make it past the day that they’d painted the wall with feces when their parents were so tired they could cry.

None of this is new to any of us, right? Neither is it news that dogs are famous for giving us “unconditional love”. Most of the time dogs seem to think we hung the moon, even though none of us really deserve it. (Caveat: See “dogs can’t talk” section above. Willie’s uncle Luke had a look I called “—- You”, and the first word wasn’t “Love”.) But most of the time, there is simply no one in our lives that loves us as much as does a dog. You’d think we’d won a gold medal when we arrive home and our dog’s behavior says YOU ARE THE MOST WONDERFUL THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. Every time we pick up a leash or a shepherd’s crook or the car keys we are THE BEST THING EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

But there’s more to this “ unconditional love ” thing than making us feel momentarily happy. The desire for it is as primal as the need to nurture baby mammals. We hear at length about the need for children to feel unconditional love from their parents to be truly healthy as adults. (Remember that this does not mean spoiling children or creating no boundaries. I love you does not equal I love everything you do .)

Ask any parent (or child) how easy this is to pull off. Not many of us, even those who have had good, caring parents, grew up feeling unconditionally loved. Not many parents that I know feel like they’ve pulled it off as well as they wish they had. And yet, dogs are experts at it. How often, in the rest of your life, do you feel like THE BEST THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD? In capital letters? What a gift.

And so, here we are, smack in the middle of two basic, primal needs that only dogs can give us–the need to nurture, love, and protect young mammals who are part of our family, and the need to feel deeply loved, just because we are, well . . . us. So dogs are primal replicates of our children and our parents, all wrapped up into soft, cuddly individuals with loving eyes, expressive faces and goofy tails. Wow. No wonder.

In some ways, none of this is news. But I haven’t heard those two things put together in quite the same way. And you? What do you think? I’d bet the farm (and I have one to bet) that there are some of the world’s greatest dog lovers reading this post, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

MEANWHILE, back on the farm: We’re just back from the Nippersink or Swim Sheepdog Trial outside of Lake Geneva, WI. It’s one of my favorite trials because the course is gorgeous and huge, and the sheep are “light” and reactive rather than “heavy” and stodgy. Maggie loves huge, open areas and loves light sheep, although in her first run she over flanked repeatedly, not being used to sheep that are so responsive. But she quickly adapted and worked the sheep beautifully on second run. It was her first big trial since last July before she injured her leg so I was truly happy that she had a lovely second run. She made one costly mistake at a key moment (argh!), and lost a lot of points because of it, but we both recovered, got back on the course and got a very tricky pen. Most importantly, she was as happy as I’ve seen her since Willie died, and that was my primary goal. Willie loved the smaller, easier novice courses, but didn’t like the pressure of long drives in what’s called Open Ranch or Pro Novice class. Maggie seems to adore trialing, and always wants back on the course after her run. It was rough skipping almost all of the trial season last year because of her leg injury, not to mention all the time (and $) spent on physical therapy, but, cross your paws, it seems to be paying off.

Here’s just a small section of the course. It’s one of the prettiest in the Midwest.

I love this photo below, with its gorgeous green hills in the background, the reality of spring in the foreground (aka “mud”), and the commitment of the dog to get around to the back of the sheep and turn them into the exhaust pen.

You don’t want to stand in the way of sheep going into the pen to join their flockmates.

A few more photos from the weekend (from top left, clockwise): The whistles we use to communicate at a distance, paws in black and white, the ubiquitous porta potties, rain and mud required lots of shaking off, and Maggie enjoying a play session to warm up before her run.

I look forward to your thoughts about our love affair with dogs.

May 6, 2019 at 3:27 pm

That is so interesting to put those 2 theories together and when put together it makes perfect sense.

I would like to add one more thing that perhaps isn’t as flattering for us humans. I think we love dogs (and all of our pets) because we can be completely selfish with them. I am of the belief that humans are naturally selfish and we battle with that all our lives.

With children, parents are often forced to sacrifice their wishes for their child’s well being. Not that we don’t sacrifice for our dogs, but we don’t have to worry about what they would think of us (which is something many of us do all day long in the people world) or worry that we have said something to offend them or feel as if we weren’t grateful enough for something they have done for us. It’s hard work trying to be a good human. There is a constant check list in our heads that we subconsciously go through in our work and home lives to make sure all is balanced and it can be exhausting.

With dogs, a lot of that is just not there. You are good to them because you truly want to be not because they expect it. If you get home late or are just too tired to take them to the park, they don’t hold it against you. It is that unconditional thing again, but in a way that you could never get from a human. It’s pure and unrelenting. The strongest of human bonds: that of a parent and child, that of a husband and wife, that of a sister and brother, that between friends will never be that independent of your own thoughts or behavior. Steady is the word that comes to mind. Steady love.

It’s also probably the only relationship we can have where we are totally, 100% in control. We make all the decisions, for better or for worse. That is mostly not a good thing, but it feels good in this crazy world to have total control over something, doesn’t it?

So that’s why I say it’s a selfish kind of love. Very little demanded of us with a huge return. It’s a relief when I get home at the end of a long day at work and my guys are not expecting anything from me. It’s just good enough that I’m home.

Now why we continue to torture ourselves with this deep love knowing that we will have to live through its loss, that’s the mystery to me and something that should be studied. And we do it to ourselves over and over again. I think the research results would probably say something simple like “it’s worth it”.

Trisha says

May 6, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Oh, right on HFR, I think you’ve made an important point. Although… Maggie at the moment is staring at me asking why we are not working the sheep and I am puttering around the stove…

Heidrun says

May 7, 2019 at 1:25 am

Your thoughts/theories put together make perfectly sense. I have never thought about it that way and I am a bit stunned.

And there is another thing about dogs: with them, you always know where both of you stand, what to expect (in matters of their feelings, not necessarily their behaviour…). There is no room for interpretation, everything with a dog’s feelings and emotions is simple, pure and clear. They don’t withheld any of it. Whether it is joy or frustration, love or anger – it is always on display, never hidden (at least if you know the dog and are aware about a dog’s way of communication).

This makes it a lot easier for me to interact with dogs than with people. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy human company, meeting friends and making new ones. But there is always the slight feeling of walking unknown territory: are they just being polite – or do they really mean what they say?

Being with the dogs on the other hand is always being “home and safe”. Dogs don’t pretend to like or love you and one can always be sure the feelings on display are genuine. The sense of safety is an important element in a relationship, I believe, and this makes it so easy to love them.

I am really happy for you that Maggie is in good shape and you can participate in trials again!

May 7, 2019 at 4:31 am

This is by far your best blog, IMHO. I am in awe of the way my dogs looks at me when I feel I really haven’t done much to deserve it! Everyday I look at them and think, how did I get so very lucky to have this animal love me so very much? I walk them, play with them, bath and take care of them give them incredibly expensive toys and food, without a thought, and they just look at me and I feel, maybe I could do a little more! And I know the time will come, it has come many times before in my life. Never getting any easier, in fact, I believe it’s getting harder. But I still cannot imagine my life without them. I am reminded of a saying by Irving Townsend, sent to me by a veterinarian who had recently helped a dog of mine to Rainbow Bridge. “We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle easily and often breached. Unable to accept it’s awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan.” BTW I do love all of your blogs, this one was just special and I thank you for that.

May 7, 2019 at 5:16 am

I so totally agree with the comments and sentiments expressed above, and never thought of it so succinctly before. However, this also helps me understand the pain in the decision some people make when they lose a beloved dog, to never get another one. That always baffled me before. I can’t imagine getting through the pain and grief of losing one dog, without having another in the house to ease that suffering. And I well know that the next dog won’t be the same. He’ll be better and worse in all of his own unique ways. But I now recognize some people feel they just can’t love that way again.

I also have a few friends who’d never had a dog, never wanted one, and then circumstances changed and they ended up with a dog. Each one came up to me later and said that they finally understood why I had dogs and would never be without one. My dogs have made me a better person.

May 7, 2019 at 5:28 am

My deepest, relatable sympathy for you Trish. The hardest thing about owning a dog is saying good bye, no matter how difficult or sick your dog may be, no matter how complicated your life gets, the deep bond and happiness they bring to your life is undeniable. We had a standard poodle diagnosed with addisons and infectious endocarditis at 3 yo. His prognosis was not good but he lived to 11yo. The emotional and financial load was real but we dealt with is happily and when he passed of cancer it hit us very, very hard, even though we had been “preparing” ourselves for years. We still get weepy when we think of him after 5 years but we feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have had him in our lives for so many years. I am sending you a big hug and may all the wonderful memories bring you some comfort. Thank you for sharing him indirectly with us, his spirit lives on in everything you share. 🐾❤️

Jane Haynes says

May 7, 2019 at 5:30 am

I read with tears your description of drowning in grief. When my Lab Ada died at age 10 only two weeks after showing cancer symptoms and two weeks after she earned her MACH, I was drowning in grief to the point of wanting to die myself, of bargaining with God that h/she could have my right arm if I could spend one more day with her. And I meant it. Five years later, her loss can still hit my heart like a sledgehammer in sudden desolate moments. For I would add to your reasons we love so and we grieve so is that our dogs seduce us into play and silliness and unselfconcious abandon. They release us from “adulting” to feel the joy we felt as children when we played horses with our best friend or watched for Santa on Christmas Eve. Ada’s half brother Quinn was also stunned by grief – ours and his – but his sweetness helped us get back to reality, and her grand niece Cora, arriving 1.5 yrs later, was certainly sent by Ada, as she is a kindred spirit, a comfort dog, child lover, and snuggler.

May 7, 2019 at 6:09 am

the above blog is amazing and very thought provoking thank you!

May 7, 2019 at 6:36 am

I LOVE this blog! Thank you! I think you are exactly right. I would love to explore the non verbal connection more. I have a feeling it connects us much deeper than we realize. I work with children of all ages and I have often noticed that we communicate much deeper with body language, facial expressions, and tones. Words can seem to complicate the message. Non verbal expressions seem to be more authentic. I’m very curious about this aspect of our deep connection with our amazing dogs.

My heart is with you and Jim. I am so deeply sorry about Willie. I’m sending you hugs!

Diana Rubin says

May 7, 2019 at 7:02 am

I agree with Lainy. For me, this is one of your best essays — ever. I’ve spent hours scouring the internet trying to understand what it is in myself that makes me love — and grieve — so much more the loss of a companion pet than any human who has ever passed through my life. So much, in fact, that I had begun to fear a terrible fault in myself. Your words though, have put it into a context that now makes me feel okay about loving animals too much. And, in a way that no “explanation” I’ve ever found has been able. After reading and re-reading your post, I now understand that I am not a bad person because of how the loss of a companion pet affects me. To the extent — that up until now — I’d never been able to admit to others.

Barbara says

May 7, 2019 at 7:23 am

Another aspect to losing a beloved animal is that it is an unwelcome milestone in our lives. A uniquely wonderful period in our lives is OVER and we will NEVER have that again. We may have a new relationship with a new pet that will be equally good but WE are now different. We are older. We may no longer be able to do the same activities that we enjoyed before. It reminds us that we are not immortal either. Ok, a horse is not a dog. They don’t live in the house. They don’t give unconditional love. However. I had an amazing Anglo-Arab gelding named Fritz for twenty-one years. During that time I took riding lessons, went on long trail rides and to horse shows, I groomed him, fed him, loved him, made many memories. Fritz was a communicative horse. He let me know how he was feeling. “See that big rock up there? When we gallop past it I’m going to spook!” And I would laugh and tell him not to. Riding him was a joy. When he had to be put down at age 31 (tumor on his intestines) I cried for weeks, months. I was no longer the young woman who bought this horse. I had physically and mentally aged to the point that starting over was not possible. So, for me – the “end of an era”. Four months after Fritz died I walked down to the barn, saw his halter and burst into tears. A year after he died my husband used Fritz’s feed tub to haul some compost. How insensitive! But then I was able to convince myself that I had survived and (sort of) laugh it off. My point is that losing an animal friend marks the end of something we treasured and will never have again. I think that contributes greatly to our pain.

Jean Carr says

May 7, 2019 at 7:36 am

The one thing about dogs, which I think you have mentioned before, is that they don’t get angry with us, or at least not very easily. So it is always win-win. I feel as though I let Bailey down when I don’t take her on a long ramble, but she never holds it against me. This is in contrast to cats. I had one cat who chewed one hole in each of my sweaters when I went away for the weekend.

It is just unbearably hard to lose them.

Cindy Hinsch says

May 7, 2019 at 7:50 am

Patience for me is the most challenging so God gave me one of the most challenging dogs of my life time at 59 years of age. I do own a couple of strong character traits like perseverance and love. Having the loving company of a dog to exist with in my favorite place …my home as a single person, has meant life itself for me through three very divinely appointed K9 companions in the past three decades since 30 years of age. Cha cha through my 30s, Rumba in my forties into my fifties. Sadly Samba for 3.5 years from my age of 55 to 59. As a matter of fact I insisted on sanova well I have now at 60 years old because her history and resemblance of Samba labels are meant to be in my mind. I felt this was God’ choice for me as well. I have rescued all of these four dogs mentioned. I had a great experience living with a roommate and her German Shepherd back in the 80s, so I have always rescued shepherd mixes ever since. The last two …Samba and Sanova being pure German shepherds …white in color were both rescued from puppy mills .They were Mama’s breeding under very thoughtless conditions. For Me and My Dawgs allow me to develop my character they make me a better person as I tend to their needs to be part of a pack … Though it is just myself and one dog companion at a time. They Foster my independent freedoms and I nurture theirs. The patience that I have had to refine as I encourage Sanova to accept civilization reminds me how important it is to accept other humans ability to cope with civilization too considering the environment in which they have been raised as well. Being aware of love and what it can conquer is what my dogs have always meant to me.

Thank you so much for your guidance and your heart Patricia. It has been a lifeline for Sanova as I practice your instruction. We have been together 16 months and I discovered your no Force training technique through a reference from my local behaviorist named Mannette Kohler. I have two of your books and your audiobook for the love of a dog. These are also heaven sent. A Divine appointment for Sanova and me. Sanova and I hope to meet you someday as well. In the meantime I still have to prepare her. She still wants nothing to do with anybody but me. Time is the most valuable for us and in time we’ll be fine. Patience, I am learning so much about patience♥️ Thank you again Trisha! Sincerely Cindy and Sanova

patrick says

May 7, 2019 at 7:54 am

Beautifully stated and one to remember.It meshes perfectly with the wonderful book I’m reading “Deep Creek” by Pam Houston.Her love for animals trans cends all other aspects of her life.

Beautifully stated and one to remember.It meshes perfectly with the wonderful book I’m reading “Deep Creek” by Pam Houston.Her love for animals transcends all other aspects of her life.

Wanda Jacobsen says

May 7, 2019 at 7:57 am

Wonderful blog. Thank you. We love our dogs because they are huge hearts wrapped up in soft, warm fur. On top of that, they make us laugh. Our Irish terrier, Quinn, is often just a red colored ‘stinker’! He loves sneaking a shoe, showing us he has it and then the game of “Keep Away” begins! This morning I heard the back door closet door open. Me: “Quinn opened the closet door. You know what that means.” Husband, going around the corner to ‘protect’ his shoes, bursts out laughing. “Quinn, just peeked from behind the closet door to see if I was coming.” Me: “He knows he’s being a little sh*t.” Only Quinn can make us laugh out loud first thing in the morning before we have to go off to work. What is a better send off than a mischievous dog? A good laugh can beat a cup of coffee every time!

grandma says

May 7, 2019 at 8:11 am

I wonder if it has to do with being born into a home with dogs/cats already? I was..one of my first memories is a dog’s face against mine, the cold nose evidently didn’t bother me. Now all my children have dogs in their homes because that is the way they grew up, just as I did. And those who did not have that wonderful experience…they rarely have dogs themselves. Interesting, right? Their loss….dogs are just wonderful, that’s it!

Cheryl Cornett says

May 7, 2019 at 8:47 am

This was absolutely breath taking in it’s clarity, conviction, and simple truths. I recently had to say good-bye to a very, *very* special dog… and I am still driven to my knees at times when I think of her and how much I miss her. A friend sent me a quote that has helped: “The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.”

Honey Loring says

May 7, 2019 at 8:53 am

Hi Trisha, I feel for you, losing your heart-of-heart dog. Only time makes it bearable, at least that’s the way it’s been for me. Great pictures that say it all.

My “take” on why we love dogs so much is from the late Caroline Knapp in her book “Pack of Two – The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs”. In this book she talks about the unconditional love she feels for her dog, the kind of love that knows no fear or hurt, unlike loving a human. I myself like feeling loving even more than being loved, so that made sense to me.

Lynda Costello says

May 7, 2019 at 9:47 am

You are always so articulate and so often say what I’ve felt, both the joys and the heartache of being owned by my dogs. Thank you so much!

May 7, 2019 at 9:50 am

Some many years ago there was a program on WPR about loneliness… John Cacioppo, a Professor/Researcher who focused on loneliness and developed the field of social neuroscience, offered something that stopped me in my tracks: Paraphrasing, to the best of my memory, he stated that cortisol peaks in humans during late night and early morning hours when we perceive ourselves as isolated. That it is during those times we have been most vulnerable historically, and therefore reliant on “the pack” for our own well being. Whoa, right? Sort of opened the floodgates of thought for me. And of course I wondered if dogs, being social mammals, would experience similar peaks in cortisol during actual or perceived isolation… When you ponder something for many years, as evident by this wonderful blog, there is such richness there. I look forward to adding this into the mix. On that note, perhaps there is some historical element to our bond with dogs that is a primal comfort. Perhaps that because there species has been integral to our own, we can feel it on an unconscious level. And since we have worked with dogs remotely in a variety of contexts, like shepherding or guarding, we have a bond that transcends physical space more so than our bond with humans. The knowledge of their presence, wherever that might be, is a salve to us in anxious moments.

When they leave this earth, however, we know they are gone. We feel it more acutely because their presence had previously defied time and space… quite unreal. So sorry for you and Will.

Mary Beth Stevens says

May 7, 2019 at 10:45 am

Wow! Such wisdom and insight from every last one of you! Thank you, all. I am late to life with getting dogs, but losing a beloved cat 5 years ago taught me that I had never truly understood the definition of “heartbroken.”. Now with two dogs who make my heart stop with overwhelming love for them, I dread the inevitable day we say goodbye. With our cat I used to think, “well, when she goes we’ll just get another one.” She went, and I realized that there simply IS no replacement. Not only is that animal gone, but so is that unique relationship, not to mention (as was so well-articulated by a reader above,) that period of our lives. No wonder we mourn! But my husband and I are of the same mind – when one goes, we will start looking for another dog and set out on creating another relationship.

Miriam Tworek-Hofstetter says

May 7, 2019 at 10:46 am

Another aspect (maybe already commented on above) is dog as best friend/companion/partner. My dog passed away on April 1st of this year, and so much of what I miss is how he prioritized being right next to me, or at least on the other side of the door, even in his final days. If I couldn’t sleep, he would get up with me to hang out in the living room. Or if I went out to the garden in the backyard, he would come with me and chew the nearby grass. Every mundane thing had a joyful purpose when he was there.

I’m so sorry you lost Willie, and I am also so grateful that you are sharing your grieving process with us. I had no idea how hard it could be.

May 7, 2019 at 10:47 am

I love thinking about why we love our dogs so much. I keep thinking about something I read in Caroline Knapp’s book, A Pack of Two. It was a passage about how we use our dogs as allies to send messages to someone else. For example, “Spot, tell Mr. Grumpy that you need to go out but would like him to apologize to me first.” It was funny and true. My dogs are my allies in life in ways they didn’t opt in for but I wholly rely on. I always think they are or will be on my side (while not always by my side 🙂

I also think I love the dogs that are harder cases. Take our two current dogs – I love Phoebe, the peacenik, lunk-head, but not in that achingly can’t-imagine-life-without-you way. (She’s got Pavlov’s hierarchy of need instead of Maslow’s.) I am thankful for all the things she’s taught me (she brought me here to this community), and I’ll be pondering for many years the things she’s brought that remain beyond my ken. We’re close but not so emotionally tied into one another.

Olive, the anxious, heart-of-a-terrier dog, lives in me and with me in ways that will wrench me apart when she‘s not here. She is tuned in ways that are hard to explain. It’s part the trials and tales we’ve been through, part the things we’ve taught each other, part feelings of amazement and agony when I look at her, and part deep sympatico.

We humans also have that lovely coping mechanism that allows up to remember the good while most of the bad recedes to a subterranean place in our brain. When a new dog comes into my life, I never think how hard it will be when they die. I think of how much fun we’ll have now!

Also, I just want to thank you. I know how easy it is to slip away in grief. Thanks for keepin’ on with all of us.

May 7, 2019 at 11:26 am

I feel so at ease with my border collies. I am only completely open, honest and my true unguarded self when working, trialing or hanging out with them. That’s unimaginable to expect in human interactions, at least in my lifetime.

widogmom says

May 7, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Peace and healing to you, and to us all.

May 7, 2019 at 1:16 pm

Somewhere I saw the term used in reference to their dog, “platonic partner.” I think there’s an element of that, too. At least for some of us single (sort of by choice) and childfree (totally by choice). My once in a lifetime dog is the partner that goes with me everywhere. We have give and take. He gets swim time even when I’m cold because he needs it, and when I’m unwell, he will sleep next to me for far more hours than he would typically. We share each other’s language – although he learned to speak English sooner than I learned to speak dog. While I can’t necessarily know when he’s is pain, I have a good grasp on his needs and anthropomorphizing, maybe, it feels like he knows when I need him to do something ridiculous to make me laugh as well. I mean, yeah, I have to do all the cooking and cleaning, but that’s not atypical in partnerships either. He does a fine job of prewashing the dishes, so there’s that. I’ve not had a human partner, parent, or child die. I’ve been through the deaths of three of my own and two senior foster dogs, and those relationships had variations of the child/parent theories. Each was different, partly due to where I’ve been in life but also how I bonded with the dog. With the heart dog, my platonic partner, watching him grow old faster than I can take must be what it’s like knowing, as you perfectly phrased, that the oxygen will be pulled from the air, when one’s life mate of the human kind is going to die. Sending hugs to you. We’ve cried together through Luke and Willie, even if you didn’t know it.

Kathy Stepp says

May 7, 2019 at 1:17 pm

I agree with everything you’ve stated in this blog. I have an additional thought. I do many performance things with my dogs. Those various events have created wonderful friendships and so much plain old fun. I spend many joyful (OK sometimes less than joyful) hours training my dogs alone, training with friends, and participating in various dog events. The loss of a well trained team mate is also painful. All that love and a talented, good natured partner in the game of my choice. There really is nothing like it and losing that impacts almost every aspect of every day.

May 7, 2019 at 1:18 pm

Maggie says

May 7, 2019 at 1:23 pm

Just over a week ago I had to make decision to end one of my dogs life. It was so sudden, he was suffering and there was no way to cure him. I still cannot believe it happened. Yes, I agree that dogs are like my children, my best friends and my teachers. They thought me so much about emotions. Sky, who is no longer with us was my teacher on asertiveness, setting up boundaries and protecting ourselves. He thought me that patience brings trust and love. These are the things that parents should teach their children and I have learned them from my dog. I miss him so much…

May 7, 2019 at 1:26 pm

I can very much relate to both loving a vulnerable animal, and feeling love from that animal. But I’m not sure I feel the love is unconditional, and increasingly I’ve come to love dogs for their tanrums, their gleeful thievery, and their willingness to experiment with(on?) us to see if they can get something cool to happen by manipulating our behavior. Like a lot of my dog nut peers, I love naughty dogs.

Cecil most definitely fits the bill. He yells at me for being in the bathroom too long. He – cat-like – knocks things off the bedside table and looks at me as if to say, “whatcha gonna do about it, Dad?” All these little habits that drive me nuts and land him even more securely in my heart. Why is that? Is there a clear evolutionary explanation? Maybe like a happy parent admiring his kid’s newfound confidence?

He’s almost eleven, and I’ve lately found myself saying to my friends, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without him. It’s going to f*** me all up.” And it’s true. I’m sorry your dealing with that now, Trisha, and thanks so much for sharing your meditations on grief with us. They helped me a lot when I lost Duchess and I know they will help me again in the future.

Dixie Tenny says

May 7, 2019 at 1:33 pm

Trisha, I am so very sorry for your loss. I only just heard, and have been reading back and catching up. Keeping you in my heart.

Your post reminded me of a short one I put up a few years ago, when my darling Arrow was nearing the end of his life. Just in case you want to have a look, here it is. http://dreamdogcentral.com/2016/12/17/our-ever-changing-relationships-with-our-dogs/

Much love from Dixie

Chelsea Wood says

May 7, 2019 at 1:47 pm

Something I always come back to when I think about the unique kind of love that exists between humans and dogs (me and my dog in particular) is the intimacy of communicating without words. Think about your romantic partner or your best friend–these are the people that we can talk to with just * a look.* It’s a special kind of closeness that is developed and earned over time. I feel the same way about my relationship with my dog. It feels amazing, wonderful and special that I can tell my dog I love her with just a touch and a look and truly feel that she gets my message. And it goes both ways. When she does her doggy version of a hug (pushing the top of her head into my chest to get as close as possible) I feel that message just as clearly: I love you.

Joanne Singer says

May 7, 2019 at 1:57 pm

I have lost three since the beginning of 2019 and have another who is 17 and probably won’t be around much longer. The losses are almost killing me. I have found it necessary to practically shut down my emotions because they are just too hard to deal with. I still cannot look at the place on the couch where little Roy (papillon), the smartest dog I have ever encountered used to sleep. The agony is bone deep and tears come for no reason other than the mention of their names. Perhaps time will do the healing.

AnnaLisa says

May 7, 2019 at 2:02 pm

I think that the noble elements of this notion are true enough, that as social mammals, we are programmed to want to feel accepted, because acceptance is safety, access to resources, and security. This is true for all social mammals–rejection often equals death in the wild–animals that don’t form a mating pair and find a territory typically do not live as long as mammals that do. Canids are programmed for social maneuverability that seeks balance–wolves avoid confrontation when they can and get along in order to survive, and when they can’t avoid confrontation (or choose not to) they avoid prolonged struggle. In the wild, cooperation is about efficiency, and even in conflict, the death blow to another wolf is often ‘humane’ in that it is quick and causes minimal suffering because a less accurate blow leaves a wolf that can fight back, and cause the attacker suffering.

This is all to say, canids evolved to efficiently maneuver among other members of their species that would as soon kill them as ignore them. Not getting along means death, directly or indirectly (through isolation, lack of access to resources, etc). Along come human beings, another species of violent mammal that likely killed many of the early canids that didn’t learn how to maneuver around them. But soon enough, canids figured out how to maneuver around, and effectively manipulate human beings, even as we imagined ourselves to be shaping them through breeding, we were working from a foundation of members of a species that chose to get close enough to us, and survive long enough, to be domesticated.

Over time, the things that human and canine wanted evolved away from literal well-being and more toward emotional well-being, as survival became less of a factor and both species gained the wild liberty afforded by almost assured survival, resources, etc. Humans, being cowardly at their core, have largely culled any canines that would threaten them, even when they were being quintessentially human (read: flawed, impatient, volatile, unstable, even violent). In a wild pack, an unstable leader who is unnecessarily violent is typically taken down sooner, rather than later (I can think of one particular case of a gratuitously violent and even cruel she-wolf who was the alpha of her back until the pack finally had enough of her seeking out and killing foxes, coyotes, etc just for being nearby, and got tired of her constantly menacing them–her sister killed her, with the support of the rest of the pack, and raised her pups as her own). But humans have left almost exclusively non-confrontational members of the canine species, who will tolerate our flaws and even in some sad cases, our abuse, without ever raising a paw in self defense. In the worst case, we have created the perfect victim, but in kinder environments, we have created a completely accepting companion that never rejects us, and also, conveniently, knows just how to manipulate us. We love dogs so much for the same reasons that we do not deserve them: most are without guile (trustworthy), they make us feel safe, because we trust them, they seem to truly adore us (as this element is clearly key to their continued survival among humans, the more dogs that behave this way and survive because of it, the more dogs that will be made with this obsequious aspect), and they are completely in our thrall. We say whether they live or die, whether we want to or not–something that is not true of any human children or parents…typically.

Human relationships are complicated by human desires, and while dogs may be just as selfish as any human (I have a female dog that truly only cares about what she is getting, but still manages to perform endearance rituals to get by), our memories of them are not complicated by things they have said to us, times they have chosen not to spend time with us when we wanted to spend time with them, times when they weren’t there when we needed them, or times they did not help us when we needed help, as human relationships often are. This is partly because we understand the limitations of dogs (they can’t give us a ride to the airport) and partly because they are essentially our very-loved prisoners. They can’t reject us, and they are bred to defer to us over many generations. They come into our lives younger than us, and helpless, and often leave our lives older and wiser than us, but still helpless. We watch the entire spectrum of their lives from infancy to geriatric years with a small bit in the middle where they are full of life and independent, but mostly, they need us–they are the only animal in the world that operates this way, really. Some cats may need human help, but most figure out how to survive on the streets without it, if they must. Horses can go back to surviving in the wild fairly easily, if the necessary resources are at hand, but dogs we have bred into helplessness–some can survive if they get lost, but mostly they come back emaciated, covered in ticks, and just generally in terrible shape.

This is a long way to say, that yes, I think you are on to something, and I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Even in their last moments, our dogs want to please us, and it’s up to us to smile and be strong, and tell them that they are a good boy because we have come to care about their happiness above all, as their happiness is our own. They are mirrors into our success as human beings. I have never met a good person that was not liked by dogs, or a bad person that was (and I mean, objectively–the people that our office dogs did not like or who did not like dogs ended up going on to be in trouble with the law or just untrustworthy). They are a litmus test of whether we are balanced and true.

I adopted a senior dog from a shelter in NY just before he was slated for euthanasia. He was somewhere between 8-10. He had the worst clinical separation anxiety I have dealt with, to this day (and was truly cured by your “I’ll be Home Soon” pamphlet, though he did need drugs to even begin behavioral modification, he did not need them forever). The ONLY thing he cared about in the entire world was where I was, and cheese. If there was cheese in the room he did not care where I was and would leave me in a second–he was always allowed to leave me, but I was not allowed to leave him. Even though I had him for over 7 years, a whole second life, and even though he did allow me to leave him sometimes, I always worried about being there when he passed. This was the most important thing to me so that he did not feel his worst fear had been realized–that I was gone when he died and he was abandoned. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and we had a little over a year of successful management and anticipatory grief before he finally re-entered heart failure and we had to say goodbye. During this year, I made herculean efforts to give him the one thing he wanted: my undivided attention. I took him everywhere. I did not travel. I traveled out of state for one overnight trip for a friend’s wedding and he deteriorated significantly. Any longer and he likely would not have survived–since his personality and his need to control/approve of my whereabouts caused him a great deal of stress and stress exacerbated his heart condition.

Thankfully, at the end, I was there with him. Just me. Family members stopped by to say goodbye before he went. But no other dogs were present (though that may have helped them, it was very time sensitive and it would simply have added stress for him). In his last moments, it was the two of us together, him staring at me with the pure devotion I did not deserve, us face to face as he closed his eyes on this world, me smiling and telling him he was a good boy, giving him my full and undivided attention, until he was gone, and I was allowed to be sad, for I felt I owed it to him to be happy that he was there as long as he was there and this was HIS final time to be made as easy and pleasant as I could make it.

It was a great relief to me to be able to be there with him, because I knew that was all that he wanted, though I can’t say I ever want a dog that obsessed with my whereabouts again as that is a lot of pressure and strain, it was easy to give him the only thing he cared about, in the end.

To this day (this was two years ago, now) I cry at this memory. The moment is frozen in time, and the pain lives encapsulated and preserved as fresh as it was on that day. I wish I could say it gets better, but it does not. In a way, it is a gift–a bloom of the love that grew. But it would be good if someone could truly figure out WHY dogs affect us the way that they do so that we can learn to live with the pain of their passing in a healthier way that evolves over time. “Knowing” that the soul goes on, knowing that they passed peacefully, knowing that we were there for them…it doesn’t quite seem to be enough in the face of their absence.

Even when, a year later, I found a 7 week old puppy in a vacant lot that looked uncannily like him, that brought my two remaining dogs back together in a way that only he had (he was truly the glue that held the three together), that exhibited some eerily similar traits to him, my stupid human brain still sometimes focuses on what is missing, and how much it hurt to lose, even if somehow, it has returned. Even more interesting, perhaps, is that this puppy would have been born a year after he passed, to the day.

This is a long, rambling way of saying, we have created for ourselves the perfect way to break our hearts, but the joy and reciprocity of love in the meantime leads us to repeat the pain, time and again. We are gluttons for punishment, and gluttons for love.

Melissa Stone says

May 7, 2019 at 2:09 pm

Thank you for putting this into words. Whenever I’ve had an old dog, I pray, “God, make it hard on me and easy on them.” God has never disappointed. My last boy, Laddie, a big Smooth Collie, passed in November. I lay with him and cupped my had gently around his nose, hoping I could convey a small final comfort through this keenest of all dog senses. When his chest rose … and fell for the last time, I was gutted. “I take it back, God! Give him to me for just a bit longer.” But, a deal is a deal and Laddie went to join Molly, Teddy, and Jaffa. I believe each of their everlasting spirits were reborn into a new puppy. I watch them.

Minnesota Mary says

May 7, 2019 at 2:17 pm

Really amazing insight – dogs provide both the same type of love as a child and a parent. It is both a simple and a profound insight.

I would add that some dogs get further into your heart than others. I love all my dogs, even the problem foster dogs. But my elder dog (14.5 year old husky) was the one with whom I volunteered as a pet therapy team with hospice patients every week for 7 years. The bond I have with this dog far surpasses the love I have had for my other dogs who have passed, and for my younger dog who I’m training to take over this wonderful volunteer activity.

Every day I remind myself to treasure and appreciate the time I have with my elder husky. I’m so fortunate to have him in my life and blessed to have the means to continue to provide rehab (hydrotherapy) weekly, pain relief and physical therapy exercises at home. Without these, he would be unable to enjoy his remaining days. He would be unable to go on walks and would be in a lot of pain. With the things I am able to provide, he is relatively pain-free and still enjoys a mile-long walk twice daily. If I could, I would do more for him!

His spirit is so gentle and loving, and his heart so giving. I don’t know what I will do when he has to leave someday. What I can do is love him with all my heart every day he remains here with me!

Judy Hiller says

May 7, 2019 at 2:38 pm

I have loved and lost many dogs over the past 45 years, but have been prepared to cope with their eventual loss and my need to make sure I do not selfishly prolong their suffering, so I accept my responsibility at the end of their lives. I was thus unprepared for the devastating sadness last year when I had to choose euthanasia for my “just” nine year old. Surgery had not only not helped her, it had moved her pain to an intolerable level and it broke my heart to hear her scream in pain…I could not allow her to live with that excruciating pain. I knew it was the right choice, but I just did not expect that loss to affect me so deeply for so long. I have loved all of my dogs, but this one lingers a year later in a way that none have before. Maybe it is MY age and knowing I won’t have many more chances to love new dogs, but the depth of sadness is very real and the “missing” her part feels the same as it did a year ago.

May 7, 2019 at 2:43 pm

I wish I could remember the author or even the title of the book but those are lost in the vaults of memory; what has stayed with me is the description that losing a dog is akin to an amputation. Everyone else in my life has an independent existence that is separate from me. My dogs are the best part of me and in a very real sense extensions of me. I love the idea that they are at the same time parent and child corollaries. Thank you for a beautifully thoughtful blog.

May 7, 2019 at 2:54 pm

Wow, this makes so much sense on a gut level.

I’ve had a puppy in my life for one week (just temporarily) since my girl passed last year and already life feels much more complete on a very primal level that I find hard to articulate, yet you have done so on this blog so profoundly while mourning and feeling intense grief for your beloved companion, Willie.

We are wired for connection, but the complexity of our human relationships offers me only a certain level of satisfaction on an emotional level. The intrinsic sense of joy and the feeling of everything being right with the world when we love a dog and they love us back is something very special. I also think that our love for dogs perhaps unconsciously helps connect human beings to care for each other more. They seem to enable us to be more empathetic with each other: we have all made so many acquaintances and friends with other humans and dogs out on walks that we ordinarily wouldn’t have done so without the presence of our canine companions; charities exist that care for homeless people’s dogs, e.g. Dogs on the Streets, understanding that their canine companions are instrumental in some people’s wellbeing and indeed, reason to stay alive; their presence in working environments can reduce stress, promote feelings of wellbeing and deepen professional bonds to enable better teamwork, not to mention the astonishing diversity of their utility as colleagues and service dogs due to their incredible primary sensing abilities and our ability to work as a multi species team. The documentary series on Netflix called ‘Dogs’ had some great stories about dogs increasing empathy in humans, including one story of how people caught in a war zone moved heaven and earth to reunite one man and his dog.

I don’t believe in God but I do believe in Dog. (I think Julie Hecht said this?) 🥰 As you have previously described, our relationship with them is a miracle of biology.

Deb McGrath says

May 7, 2019 at 3:27 pm

You are such a positive, compassionate, intuitive, empathetic and insightful human being…and the way you articulate and share each of these insights, and yourself, is what keeps me coming back for more…and believe me when I say I have read dozens of books on dog behavior, training, and human/canine interaction, but none come close to helping me to better understand how best to be the “person my dogs believe me to be.” Definitely a work in progress, but I am loving the journey due to people like you helping me to navigate this amazing relationship with my Hooligans. Thank you!🐾💕👣

gail lilly says

May 7, 2019 at 3:56 pm

I lost a beloved dog almost two years ago. Not the first loss by any stretch, but a very hard one. Cotton, my dobie girl, and I, did a lot of staring at each other. I would look at her and feel: ” I love you Cotton” and she would look as if she understood. Sometimes if I was preoccupied because of anxiety or worry, she would come over and lie down by my chair. There was a lot of unspoken communication using eyes, heart and touch, no spoken words. Authentic communication sent and received. A head on my shoulder while driving, a look from across the room to check to see if I saw her there, to see if we were still connected. Connected from the inside out. Nothing contrived, no ornamental appointments, just two beings together in their respective devotion to the other. How can that not be woefully missed.

Lisa Herman says

Beautiful article. I lost my beloved dog almost a year ago. He was a rescue, my first dog as an adult and my soul mate. I worked very hard to learn his language, to understand him and partner with him (your books were so incredibly helpful Patricia) and in return he gave me his complete devotion and his heart. Every dog is a unique expression of his species and I think there is something very transcendent about training and working with dogs and animals (I have horses and have loved and lost them as well). When I see a behavior that is so clearly from the purpose and integrity of their social order it really impresses me to want to be a better human being and when I see my dog really trying and being patient and in control of his natural desires and still trying to always be happy it inspires me to do the same. Dogs remind me that there is so much more than being merely human and they inspire me to be so. In this very mundane world it is incredibly fulfilling to be able to sit in silence with your dog, to know him and be in complete communication with him and to remember that being alive and together in a pack is one of the happiest, best and most important thing in life. Death tears that away and it is the worst pain.

May 7, 2019 at 4:04 pm

I’m not as eloquent when writing as you are (especially not when Im on using my phone). I have an elderly dog and my parents have our elderly family cat. So I am trying to prepare myself mentally for the inevitable.

I think there is a bit more to our relationship with pets than just a primal nurturing need.

My elderly dog has been with me since my late teens. When I think back on our relationship I think about how much she has changed my direction and my identity. How I’ve grown and developed over that time. I think about the hard times Ive had and how she was my support, the only one who I was prepared to verbalise my darkest, scariest fears or desires etc. I identify with her personality and see similar traits in myself. I have a younger dog with a very different personality and I identify with some of his traits in my own personality too – particularly when I am at work.

I think we incorporate our pets as part of our identity. They are the experiences we have, and they are involved in our processing of external experience, both of which lead us to our understanding of our sense of self, and how our sense of self has changed during the course of their lives. When we lose a pet it is like losing part of our identity.

We nurture and love children and family and friends but they have their own identities and personality and live external lives to ourselves.

Just my thoughts.

I am sorry for your loss Trish. I have followed you and Willie for many years. It was sad to hear the news that he had passed.

Carolyn says

May 7, 2019 at 4:37 pm

How to get past the grief or in other words why do we get dogs knowing one day they will put us through potentially the hardest emotional trauma in our lives? I think it is purely a serotonin thing, well largely a serotonin thing. I have never had a child but I have heard that the serotonin rush after a baby is born is so strong that women are willing to go through labor more than once. And I think getting a new dog is literally like falling in love with a new romantic partner. Finding and having a dog that bring us joy provides frequent and or constant feel good hormones and we become addicted to it.

Last year a family Golden (belonged to my dad) came to live with us after I lost my 13 1/2 year old Golden girl. My new girl has Nutritionally Mediated Dilated Cardiomyopathy from eating a grain free food before she came to live with us. She could die at any moment yet I still really really wanted her to come live with us. I needed another Golden in the house as I had become quite irritable downcast.

I believe that physiologically and psychologically we are programmed to discount and forget emotional trauma when it comes to forming attachment bonds. With the dangerous world that humans evolved in where losing children and romantic partners was common, being willing and even wanting to form more attachments was essential to the species survival.We are serotonin junkies and dogs are our drug of choice.

Suzanne Brunner says

May 7, 2019 at 4:40 pm

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my black lab , Vinny, just a few weeks after I lost my husband. Vinny was such a good dog during my husband’s long illness and losing him hit me so hard it was unimaginable. I was puzzled about why I was so paralyzed by this loss. I finally realized that he was the only one in my life who knew and understood the rhythm of my days. Not even my own children knew what I did as soon as I got up in the morning, prepared meals or relaxed after dinner. Vinny knew and understood and he was happy to be there for all of it.

Toni cramer says

May 7, 2019 at 5:05 pm

I am 65 yrs old and have had border collies my entire adult life. I love this breed for their intelligence, mischief, eccentricities, and clarify (relatively) in communication. I have always trained them to be excellent family members first – and was shredded when each passed. Then I plunged in to the world of perforce sports. First flyball racing. Now herding. Hours of training, games, traveling to tournaments and trials. The depth of love for these competition dogs is no more or less, I think, than he family dogs before them. But I was totally unprepared for the loss of my first trained competition dog. 2016. And I cannot write this comment without crying and feeling shattered. I have pondered why? The answer I have come up with thus far is that there is a qualitative difference in the bond and relationship that forms. All have been excellent family dogs. Both categories – significant training. But a sport requires more. More communication under stress. More trust and belief in my dog. More of a training stretch on my part. Every day. Every week. Every road trip and experiencing new things together. I truly dread the loss of my retired flyball partner and cannot even imagine how crushing it will feel to let go of my herding partners. Just my thoughts.

dana schreiber says

May 7, 2019 at 5:14 pm

the vet school used to have a grief group twice a month for people who had lost their pets.. I couldnt go because I worked, but I met privately with the person running the group.. her name was Myrna SOlganik, I think… anyway of all she said, one thing stood out… we know from the day we bring our new pet home, that we will likely outlive them.. and so we almost start grieving their loss and valuing their preciousness from day 1… I think that is a big part of it… on my 7th dog, wake up every morning hoping they will wake up also.. I feel I can lose them so quickly… I have never had children so I dont know if that is how parents feel.. I think not.. I think parents always expect their children to outlive them… not so with our pets… I think that is where the grief comes from so intensely.. we know we will lose them and that makes the connection more intense…

Katherine says

May 7, 2019 at 5:32 pm

For those of us unfamiliar with the love that parents share with their children, I would add a dogs unparalleled sense of companionship. Perhaps it is their love that makes them want to be near us at every moment, waking and otherwise, but it is the companionship that makes the quiet moments worthwhile. They offer a togetherness without undue focus. Just being together in the moments of calm.

Kim Hart says

May 7, 2019 at 7:39 pm

My husband and I have no children together. I have two adult children who have been selfish in their lives and truly awful to me. So our dogs are our children. Last year in February, we were walking our two dogs around our property, like we did every day, but this was early on a Sunday morning. Our cattle dog, Sammy, has been with us about two years from the same rescue we got Logan from. He was the product of a divorce. Husband got him I think because wife didn’t want him and then husband traveled and asked the lady that ran the rescue to sit for him when he traveled, allowing Sammy to come back and stay with her. One time he never came back for Sammy and quit returning her phone calls. We got him because Logan had severe separation anxiety, which we dealt with before with other dogs and we knew the only cure was a friend. Sammy was professionally trained and extremely smart. He would stop on a dime if you called him and could catch a tennis ball or frisbee no matter how hard you threw it. So we never worried about walking Sammy off leash on our property. But the entrance that we had to walk past during our circle around the trail, was right by a busy road. Sammy saw a woman walking her dog on the bike trail that ran along the other side of this road. As he took off I screamed no and began to run. I kept thinking it was early morning in a Sunday and maybe, just maybe no one would be on the road. Then I thought he would get to the pavement and I would see the sand kick up as he skidded to a stop before entering the road. But he didn’t. And when I realized he wasn’t going to stop, I turned my back and put my fingers in my ears. I couldn’t hear it. I knew I would never forget the sound. Instead I heard this primal wail come out of my husband and I turned begging to see Sammy on the other of that road barking hello to this lady and her dog. But he wasn’t there. Thank God for the trees that blocked my view of the side of the road. Thank God it was quick and we didn’t have to hear or see him in terrible pain and then make a decision. But at that moment I fell to my knees and let out my own primal scream. For the next weeks, we clung to each other in what I can only assume must be close to what people feel like when they lose a child. There are those that will read that comment in anger, but I can tell you Sammy made me feel more important and more loved in the two years he was with me, than the 38 years my children have been in this world. It has been hard to forgive myself for not leashing him that day. A mistake I will never make again. I feel like a part of me died that day. I hope he knows how sorry I am I didn’t protect him enough.

Jann Becker says

May 7, 2019 at 7:54 pm

When we were afraid Kira might have hemangiosarcoma it almost brought us closer as a couple; I didn’t realize how much my husband cares about her! We were both subdued with anticipatory grieving, and even though that path report was negative it made us realize that at 10, she won’t be here forever. I felt that something that would carry her off swiftly would actually be better than the lingering suffering some of our other dogs have endured. Sometimes we don’t realize till it’s over that we hung on too long. Where Willie was concerned it was obviously time, and I almost hope that that will be true for her too. On a lighter note, it’s a darn good thing they don’t shop for their own food…Porterhouse steak, with broccoli every night?

Marilyn says

May 7, 2019 at 8:26 pm

I think that at this time in history in particular, we are getting pulled away from people relationships and the companionship we have with our pets helps to fill that void. And – pets are so much easier to get along with.

May 7, 2019 at 9:46 pm

So beautifully said. I remember discussing the death of one of my dogs to cancer with a group of friends. In the course of conversation, I said, “In the beginning I thought I would not survive.” The silence that followed and looks on their faces told me they thought that was an extreme reaction, but it was honestly how I felt . I was grieving and my dear mother who had dementia was suffering Becca’s death, too, but she asked me multiple times a day where the dog was. Needing to repeat that so often deepened a grief that was already bottomless or so it seemed at the time.

Heidi Rosin says

May 8, 2019 at 5:28 am

Nailed it – as usual so I’m not surprised. How timely but since Saturday morning my higher power has been putting the right people places and things in my life to keep me and my husband going. Our Tessie girl had been in full remission from immune mediated hemolytic anemia for a year after a hard fought (for all of us physically emotionally mentally and financially) battle. We treated every day as a gift knowing it could be her last and Saturday morning – having shown no symptoms of relapse at all – going for her walk playing with Malaki eating etc – she began labored breathing at 6 and by 8:45 was gone with help from the vet to speed things along. Needless to say Jeff and I are angry and devastated – his quote as he sobbed still Sunday night – it’s like someone ripped my soul out and shot a hole through it – she was daddy’s girl and he did hang the moon for her. I am grief-stricken as well but almost more for Jeff than Tess’s passing. Fortunately when Tess’s brother Osh died last year Osh and God picked out and put Malaki in our lives. He is the child we need to keep living for and at the same time the child keeping us alive and bringing us joy when we feel as if there is none to be had. So again – you put your wisdom on the pulse of our relationship with dogs. My four-legged children (and I have no two-legged) are my tangible evidence of a higher power and I thank God for that. Thank you for posting this today – it was what I needed.

May 8, 2019 at 5:32 am

I’m so sorry Tricia. I cry tears for you and Willie every time I come back to this.

I think you have a beautiful and unique perspective on dogs as a combination of child and parent. As others have kinda mentioned, I’d add that they also have components of our spouses or life partners. As best friends, constant companions, cuddle buddies, and confidants. So in that way they embody aspects of the three dearest family members in our lives: child, parent, and life partner.

Colleen says

May 8, 2019 at 7:04 am

Great blog and insight into our deep love for dogs. I believe we can have that incredible bond with just about any species of animal because they “see” us and make us feel loved in a crazy world of demands and expectations. As a veterinarian, owner of a practice and a training center, and a mother and grandmother many times (even since childhood) I feel like people only notice me when they want something. We all sort of go through life just “doing” for each other which leaves us lacking in feeling loved and wanted simply because we exist. This is the type of love we all talk about…unconditional. Animals provide this because they “see” us. They don’t care if we play ball, go for a walk or lounge in front of the tv. They simply enjoy us for being us. This is a glimpse into the type of love God provides for us and we see it and feel it through our animals. It’s hard to ever get it from humans because of expectations, hurts, miscommunications, etc but our animals openly share it. This is why there is such a deep loss when our pet passed. It is why I absolutely believe animals are in heaven. I think God shares them on earth to show us a glimpse of what his love is like, truly unconditional. We are so privileged to share our life with every single one of them. Many days they are what keep me going because they are what give me purpose.

Christine Johnson says

May 8, 2019 at 7:45 am

You have really struck a chord here, reading through all these responses. I too have loved and lost dogs in my life, but nothing has brought home to me their unending love and devotion as my little pack of three have done when my husband recently passed away. A strong healthy man in his 60’s felled by cancer so quickly I still can hardly believe he’s gone. Without my dogs I doubt I would have survived the deep pain and loss. They are so intuitive and comfort me so well. I lost my old one, his buddy, not long after I lost him. I am certain that Mr Bee stayed around until he was sure I would be all right. He was just shy of 17. Thank you and hugs to you in your loss.

May 8, 2019 at 8:08 am

Oh Christine, I am so sorry. I think about my husband Jim dying and even just imagining it is unbearable. It astounds me really, how much pain we humans are able to fell… and then survive and even eventually thrive. I am so glad your dogs were there for you. Thanks for adding to the conversation.

May 8, 2019 at 8:13 am

Oh yes, I agree that our dogs must be in heaven with us. It amazes me that some people would think it was a place only for humans. How sad and tragic that would be.

May 8, 2019 at 8:14 am

Yes! Life partner too, you are absolutely right. That should be added to the mix. Companions, working partners for some of us… child, parent, partners. Wow, no wonder.

May 8, 2019 at 8:15 am

Oh Heidi, I am so sorry. Cyber hugs to you.

May 8, 2019 at 8:21 am

Oh god Kim, I am so sorry. I hope you can remind yourself that Sammy would forgive you in an instant. That’s part of why we love them so much, isn’t it?

May 8, 2019 at 8:43 am

My dog is the best part of my day, hands down, everyday. I took her with me to perform end of life care for my sister with ALS. After the funeral home came and removed my sister in a body bag my dog ran into the room I cared for my sister in, sniffed the bed, ran around both sides of the bed, checked the attached bathroom and closet, then came out and sat quietly by my side. Hands down, my dog is the best part of my day!

Barb Stanek says

May 8, 2019 at 11:20 am

I agree with you, Trish. I think you’re right about how dogs fill our need to nurture and be nurtured. I’ve read your post twice, wanting to add to the conversation and now knowing what exactly I want to say. But here’s a start.

As we all have, I’ve had dogs and lost dogs. I find that losing a dog is always an grief experience particular to that dog and our relationship. My last girl died a year ago in June. Yet she is with me daily and I miss her keenly. She was chronically ill for her whole life. For most of her life, the disease was under control and she lived a full, fun life.

As the human in this relationship, I do not seem to be getting less sad with time. I don’t cry as often and can now remember her with a smile. But the pain of losing this dog is still as sharp as ever and will not subside.

I don’t have an explanation for my feelings, although I’ve done my best to reason it out. Perhaps time will give me some insights. If so, I’ll send you a note.

Tamasin says

Love to you and all above. I agree that your synthesis is one of the most acute observations I’ve ever read about humans and dogs, a profound legacy of your dogs’ lives. As you dispatch this insight into the world, I hope that now and then you feel your gone-before loved dogs, and now Willie, reward your performance as they woof, “Good girl!” and send you a jackpot of licks on the breeze.

May 8, 2019 at 1:29 pm

I grew up with dogs, but the first dog I got as an adult on my own was a lovely brave little Jack Russell mix. I rescued her when I was in my early 30’s and she was with me for 12 years, 11 of which I was single and lived alone. Pure and simple, she was my family. I would have listed her as an emergency reference where required on forms if I could have.

One day I noticed her breathing heavily, and by the end of that week she had succumbed to a very aggressive cancer that had no symptoms until it spread to nearly all of her organs and caused a hole to open in her lung (which caused the labored breathing).

I learned of the cancer at the emergency vet hospital where she had to be placed in an oxygen chamber. They discovered all of the tiny tumors throughout her body via ultrasound. I had held it together those past few days, knowing it was likely a very bad situation, but when I learned the gravity of it all I (a 46 year old woman at the time) burst out crying uncontrollably and sobbed to the emergency vet “but WHO is going to take care of me now!?”

Luckily the vet was trained in emergency situations and helped me pull myself together before I visited my dear dog. Your blog is the first time I’ve read about how their unconditional love nurtures us – it is a two-way street. It is so very, very true. I always prided myself on being an independent, single woman…but I have still not recovered from losing my Mamma Lucy (as I called her) who not only loved me unconditionally, but nursed me when I was sick (she knew to roll up and warm my tummy to ease food poisoning cramps) and licked my tears away when I cried.

May 8, 2019 at 1:42 pm

Oh my did you nail it! I did not have the greatest family as a child – but my dogs always provided that unconditional love when I may have been missing it (or the feeling of it) elsewhere. The more I learn to try to understand the dogs that I work with (and my own), the more I fall in love with this species! Not only do they sit attentively when I cat spits to them, spilling my guts/frustrations/woes, etc., they do not offer unsolicited advice as many of my well-intentioned friends try to do. My dog listens, will never betray a secret, and just “is”. There is a trust in this that no human can earn in my heart. That was my experience with my “good dog” whom I just recently lost and was/am still going through the motions because he helped me heal through the experience that was just as devastating from the “troubled dog” who I worked so hard to help. Reactive, fear aggressive, misunderstood, likely terrified of anything/everything…except me. Her utter dependence on me, her “broken spirit” that she entrusted with me… She passed nearly 15 years ago but the affect she has had in my life will be with me every day.

Cathy B. says

May 8, 2019 at 4:33 pm

I am sorry for your loss and know just how painful it is. I have lost two of my three dogs in 3 years. I don’t think that time will heal these wounds ever. I have lost both my parents within 7 months and in time the pain healed, but with my dogs, it has not. I have thought about this too, why we love them so much….and I think part of it is that dogs just love, they don’t really get angry with us, they don’t mistreat us ever, lie, cheat, say negative things to us and they never want us not there with them, they are always happy to see us, they simply love us so much. My dogs favorite place to be was with me…..it is a whole different level of unconditional love….there is nothing else like it. Loving them is so easy, losing them is the hardest thing to do.

Maureen Kilgour says

May 8, 2019 at 5:50 pm

I just lost my fourth Golden Retriever, Gus da Silly Goose on 4/1/19. The air has been sucked out of my life and I am still drowning. Gus was a 17 month old rescue when we got him. He survived lymphoma for two years post chemo and a life threatening heart arrhythmia so when he got acute kidney failure we thought…”well he will beat this too.” To us surviving cancer had made him invincible. Well, kidney disease had other ideas. My poor boy got so sick and nothing I did for him worked. He would seem to climb the mountain and almost make it over and 20 minutes later he would slide back down. He was a therapy dog to mentally ill teenage girls for six years and to adults for 3. He was our companion every day for nine years, wherever we went, he went. He is irreplaceable. The black hole looms empty in front of us, yet we can’t imagine getting another dog that will mold to our lives instead of us molding to his as Gus did. You describe the connection perfectly…the fulfillment of a desire for unconditional love. Knowing that so many others understand has let a bit of oxygen into the room. I do hope that one day I won’t burst into tears at the mere mention of Gus’s name. Perhaps one day I will stop drowning in grief. I read you book The Other End of The Leash over and over, wonderful book.

May 8, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Looking forward to reading all of the comments, but I wanted to post my thoughts right away. Firstly, Good Girl Maggie! I’m so glad she’s doing well and is back to doing what she loves most. As for why we love dogs, Tricia, of course you articulated it beautifully, what they do for our brains and hearts. My thoughts are to echo that, but also add that I believe that we love them so much, because we made them. I’m, at best unimpressed, and at worst, heartbroken and disgusted by some of the terrible things humanity is capible of, and then I look at Seamus and it smacks me in the face once again, humans made him. We made him, and Maggie, and every other dog loved by every commenter on this blog. I believe it is why we are so facenated with them, why we work with them and have them in our lives. I believe we love anything we create, food, a garden, a baby, a handmade sweater or carved wooden table. Tricia, you love the photographs you take because you made them, hence, we love our dogs. Don’t get me wrong, we love cats too, but I don’t believe cats were domesticated in the same way, and you can correct me if I’m wrong on that, but there seems to be a distance there still, not the absolute closeness we share with dogs. They are our creation, from the paws up, and, like anything else that is created andloved,our heart longs only to be with the bloved forever. To get really personal, this is what inspires my belief in God. In a god who created me, and must love me infinitely more than I could ever know. The answer for me is, there must be a devine origin to this love, because where else does this joyful/painful love for all of the creatures in my life come from? Anyway, those are my thoughts. Now I have to go hug a wet dog. It’s raining here.

Allisa Whitt says

May 8, 2019 at 7:18 pm

You hit the nail on the head. We lost our Golden just last Thursday 5/02/19 after being diagnosed with a tumor 3 1/2 months prior. Billy was 9 1/2 years old. He was our baby and he was extra special. See he was our daughter Leslie’s Service Dog and Leslie passed away in 2012 at the age of 24. She had only had Billy 11 months when she passed away and then we received Billy so he was only 3 years old at the time. We took extra special care of this boy. So, when he passed it was like losing our daughter all over again. Billy helped us through the grief of losing our daughter 6 1/2 years ago and now we are grieving the loss of both of them now. I don’t know how I can keep on going my heart is shattered. Someone said you feel like dying and yes I do. I just want to be with them. I don’t think anything or anyone will ever be able to heal my heart.

May 8, 2019 at 7:37 pm

I’m skipping down without reading all the other comments, so I apologize if this point has been made already. In addition to the unconditional love dynamic, there is another dimension of our relationship with a dog: the dog will protect you. My dog loves me and I love him, and we snuggle and play and all the fun stuff, but let an unknown human or dog approach me and my dog will place himself between me and the other one. He turns his back on me and prepares to defend me at any cost. That’s not childlike behavior.

ddemos says

May 8, 2019 at 9:30 pm

I loved this piece so much because I have said it, almost verbatim, to my fellow dog lovers for years. I will say, it irks me so much when people say they hate people but love their animals, or that their dog is so much better than any person in their life.

I always say, not a fair fight…when your dog starts to give you hell for just being you and criticizes you for your perfume or your weight or your habits…then you have a fair fight.

Dogs do love us unconditionally and people do not. It’s that simple. I think it was FDR who said if you want a friend in Washinton…get a dog.

Amanda J Rawson says

May 8, 2019 at 11:18 pm

O my, this story hit home for me. I had to put my girl, Karat, to sleep nearly a year ago, and I have been overwhelmed with grief ever since. I thought I was going to die when my boy, Keeper, died in 2005, two weeks before his 7th birthday. He was my first dog as an adult and he taught me so much about living with another being, one who loved without conditions. I look back and know he was sent to prepare me for Karat, who was with me for 13 years, 2 months and 10 days (not nearly enough). I don’t have a dog to help me with the grief, but know she is still with me. A hawk confirmed my decision and a hawk came to help Karat on that day. All was perfect, though that does not take away the pain of not having her presence with me.

Marcia Hartmann says

May 9, 2019 at 3:11 am

I read your blog with tears in my eyes as you stated so many things I’ve felt in the past year. We lost the BEST dog ever last May 15–unexpectedly– and are coming up on the year anniversary of her passing. Abby had my heart and took it with her and I still am grieving to this day. I search the clouds for her and when I see a cloud that looks like a Golden Retriever mix, I have to take pictures and think it’s her, watching over me. We have since lost our beloved dachshund, Dottie, just last week. Abby was only 11 when she died so unexpectedly–had NO clue anything was wrong until she went in to cardiac arrest when my husband carried her in to the emergency clinic that night. Dottie was 15 1/2 years old and we’d expected her passing at any point. While I grieve for that little girl now, that grief is nothing like I still feel for Abby. We do have another dog, rescued after Abby’s passing, and I pray every day that I will love Ellie as much as Abby and she will love me as much as Abby did. I love dogs for all the reasons you stated in the blog and as long as I am capable of caring for one, I’ll have a dog. They are truly the best gift God could have provided for mankind. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful, truthful accounting of why we love dogs so much.

May 9, 2019 at 6:49 am

I think a reason why we love dogs so much is because they fulfill our needs and desires by becoming what we need them to be. As a species, dogs are incredibly versatile – kind of like the Swiss Army knife of the animal kingdom. They herd sheep, protect flocks, do search and rescue, assist law enforcement, retrieve game, sniff out drugs, bombs, cancer, participate in field trials, do agility … the list goes on. Obviously not all dogs are mentally or physically able to do all those things but I think it’s their desire to be near us and their willingness to learn that has gotten them where they are. As for my dog Rocky, he doesn’t do any of the things listed above. What he does is greet me at the door with rear ended swaying and tail wagging. When I leave the house he lies down near the door and quietly awaits my return. (I know this because my husband told me.) He is always at my side but is never intrusive. We go for walks together and play together. He is a member of our family and is treated with love and care. At the end of the day, we sometimes invite him up on the bed and when he curls up between us, I think how lucky we are to have this sweet amazing animal in our lives. I can’t think of any other animal that fits so seamlessly and completely into our lives as do dogs. How can we not love them?

Lesley Osborn says

May 9, 2019 at 7:45 am

I have been opening up my heart and home to senior/special needs greyhounds for 30 years. Over these vast years of love and devotion, the names and faces have changed, however, they each live on in my heart. After losing my Mom 2 years ago (and, we had shared our lives together for 40 years) I have turned to my 2 rescued and adopted Galgos Espagnol (flown here to the USA from Spain) in, especially, difficult times which I am experiencing. They are absolute evidence of the increasing documentation of the emotional well being they bring to the people – pet bond. I have loved each and every one of my dogs; their rescue into a safe and loving forever home has always been my calling as it was my late Mom’s as well. Within 6 months of her passing, I lost 5 beloved seniors. The change in the family dynamics most definitely affects our dogs (especially, I believe, if they are seniors). My dogs are what keep me moving forward, especially in my writing career.

George says

May 9, 2019 at 4:15 pm

Here some of my musing about little Tucker, equally close to my wife, who rescued him, and brought him into our household/kennel. Little Tucks and myself arose out of the same star dust… and but for my standing vertically and his walking horizontally parallel to the ground, our bodies were similarly made, mine lacking a tail. I marveled in how we were alike and different, the mix creating an entrancement and wonder and synergistic joy… We were fellow sojourners during this slice of time on the planet…his of unknown origin. We took countless journeys, neighborhood streets, parks, trails, beaches, . When on leash, there to oversee his safety… ceased to be a burden but a going forth and exploring together, he more often taking the lead and determining the extent. I delighted in watching him trot along with his muscular little legs (so his vet commented), stopping to sniff at scents along the way. I miss his simply being himself, and the enjoyment he seemed to take in all the aspects of his life; and in the connection and I-Thou relationship, whether expressed in a look, waiting at the door, nestled in my lap. My grief at his absence is as wide as the wonder of his presence.

Mary Reed says

May 9, 2019 at 5:09 pm

My deepest sympathies on your loss of Willie. I lost my first BC, my heart dog, in January of this year.

On the off chance that you are thinking about a puppy, there’s a nice litter (8 weeks old next Wednesday), of which 1 pup may still be available. Both parents have nice temperaments. The sire made it to the Canadian double lift finals last year at the age of 3, handled, but not owned, by Gordon Watt. The dam has a nice pedigree as well. Just a thought.

Terry Baer-Brooks says

May 9, 2019 at 9:33 pm

So many layers- our dogs are so many things to us. You are so right, Trish- we love them with the fiercest sense of parental protection and delight in learning about the world through their eyes when they are puppies. We settle into what I think of as the “gravy days” when they grow into adult dogs. What I mean by that is this: we get to enjoy them in their prime health, share experiences without real concerns of impending health issues hanging over our heads. We just simply love and live with our amazing four footed family members, able to delight in each day with that blissfully blindered vision that our time together will go on and on. They give us the love of a best friend as well as the love that you described as the love of the parents many of us never quite got. When they grow white in the muzzle we share their pain and frustration of being able to do less, and make whatever accommodations they need to be comfortable and happy. We love our dogs so very much and for so many reasons. How can we not? Our lives together are a tightly woven tapestry. Each day a thread. They are with us every day, often more than anyone else in our lives. And when they are gone, when they die, we don’t simply feel grief. We have to try and learn how to re-navigate our days, our world without these amazing beings who have become so integral to every part of our lives. They see us at our worst, at our best, and everything in between. And they love us, they trust us through it all. We get to love them without the weights and expectations that can impact our other, human relationships. There truly can be a genuiness, a purity to our love with our dogs. They are our friends, our kids, our parents, they are our dogs. Thank you for sharing your grief and your tapestry with all of us. I am certain that as much as you love Willie, he felt the same, if not more. I am so very sorry for your immense loss.

Karen from Oregon says

May 10, 2019 at 5:28 pm

Aww, I’m so glad Maggie is doing fine!

I had a tough childhood but I’m grateful my parents let us have pets. They filled a love void in my life and that love void has continued thru life after 2 failed marriages. I’ve only had a dog or 2 (or 3) since 2001 and there’s no love on earth greater! My 2nd dog was named Silly Willy Billy but because my teenage son’s name was Will, we changed it to Dillon. He also had issues, having been abused as a pup. I somewhat managed it until he was about 8 and then nothing was working anymore so I made the difficult decision to put him down. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I left him that last time at the vet. I so loved that little guy but he bit everyone except for me. After your Willie died I bought your book about him. I’ve been reading several chapters nightly and it’s quite absorbing. What a blessing that Willie and his trials helped you come to terms with stuff from your past. Someday I will read all of your books…I always learn so much from them! Blessings to you in your healing from your great loss.

Cheryl says

May 11, 2019 at 9:53 am

I don’t know why dogs (horses, cats, etc.) mean so much to us, and I don’t care. I only know they do, and some things can’t be fully or accurately explained or understood. Because I’m old, I’ve had many, many dogs share my life. (I’ve always made it a policy to have multiples) My most recent loss was just two weeks ago and while I was deeply saddened, it didn’t gut me on the same level as some of my other losses have. And that was no fault of hers (she was truly a heart dog!), but simply because she lived a long, full life and I got to choose the right time to let her go. Those I’ve lost suddenly, at a young age, or due to unexplained (medical) circumstances have probably grieved me more. So many “what ifs” that must go unanswered. But I grew up on a farm where I got lots of opportunity to learn the cold hard facts about letting go. So I try to stay in the moment from pretty early-on, because I recognize that we all come with an expiration date and the best I can hope for is a long happy life, lots of great memories and (if I’m lucky), a beautiful day to die. I will also add that I think it gets harder as we age. We know we have limited time and energy to start all over again and that’s a bitter pill to swallow. For the first time in my life I do the math now, before jumping into another commitment. It’s the responsible thing to do, but I know that day is coming when I’ll have to stop raising pups from scratch. So perhaps the realization of our own mortality is part of why it hits home so hard as we age? I do remember the shock of my father saying he was done and wouldn’t get another dog after his last one died. When I asked why, he simply said, “The older I get the harder it is to let them go.” I was stunned by this old, hardened country doctor/farmers words. Ah, the luxury of being a naive youngster. I’m nearly the age he was when he said that and sadly, I understand his sentiments now.

Bren Axon says

May 11, 2019 at 11:37 am

I believe you have gotten the explanation just right. Those who are not animal lovers find our grief incomprehensible and in a way, it often makes me feel sad for them because they miss the joy that a dog can bring us. I’ve lost many dogs in my adult life (I was never allowed a dog as a child, only cats). I can say that the grief for me at losing a dog has been far worse than losing a cat.

The last dog I lost, in 2011, my first ever Leonberger, (who was a rehome at 11 months) well, I thought I would never recover from the grief. The grief was overwhelming and debilitating and I cried every day. I absolutely yearned for him with every beat of my heart. I fell into a very deep depression that lasted the best part of a year or more after his death. Eventually we put ourselves on a breeder wait list for another Leo and had to wait 18 months for a pup. In the meantime, as someone who boards dogs (as well as being a trainer), I was boarding different Leonbergers who belonged to friends. Some might think that was a comfort (my husband appeared to think so) but it was actually torture for me.

When our puppy finally came home with us, I had great trouble bonding with her. I thought it would be a joyful occasion and I would be overwhelmed with love for this little Leo pup. But I felt not much at all which scared me. I did everything I should do for her, but the emotion was not there. Looking back I think I felt it might be betraying my bond with my departed dog if I loved another. It took 3 weeks for me to finally feel that I was bonding with Juno. She’s now just turned 6. She and I have an incredibly strong bond that I believe surpasses any I’ve previously had with a dog. I love her with a passion and I believe it’s reciprocated in the way she is with me. When Juno was 1 yr we acquired a 2 yr old Leo as company for her. My bond with that second dog is not the same even though its been five years.

The worst thing is that Juno is suffering from cancer. She has had treatment and chemo but we know it’s not a cure. She’s in remission right now but that could change at any time. I am faced with the fact that she will most likely not live to a ripe old age as our first Leo did. I don’t even know if she will be with me this time next year. I try not to think about the future, but I am not sure how I am going to face losing this most precious being before she’s old and has lived a long life. I think the grief is going to be unmanageable.

Kirsten says

May 11, 2019 at 8:34 pm

Thank you for your insights: the parent/child metaphor is powerful. I am very sorry for your loss. Tsunami is such an accurate word to describe the grief process. I lost my Heart and Soul (WolfCub) late 2017. Like you, I knew it was going to be dreadful. But it has been so much worse. He was/is my second skin. He is the reason I became a dog trainer and a photographer – he is intimately entwined with my identity. It has been hard to find ‘me’ without him. He led me from the dark to the light. I grieve hard for him, knowing there is no timeline for grief. I have explored and found great comfort in a spiritual connection with him. He visits me in dreams. I stand before his picture every morning and say “I carry your heart in my heart, I carry your heart” (thanks e e cummings). I feel him with me many times. And yes, I miss his physical presence, like air itself. I am so grateful for my other two Belgians, Phoenix and Boo. The love they give nourishes and keeps me going. I simply cannot imagine life without dogs.

Monica says

May 12, 2019 at 6:52 pm

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, and to Trisha for her eloquent teachings. I lost my Niko on April 24. He was my heart dog, and nothing feels right anymore. He was quite a challenging dog — a rescue Shiba Inu — and I would not have had him any other way. He was a bright rare spirit.

Louise says

May 13, 2019 at 2:16 am

Like some of the other commenters I am childless by choice. I never wanted kids, but always wanted dogs :).

I grew up with an amazing GSD cross, we got her from the SPCA when i was 10 and i never thought it was possible to love that much. Then I went off to Uni and my brothers before me and she stayed with my folks and we came back from holidays and loved her….but never thought about how hard it must have been for her. Or regretted leaving for our exciting lives. The egocentric-ness of youth. she died when i was 21 and of course we were all there for her crossing, it could not have been any other way for me. And more than 20yrs later I still tear up thinking of her. She was so badly abused before us (as a puppy, unbelievably, beaten and whipped by her drug addict owner, in retrospect suffering terrible fear aggression and our family, so naive taking a fearful dog home with three young teens) yet she never showed us anything but intelligence, love and desperate wanting to do please us. I have regrets that we didn’t know more then about how to make her life better, what we might have done better. But we were kids and my folks didn’t know better. I guess nobody really did. Certainly NZ had obedience classes then, but not dog behaviourists.

I got my first “own” dog in my late 30s. As a complete commitment phobic it took me this long to buy a house (and in New Zealand its hard to have dogs if you rent) and I still refer to it as Millie’s house 6 years later – because its all for her. In contrast to my first dog the love i have for this one is an adult love, the love of giving more than taking. (Not that we didn’t “give” my first dog a lot but it was different.) Mills is nearly 8 now and whenever it occurs to me I wonder how I will deal with losing her when it happens, though it could (hopefully) be many years away. We spend every day together (I work from home) and have for 6 years. We walk every day and swim regularly. I ride my mountain bike with her while she chases rabbits. She comes on holidays in my van for hiking or riding. We snuggle on the couch and play silly games with soft toys. I have a partner but its the loss of this girl that will break me.

May 13, 2019 at 6:10 pm

In addition to all the other great comments people have made, I’d like to add one: For all the dogs I’ve had in my life, they are the beings I can be “me” with. They don’t know – and don’t care – that I say a bad word occasionally; I don’t have to be politically correct when I talk to them; and most importantly, when I make a little mistake in cueing a behavior or timing of a reward / reinforcement for a skill / behavior well done, they tell me in all their wonderful ways, “It’s okay, Mom, you’ll do better next time.”

Catherine A Holmes says

May 16, 2019 at 6:01 pm

It’s their innocence. Dogs completely lack guile, defensiveness or excuses. When they make a mistake, they lovingly stare at us with their big innocent eyes and our hearts melt. We love them so much because they communicate, not with words or intelligence but with their love.

May 18, 2019 at 7:09 am

Thank you, Trisha, for such a lovely piece and tribute to Willie. Your writing and photographs are quite moving. It has brought up memories of all the “why” I loved my Lola. I think it is good for me to be dwelling in the good memories of my perfect dog. I want to share a few of them here.

Lola liked to help make the bed. Since she was a little bigger than my hand, she quickly understood the rhythm and pattern of my making my bed. She would want to get up on the bed to help. How she would help is to get up and walk to the other side of the bed at each stage of the process. She was never “trained” to do this, she just took it upon herself to be part of this chore. Fitted sheet tucked on one side, then walk over so the other side could be tucked. Then the same for the flat sheet, and again for the blanket. She kept her eyes on me to be alert for the next move. She didn’t like to be under the covers, and calmly walked out if she happened to get under during our routine. I can’t imagine I’ll make the bed again without thinking of her.

Lola was so incredibly patient. She waited for me until I was ready. I seemed to take a long time getting out of the house in the morning. I knew she should go out when we got up although she had a bladder that would hold seemingly forever. I would be stalling if it was cold out, drink my coffee, then I’d bundle up with coats and boots and gloves…. then bumbling around for her coat and her leash and poop bags and my keys. I would finally get her out and she would take 3-5 minutes to relieve herself still.

Once when Lola was probably 10 years old, she had a stomach bug or something and I came home from work to find that she had pooped in the tub! One other time in her life she had diarrhea, and didn’t make it into the tub, but did go on the linoleum floor in the bathroom, avoiding the rest of my carpeted apartment. Genius!

Lola would let me put t shirts and coats on her and Halloween costumes too. Her attitude seemed to be “If you must….” She never fought me, she just let it happen.

Lola never seemed to cry or bark or be insistent unless she needed something. My husband took a while understanding that she was not just being annoying…. Every time I thought she was annoying I later realized that she needed something, whether it was to go out, or to fill her water bowl, or to get a single piece of kibble that she realized had rolled under a chair a month ago and needed to be found and eaten in this moment. She was proud to point out this missing prize!

Lola had a guilty pleasure of pleasing herself with a pillow. If she was left alone with one, we would frequently catch her. We were once watching TV with the dogs in the living room and she simply got up and walked into the dark bedroom. I got up and went to see what she was doing….only to find her…. It always made me laugh. Lola never tried to do the same with any animals or human legs though.

Lola had an amazing sense of both direction and the 1/2 way point of a walking loop. For instance, when she wanted a “full” around the neighborhood walk, she wouldn’t poop until she was at the 1/2 way mark and no sooner. If we were on a hike in the woods, she would dawdle until the 1/2 way mark, and then would pick up the pace and high step it the rest of the way. If there were forks in the road on the way to our car, she always picked the right path (even when we were not so sure!)

Lola wasn’t too picky about eating. When she was young I made a game out of dinner otherwise she just wasn’t eating…. I would throw kibble to her and she loved to fetch it. At the end of her life she also liked that game. But then I was trying to slow her down as she was chowing too fast due to prednisone. She had her preferences- she loved frozen french fries, but not frozen sweet potato fries. She loved the smell of tomatoes and would be very excited if I was cutting them, but she didn’t like to eat them! She did like tomato sauce though and loved to lick my bowl and get it all over the white hair on her face. When I changed to a vegan diet, she didn’t seem to mind at all. She was just as thrilled to be given a brussel sprout as she had a small bite of steak. She also loved uncooked spaghetti! She liked cooked spaghetti too and volunteered to check the doneness when needed.

She loved to tease her “brother” Cooper. They enjoyed chewing on rawhide and never had any problems associated with them. They were like a pacifier. Both dogs would get a “bone” after dinner and would be enjoying them when Lola would jump toward the sliding glass doors and bark (as if to say, “Hey Cooper, look at those people walking by…. I saw them first!”) Cooper, then would get up to bark at the door and when he did, Lola would run to his rawhide so she had two! What a rascal.

Cooper taught her the fun of hunting. Unfortunately she and her brother did once get a chip monk that was trapped in a log when they were off leash. Once, she also got a little bird. That made us sad. She once had her paw on a chip monk that ran from under an air conditioner condenser. The rest of the time she just seemed quite amused and intensely excited to listen to an animal that was hiding in the rocks or in a drain pipe.

For the most part, Lola was a dog that acted a lot like a cat. She was a bit aloof and independent, but in a good way. She always slept in my bed- at my feet. She didn’t want to be close when it was bedtime. If we were in bed and she was up near my side or head, I knew something was up- like she needed to go out or she didn’t feel well for some other reason and I knew I had to figure it out. Sometimes she would wake me in the middle of the night by readjusting herself and curling up near my feet, then walking on my legs to curl up on the other side…. again signaling me that she needed something. This was really an infrequent thing, so I knew. Before my husband realized that I was so in tune with her, he thought I was being too lenient as though she was misbehaving. He did come to realize that Lola was trying to communicate what she needed.

She was up for a walk, a hike, a car ride or just vegging in bed or hanging out while I worked on my computer. Early in the morning she seemed to think I was nuts for being up, and would find a dark place to catch some extra sleep. She did great when I wasn’t home and never seemed panicked when I returned. Her greeting was a simple wag as to say “Oh your home! Welcome :)”

She was a peaceful, delightful, lovely being. I am so grateful. I miss her and can’t yet bring myself to empty her water bowl and take up her placemat or chew sticks.

May 20, 2019 at 2:15 pm

Thank you Trisha, I love this so much. Also all the comments, and stories about everyone’s wonderful dogs! Such up-lifting reading while looking after my 2 oldies Echo & Sam…. sad, happy, funny bits and all! Inspiring.

Ginny in WI says

May 22, 2019 at 7:36 pm

I cried buckets reading this and so many equally beautiful comments. Tears of sadness yes, but also from feeling so filled up with the joy and wonder of sharing this incredble bond with another being that I felt like my heart would burst if I didn’t let some of it out.

Child, parent, life partner, best friend–a relationship formed from the best parts of all of these, but “devoid of the baggage that weighs on our human relationships like an anchor”, as you so eloquently wrote. No wonder we fall madly, deeply, dangerously in love with our dogs.

I’m late in offering my condolences in the loss of your dear Willie. I have also experienced that kind of grief, and am very sorry for your pain. And for Jim’s, Maggie’s and whoever else knew and loved and misses your Willie Boy.

For whatever it’s worth, I truly believe that you have done more to help dogs and the people who love them than any other individual in the world of animal behavior. You have such a gift for getting the message out in ways that reach both our hearts and our brains, be it through your books, blog, lectures–going all the way back to the days of the old Calling All Pets radio and TV shows and individual client consultations. I personally went from prong collars and the Monks of New Skete to force-free training. (Of course I regret the former but as Maya Angelou said “…when you know better, do better.”) You, and a series of trainers you trained (thinking most fondly of Chelse here), taught me to know and do better.

We were lucky enough indeed to have had you come to our home to teach us how to turn our dog Lobo into someone we could live with. Lobo was a strikingly handsome long haired GSD, who was already a challenge at 7 mos. and 75 lbs. when we adopted him from the DCHS. As a 100 lb. adult, he was a whirlwind who knocked over furniture and dragged me down the block on “walks”. I feared we’d made a very big mistake. You explained to us that he was a working breed who needed a job and Lobo’s job turned out to be fetching. So long as he got at least 30 minutes a day of chasing after some thrown object, he was a sweet natured goofball who regularly entertained–and only occasionally frustrated–us with his antics. I’m happy to say that he had a long and happy life with us and eventually matured to the point that a vet actually exclaimed, “He’s such a gentleman!”

My deepest gratitude for all you’ve done for dogs and the people who are gobsmacked in love with them.

Merry Guernsey says

June 9, 2019 at 6:10 pm

Thank you very much for both the article and everyone’ comments. We just love our doggies to the core of our being, and they do the same. Just pure 100% emotional connection with no strings attached.

July 11, 2019 at 7:32 pm

These petique creatures give so much meaning to our lives. This article really brings us back to our humanity. It makes us reflect deep into our core until we realize how much we care for our petique fur babies 🙂

August 17, 2019 at 5:33 am

I was thinking just recently that my dog who is not long off leaving, has taught me about caring for another unconditionally. I don’t have children, but I needed to learn this lesson. My other alpha boy has taught me about being a leader and leadership even if I don’t feel like it. Or want it. They have also taught me the most about speaking dog when all of us are on the floor playing. They are patient teachers.

They are complicated relationships because they are are deeply felt, closely held, primary in their intimacy.

Treasured and at the moment, I so want to wind back time but I can’t.

athea marcos amir says

October 6, 2019 at 5:37 pm

Although most of my friends and some of my own children are animal lovers, to be 100% honest, I believe it’s an illness. Some, of course, are sicker than others. I would never harm an animal, but if they were all swept away in a plague I’d rejoice. The smell alone is bad enough, but the barking, slobbering, feces-eating, butt-sniffing, etc., really makes me wonder if I’m living in a huge insane asylum where the inmates find the aforementioned behavior cute and charming. Sorry, folks, but I don’t get it and probably never will.

October 7, 2019 at 7:34 am

Oh my. I am so sad for you. (And I can’t but help thinking about how messy, noisy and annoying children can be, and yet, it’s a rare person who doesn’t think that they are worth it.)

Brittney Peterson says

January 14, 2020 at 3:20 pm

My precious dog means the world to me. EVERYTHING said in this article is the TRUTH. Mowgli is the BEST thing EVER given to me. He’s a havanese that is extremely smart. It’s scary how smart he is. I love how he lets me know that I am loved. He knows if I’m not well. 💛

Bonnie Holman says

January 23, 2020 at 9:51 pm

Two days ago, I put a piece of my heart on a vet’s table & watched her cross over the Rainbow Bridge. I adopted Pippa, a small buff Pekingese, from the Humane Society. She saved me from an abusive divorce – much more so than I saved her. Everyone who met her told me they had never met a more well behaved dog – and had never seen a dog more devoted to her person. She was always waiting for me at the back door – smiling at me, then twirling in excitement that we were together again. Pippa, I love you more than words can describe. Pippa , heaven won’t be heaven for me if you aren’t waiting at the door…getting ready to twirl for me when we are together again.

January 24, 2020 at 5:13 am

She’ll be there Bonnie, twirling and twirling and twirling.

Ricky Lyn Mohl Sr says

March 1, 2020 at 1:49 am

I just recently had to let my sweet girl go. I thought she would be with us…if not forever…then longer than eleven years anyway. Sadly it was not to be. As a poet I wrote her a goodbye poem, with the thought that it would help with my grief….it didn’t. If anything, it made it worse. I have cried every day since her passing…and that was tough enough in itself…the visit to the Vet and all that went with it. Anyway the tears are down to two or three times a day instead of the eight or nine that it was in the beginning…so I suppose I am healing….although it sure doesn’t feel as if I am. If I may, I would like to share the poem I wrote for her….we called her Darby

Good Things True

It was eleven springs ago and there you were, Four legs, two eyes and a tail wagging of fur. Just so little and I could hold you in my arms, It didn’t take long for you to steal my charms.

The years came and went, one after another, I soothed your fears of the wind and thunder. Took you on walks, a favorite part of the day, A roll in the grass to savor the sunlight’s ray.

But all too soon there was grey in your chin, The gait slowed up and the pain would begin. All the comfort we could give, ease and care, Was part of the agreement in a love of share.

I look for you, but you’re not there anymore, You were always near me, lying on the floor. But when I turn to look, just to see your face, One moment there, then gone without a trace.

Snacking late at night just won’t be the same, Without you there to make me feel the shame. I toss you a morsel and you catch it on the fly, Easier to swallow the guilt between you and I.

The wind was strong today, it called your name, In a whisper breath it spoke mine just the same. Intertwining and interlocking the trees in the air, Rest your fear sweet girl, it can no longer scare.

Take me back to a life when I once knew you, Filled with love and trust and good things true. Perhaps in my dreams there exists such a place, Into a delightful sleep where I can see your face.

Ricky L. Mohl Sr. February 19, 2020

Terry Reardon says

March 1, 2020 at 2:14 pm

I’ve always asked myself that question. “Why do I love my dog soo much?”. I’m on my 3rd dog now, after my first dog, (Ceaser) I promised myself I’d never put myself through that kind of grief again. I got my 2nd dog (Tanna) and said the same thing, now I”m on my 3rd dog. (Sarge) I know what awaits, I’ll never be ready for it, but my emotions will be and I’ll shed my tears over your body and feel loved, always loved. An unconditional love like no other….

Dog spelt backwards (God).

Quote From Will Rogers

“If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

Michelle Marie Finley says

January 1, 2021 at 12:34 am

It was the worst thing ever it was like you said the oxygen was taken from the air and you couldn’t breathe it is like losing your child I still feel like this it’s been 1 month but it keeps playing over and over again and again I could write a book of emotions with this its awful I’ve had to see my 2 fur babies die and I cant go through this again I cant handle it physically So much I could say the worst thing I have ever felt

January 1, 2021 at 2:09 pm

So so sorry Michelle. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

March 12, 2021 at 3:44 am

That’s such an emotional post. I brought tears to my eyes, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your post made me remind that how much I love blue nose pitbull. He is such a darling. I can never imagine of losing him.

May 25, 2021 at 8:02 pm

My husband passed away and I was very lonely so I checked out dog rescues and found a perfect companion in a dog! Hes so wonderful and I have to say that he loves me like I’ve never been loved before! And I love him like I would a child. We go on adventures together, we play together and he sleeps beside me every night. I plan every day according to what would make him happy and most comfortable weather wise. He has gotten me through one of the most trying times in my life. Dogs are there for us, always, and they love us unconditionally. I think he rescued me more so than I rescued him.

Ed Acker says

January 18, 2022 at 10:41 am

I think that it’s the part of us that hasn’t been co-opted by materialism and ego that connects spiritually with animals.

Jessica Heller says

September 12, 2023 at 12:34 pm

As I am typing, our almost two-year-old rescue Aussie is looking at me adoringly. He has been a total handful. He was abandoned somewhere in the hills of Oakland, was so anxious, that he couldn’t hack shelter life, and went straight to foster. We couldn’t even touch him for the first few days. He is working through some major reactivity. I had no idea this was even a thing. To top it off, I didn’t even want a dog, but as I sat here this morning looking at him, I found myself wondering, if I didn’t even want you, why do I love you so much? Why was I so convinced that you were meant to be our dog despite the fosters being extra reassuring that we could bring you back? I stumbled across your blog, and I found a little bit of sense if you will. Thank you for that! We have a long road ahead, fingers crossed that this love will help us both live happy, adventurous lives!

September 13, 2023 at 12:28 pm

Jessica, we are all rooting for you! Congratulations on this courageous decision. All paws crossed.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Price of Perky Boobs

A close up image of a naked stomach and bottom of the breasts

“Look at my boobs and tell me what you think.”

I’m a 20-year-old retail assistant, beseeching an older colleague and close friend, to evaluate my bare breasts in the backroom after hours. Unbuckling my bra, I stand before her, totally exposed. “What are you talking about?” She responds. “They’re fine!” After years of self-critiquing, I wasn’t convinced.

While the perceived ‘perfect’ size of breasts have fluctuated with time, breasts have always been beholden to one immovable standard: perky. Those with breasts that align with this archetype may consider their boobs a source of #freethenipple empowerment. Other women feel a kind of wearied distaste for their tatas; forgoing a bra is inconceivable, and god forbid they go on top. Some have embraced a kind of ‘it-is-what-it-is’ booby ambivalence.

I spent several college summers fitting bras at a contemporary lingerie chain—measuring breasts, buckling brassieres and at times, literally lifting flesh into cups—so I have met all these women. I have been them, too. When the pandemic found me in my mid-20s – prompting a massive lifestyle shift and a discovery of disordered eating. I’d moved to the west coast and, without daily walking around New York City, took up running and downloaded Noom, a calorie counter app that promptly capped my daily intake at 1200 calories. (Editor’s note: Research has shown that calorie tracking, including with apps, may contribute to eating disorders.) Within three months, my breasts descended four bra sizes, taking my nipples with them. With that, my boobs entered their new, deflated era, and for the first time, I felt incentivized to confront the issue.

I was not the only one to recently research breast lifts —the number of people searching for them peaked during summer 2021, and has continued to spike each summer since, according to Google Trends. It’s coincided with the arrival of Ozempic , forcing women—and myself—into the same societally-constructed conundrum. Weight loss? We like it. Small, saggy breasts caused by weight loss? Unacceptable. From 2019 to 2023, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says there was a 30 percent increase in requests for breast lifts (mastopexies)—placing the procedure in direct competition with its more popular sister: implants. “I want my titties pinned back to my shoulders, right where they used to be,” Rihanna revealed in last month’s issue of Interview . “I don’t want implants. I just want a lift.”

New York-based board-certified plastic surgeon Norman Rowe has made his name on the Upper East Side and beyond as a breast expert. In the past year, his requests for lifts have almost tripled—an exponential increase that he says is a result of rampant semaglutide use."

“I get a lot of women who've lost a substantial amount of weight, especially with Ozempic ,” he says. “The more weight someone loses—and the quicker they lose it—the more impact that has on the skin. Body procedures are just going through the roof, 30 percent of our business is now dedicated to face, breast and back lifts.”

When I first consulted with Dr. Rowe for a breast lift , he sketched the anchor-like incision required. He would cut around the areola, down the center of the breast, removing excess skin and raising the nipple so it no longer faces down. This would not create cleavage or add fullness. For that, he emphasized, you need an implant.

“A lift will take care of the sag in the skin, it will take care of the position of the nipple, but it will not address the volume loss of the upper poles of cleavage,” he says. (“Upper poles” is how plastic surgeons refer to the breast tissue above the nipple.) Patients often come in without realizing the limitation of a breast lift, says Dr. Rowe. “There is a misconception among patients of what a lift is. So I figured out the way to ask if they wanted an augmentation or a lift was, ‘Do you want cleavage ?’ Either you want to get bigger and your cleavage to change, or you want to be the same size but get rid of the droopiness.”

I fit into the latter group, or so I thought. Anyone who remembers the 90s will also remember that buxom beauties were not only abundant but considered femininity made manifest. Even if you joined in on the bimbo jokes that shamed the cosmetically enhanced likes of Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, their perfectly rounded, perky breasts were still taped to the bedroom walls of your school crush. Anything less than a squeeze-worthy palmful, anything that succumbed to gravity, would be passed over by Playboy editors—relegated instead to the readership of National Geographic.

In the weeks leading up to my surgery, I would debate the pros and cons of implants over and over again. Like Dr. Rowe, I was struggling to understand my expectations. Due to their generally higher placement, my nipples would be raised only an inch. With the removal of skin, my 34D boobs would likely decrease by a half or a whole cup size. Was it worth going through all of this, just for slightly smaller tits with slightly higher nipples? Would I be satisfied with, well, a slight difference?

Each Zodiac Sign's Unique Personality Traits

This was also plaguing Dr. Rowe, who responded to my initial consultation with multiple surgical plans. “One of the key things that I try to ascertain when I'm examining a patient: what are their true expectations and, more importantly, are they realistic for the patient?”

When Dr. Rowe first opened his private practice in 2004, he was routinely implanting 500 and 600cc implants—for reference, one cup size is around 250cc. With larger implants dropping faster, creating sagging, he says women have trended smaller in the last five years. Fat transfer enhancements, popular among those seeking natural-looking breasts, can calcify into hard lumps and be mistaken for cancer during mammography—resulting in additional surgery. The complications and shelf lives associated with implants have also become more well-known : follow-up implant removal or replacement surgeries after 10 years or sooner, and ruptured implants need to be replaced in up to 17.7% percent of patients after 6 or 10 years (the rupture rate after revision augmentation is between 2.9% and 14.7%). Breast implant illness is a controversial topic—it’s a term patients came up with, rather than a medical diagnosis; there’s a lack of data on the topic; and no real agreement about what the symptoms are, though patients tend to name hard-to-track ones, like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, rash, memory loss—but the FDA and many doctors agree there’s still much to learn, Grant Stevens, the president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and a clinical professor of plastic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, previously told to Allure .

Still, the promise of built-in cleavage was tempting. I wanted to go braless without insecurity. Wear plunging dresses without experimenting with endless sticky cutlets. I didn’t want to tug up my breasts in tight tops. At the same time, I didn’t want to go bigger, and I didn’t want to possibly undergo multiple surgeries on my breasts as I aged. My heart just wasn’t in the implants.

“Whereas I used to do a lot of breast implant mastopexies—where you put in the implants at the same time—today, I'm probably doing a larger number of mastopexies [breast lifts] alone,” he says.

Post-consultation, the options Dr. Rowe offered me were a mastopexy with a small implant or a mastopexy with an internal bra. The internal bra is a lesser-known procedure that originated in the ‘80s, reaching wider awareness more recently, Rowe says, with the help of a rebrand and big marketing push . Originally, the internal bra was a kind of cone shape (picture Madonna) created from a Gore-tex mesh. Over time, there were claims the mesh may have been obscuring mammography, and insurance companies began rejecting claims for mammograms if the patient had an internal bra. That’s where Galaflex came in. A new internal bra material first implemented around 2016, it’s best described as an absorbable mesh sewn into the chest wall.

“Think of it as a hammock,” says Dr. Rowe. “It goes underneath the implant [around existing breast tissue] and keeps it from descending over time. You don't need a full cone because you’re not pulling anything up—but you are protecting the implant from moving down after two years. You have your own sling.”

A lot of breast surgeries rely on skin to hold up an implant or (in the case of a lift-only) breast tissue, Dr. Rowe explained to me, but skin is not capable of bearing weight. Someone who has skin that has been stretched from rapid weight loss is a perfect candidate for an internal bra because that stretching of the skin weakens the layer of collagen that’s usually a built-in structure to prevent descent. But after Galaflex dissolves, in about 1-2 years, “it gets replaced by collagen — which would not have been there otherwise,” says Dr. Rowe, an assessment validated by studies published in the journals Aesthetic Surgery ( in 2022 and 2016) and Plastic and Aesthetic Research . “While the internal bra itself is gone, its impact remains.”

This was enough to convince me to get an internal bra, which starts at $10,000 at Dr. Rowe's practice, making the cost of a breast lift with an internal bra $40,000 and up. While I was assured the results of an internal bra are not permanent—Dr. Rowe said I could expect them to last for at least 10 years—it does make it less likely for the breasts to droop over time. And an internal bra is less likely to interfere with breastfeeding—something that may or may not be in my future—than an implant.

My surgery took around an hour and a half. I was in the clinic by 7:30am, put under general anesthesia, and awake around 11:30am. During the procedure, Dr. Rowe removed excess skin and sewed the gauze to my ribcage, reshaping the remaining skin and tissue to lift my breasts and nipples while reducing the size of my areolas. I was back to my hotel room in a surgical bra by noon. Recovery requires you to wear a surgical bra, day and night, for at least a month — eventually downgrading to a sports bra until around six weeks. A surgical bra is a wireless bralette that closes at the front (so you don’t have to stretch your arms back), and feels very lightweight but also extremely tight. The compression helps with the swelling but also keeps the breasts in their proper place as they heal. I was unable to sleep on my side for around 10 days, and there’s no lifting more than 10 pounds, or working out other than walking, for three weeks. Following that, scar tape or gel on the sutured areas (around the areola, down and under the breast) is an everyday essential for a year.

Image may contain Person Skin Body Part and Shoulder

This dress was impossible for me to wear without a bra before, now they sit perfectly without any support.

The first several days require heavy reliance on another person. For the first 48 hours, my boyfriend lifted and lowered me into bed, dressed me, and brushed my hair and teeth because I couldn’t raise my arms. I was encouraged to walk the next day, and allowed to fly or drive if necessary on the second (I’d traveled to New York City for the surgery, and had booked my flight back home two days later). I had full mobility again by day three or four, but the discomfort should also not be underestimated—specifically with the internal bra. I felt a constant pang and tugging pain on my ribcage that affected even the most basic activities (like lifting groceries or shaving my legs) for the first several weeks.

For the first 24 hours, I was in so much pain that I cried all the way through my post-op appointment the next morning. In the first 24 hours, I was taking a low-dose prescription opiate by itself, which wasn’t enough pain medication, so Dr. Rowe recommended I take it in conjunction with Extra Strength Tylenol. (He compared Tylenol to the main meal, while Oxycodone and Tramadol were a kind of ‘chaser’—supplementing the OTC medication should I need something stronger.) Through my tears, I revealed my new, bruised breasts to Dr. Rowe. Upon inspecting his work, the surgeon concluded he was “very happy” with the results.

“You're trying to make their soul better,” he explains of cosmetic surgery. “While I'm not taking out their appendix, when a patient sees themselves as having a flaw–rightfully so or not–you're trying to correct it. And sometimes to them, it's life and death. Honestly, down deep, I'm a fixer. Seeing a problem and getting a solution, a good solution, it's gratifying.”

I didn’t look at my breasts for the first week—a mostly unconscious choice. For as long as I remember, I have avoided looking at my breasts entirely. Even before my weight loss changed their appearance significantly I always felt unsatisfied with them on a bad day, or ambivalent at best. Eight days after surgery, I unzipped my surgical bra and inspected the result for the first time. Dr. Rowe had reduced the size of my areolas, raised the nipples, and rounded my breasts into two symmetrical mounds. The anchor-shaped incision was sutured with almost invisible stitches. I was looking at boobs I had only seen on screen, or on my most genetically-blessed friends.

I turn away from the mirror. The change might seem slight to some, but to me, mastopexy had made a world of difference. “Tell me what you think,” I say to my boyfriend. “They’re perfect,” he responds. This time, I believed the beholder.

To read more about plastic surgery:

Breast Lifts Are on the Way Up
13 People Get Real About Their Facelifts
I’m 96 and I’ve Had 3 Facelifts — Here’s What I Learned

Now watch Brooke Shields' 10 Minute Beauty Routine:

Allure Daily Beauty Blast

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Allure. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Dreaming of Paris? These French beauty products will take you there, starting at $10

Share this —

Watch Full Episodes
Read With Jenna
Inspirational
Relationships
TODAY Table
Newsletters
Start TODAY
Shop TODAY Awards
Citi Concert Series
Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

On The Show
TODAY Plaza

Like Colin Farrell, I have a son with Angelman syndrome. What I wish I'd known

It wasn’t long after our son Theodore was born that my husband, Daniel, and I noticed how incredibly happy he was. As in “ Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof ” kind of happy. He barely cried, or made much noise at all, and his general disposition was one of extreme glee day in and day out. We rarely saw any sort of sour expression on his little face, even when he was hungry, feeling unwell or needing a diaper change.

My husband and I thought for sure we’d won the lottery by having the world’s happiest baby. Theo’s high-watt smile was so arresting that it would stop strangers in their tracks. We were thrilled that our child had a magical quality to him, especially one that brought people together in a positive way. Little did we know that his extreme exuberance was an indicator of something much more serious.

We thought we'd won the lottery with Theo ... and we weren't wrong, but it didn't look like we expected.

Shortly after his first birthday, we received the diagnosis that would change our lives forever: Theodore tested positive for a rare neurogenetic disorder called Angelman syndrome . AS is a random, equal-opportunity syndrome that affects approximately 1 in 15,000 people, and presents itself primarily as extreme neurologic impairment. AS affects both sexes and all races equally.

Colin Farrell is also an Angelman parent, and the actor recently started a foundation in honor of his son James, who turns 21 in September.

James “has worked so hard all his life, so hard,” Farrell told People . “Repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I’m proud of him every day, because I just think he’s magic.”

What is Angelman syndrome?

While the brains of children with AS are completely normal and anatomically correct, a genetic microdeletion on the 15th chromosome causes massive global delays, including debilitating seizures, mobile and motor affliction, loss of functional speech, dyspraxia — a developmental motor coordination disorder — and apraxia, or the inability to perform purposive actions.

Many children with Angelman syndrome, like Theo, exude love. They also have serious developmental delays.

AS is often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism . Interestingly, Angelman kids are generally very social, and often seem possessed of a happy disposition. They exude love, and, in Theo’s case, dole out hugs and kisses regularly. As many who have met him know, my son is loves making friends and sharing his affection.

I do think that the silver lining is his ability to be happy despite the immense challenges he faces. Theo has suffered his share of seizures, is not capable of basic functional speech and just started walking at 3.5 years old. He’s on a special diet to control seizures, and takes medication daily. He barely slept for the first three years of his life and only now is beginning to sleep somewhat normally.

We have spent the last few years establishing a silent language between ourselves and Theo by translating his expressions and gestures, and building on these tiny but crucial moments to understand how his brain is working and what he’s trying to convey to us. Like many families who are desperate to connect with their non-verbal children, we’re also dedicated to using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps, where Theo can “talk” to us by tapping symbols on his iPad.

While I think we’re doing a decent job finding our way, I can’t sugarcoat reality. Our lives are not easy and have radically changed since the moment we received our diagnosis. Acceptance, for me, has become a daily ritual. Personally, I find that it helps to think less about the future, and to focus more on my son right here and right now. He is smiling as I write this, and that makes things OK.

Things I wish I knew before having a child with Angelman syndrome:

The author, Christina Poletto, with her son Theo.

1. Gut check often, and get as many opinions as it takes

At 7 months, Theo still wasn’t sitting up or rolling over. His body seemed to be made of jelly. His core was incredibly weak, and he had little command over his body movements. Frequently, his limbs flailed, and we noticed an uptick in jerky movements. What’s more, at a time when other kids his age were kneeling, teetering and attempting to pull themselves up, our son showed no desire to to walk, only to lay flat and laugh at everything around him.

As he grew, his inability to grasp, move, crawl, turn or walk was beginning to weigh on us heavily. His first pediatrician called us “alarmist” for our worry, and for the request we made for genetic testing.

Sure, this was our first kid and we were no experts, but being somewhat shamed for our concerns felt wrong. We never returned to that doctor’s office, and found a pediatrician who listened and took action. In fact, the very first time she met Theodore, the second pediatrician did two things within the first five minutes: She told us we were right to be worried, and that something was terribly amiss with his development, and then she ordered genetic testing on the spot. Eight weeks later, we had the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome.

2. Nothing prepares you for this. Nothing.

When I learned I was pregnant, I did what every first timer does. I bought books, I created a birth plan and I consulted with all of my friends about pregnancy and giving birth. I was thoroughly organized and I had it in the bag. At one point in the pregnancy, when we were informed that our fetus could potentially have Down syndrome, my husband and I invested in a hardcover copy of Andrew Solomon’s “ Far from the Tree ,” a well researched and respected book that succeeds by highlighting the differences between parents and atypical children. My husband and I meditated on the potential reality we were facing and felt ready for anything. Months later, our son was born happy, healthy and there were no red flags present indicating Down syndrome or any other disorder.

Of course, on the day the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome came our way, over a year later, we felt prepared for absolutely nothing at all. Not only did we find ourselves scrutinizing our decisions, but we also felt suddenly adrift. We thought: What is Theo facing here? How are we going to get through this? Where in the world are we supposed to start?

There were no guidebooks for us after Theo was diagnosed; we had to find our own path.

In those early days after the diagnosis someone sent me a link to Emily Perl Kingsley’s moving manifesto “ Welcome to Holland ,” written for parents facing a special needs diagnosis for their child. It’s recommended reading, and I appreciate the idea behind it. But I don’t agree entirely with what she says.

It’s not that Kinglsey is wrong. I just felt differently. Kingsley wrote about finding herself in a different place than intended, and adapting to a different path and finding new guidebooks for the new direction. I felt like we had none of that. No guidebooks and not even a general idea of which direction to head in.

I equate our experience to being dropped in the middle of a bustling city with buildings so tall they block the sky. We were without a map and devoid of orientation. Because the buildings blocked out the skyline, we had no sense of what direction was best, and what to use as a guide. There is no road map for parenting a special needs child, especially at the start. You must blaze your own trail.

3. Find your community

Thankfully we live in an age where the internet can instantly connect us to others on similar paths, seeking answers for their children. Facebook was a great resource for connecting us to families facing this syndrome. Every day, we log on and share our worries, questions, answers and advice. This community has helped us immensely, and though I haven’t met many of these other angel families face to face, I owe them for guiding us through some of our most difficult times.

4. Learn to embrace “the process,” even if it’s the worst

Got a diagnosis? OK, that at least sets you in a vague direction of where to seek more information and find resources. Thankfully, there are early intervention and Medicaid benefit programs in every state (to see where your state ranks, go here ), but they all vary in terms of the services and support they offer. It’s tricky to navigate, especially if you don’t have a confirmed diagnosis.

Start early. If you can emotionally muster it, start the day after a diagnosis. Or start the day you and your pediatrician suspect something is amiss. The sooner your child is in the system and evaluated by specialists, the sooner they can receive therapies and related services to help them improve and thrive. I still run into many families who are unaware there are state services available (at little to no cost) for children with special needs.

Unfortunately, large quantities of forests will be destroyed to to create all the paperwork you will have to fill out for these evaluations and therapies, but this tedious chore is minor compared to what your child can potentially gain in return. Your life will change, and because “the process” requires constant attention, you will spend copious amounts of time on the phone with insurance companies, or booking medical appointments, or considering therapies or interviewing caretakers who specialize in caring for special needs children. It’s a hard reality that special needs parents must dedicate so much of their lives to the process, but it’s worth it.

One important point: Keep copies or printouts of every important evaluation or medical test, especially any that reveal genetic or diagnostic results. Keep them stored in a safe and waterproof place. I recommend creating backup copies of all of them. I scan all print-outs of important medical information using a free scanning app, like CamScanner . It helps to be able to access information quickly, like when insurance or one of Theo’s doctors calls with a question. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be to complete all the educational, insurance, and medical forms in the future.

5. Get ready for battle

It’s probably the last thing parents of newly diagnosed special needs children want to hear, but fighting for your child can and will be a full time job — especially in the beginning.

Being the parent of a special needs child doesn’t give you special treatment. The system may guide you and even hold your hand, but it won’t do the work or fight your battles for you. That responsibility falls solely on the shoulders of parents.

Our family: We can tell you that love is love.

At the start, you’ll be faced with decisions and more decisions. Ask questions, listen attentively and take plenty of notes. In this world, information is power, and when your special needs child (who may be non-verbal and non-mobile) needs to fight to improve his quality of life, you’re going to need all the ammunition you can get.

You will battle with doctors who disagree with your intuition or wishes. You will fight with insurance representatives who will deny adaptive equipment for your child. You will struggle to get the right therapists and educators and services to help your child. You will butt heads with the school system when creating an IEP (Individualized Education Program), which is the time you’ll set goals for the school year.

Being a warrior parent will become part of who you are. You can do it.

6. Grief is deeply personal

I choose to honor and recognize my grief personally. For parents facing a diagnosis, I will simply say that yes, like any difficult life transition, there will be stages of emotion, and everyone moves through them at a different pace and in different ways. I don’t want to gloss over this, but depending on your diagnosis and the severity of what your child is experiencing, adapting to parenting a special needs child will vary. Everything is subjective and everyone’s situation is different.

Some wonderful books that are helping me through this process include “ When Things Fall Apart “ by Pema Chodron and “To You; Love, God” by Will Bowen. I also appreciate the writings of Jamie Varon , who seems to perfectly capture the hardships of life.

7. Remember, they’re still kids

Some moments, I think Theo is as typical as they come. He’s incredibly playful, sometimes sly, and loves a good joke. He is quick to laugh, bust out dancing, and likes to grab his drink and settle into the couch when one of his favorite shows is on. While it’s so easy to think about everything he can’t do and may never be able to do, I relish these beautiful moments when he reveals his true self and shows us the typical kid that exists inside.

I constantly remind myself of this, especially when I’m hesitant to introduce him to a new concept or idea — like letting him take a ride on a kiddie roller coaster or taking him to a movie for the first time. The hesitancy I feel is often a reflection of my own fears and insecurities.

When I set aside the idea that he’s a child with special needs, and focus simply on him as a child, I allow in wonderful opportunities and experiences. My advice to parents: Be present. Be a parent. Treat them special but not perpetually as special needs. They are still kids, after all.

8. Love is love is love...

When we received Theodore’s diagnosis, a very good doctor with a very poor bedside manner informed us that our son would never walk, never talk, never love and would never know we were his parents. She seemed determined to paint a bleak future of having a son who would always exhibit the mental capacity of a child and would require life-long care.

Her words hurt, but we knew — even in that darkest moment — that she was wrong. We called her out for being emotionally irresponsible and stood our ground, insisting that our child was loving, present and capable. Now, years later, we know for sure that her words were just words, and not the truth.

The size or value of your love doesn’t change, even when it’s revealed that your child is different from what you expected.

We have never loved him differently, and certainly not any less, even with this terrible condition hanging over our heads. But what’s more, his love pours out from him unconditionally, and is given to us, and everyone around him, in spades every day. This child has hurdles to overcome that we will never know, and every challenge in the world presented to him, and yet he’s the embodiment of affection. He is happiness. He is truly an angel. And lucky for us, he is all ours.

Dear daughter: Why you’re not getting a phone until high school

I’m child-free by choice. It’s time to change the narrative of what that means

I kept my first marriage a secret from my kids. I wish I'd just told them truth

Seven minutes to grieve with ‘Bluey’

I make my kids bring gifts for the flight crew when we travel. Here’s why

My wife is the default parent. When I asked her to do less, it didn’t go very well

I’m a happy mom but my favorite stories are about child-free women

I refuse to play with my kids — and it makes me a better mom

I got through breast cancer treatment by hiding it from my young children

Disney-ish: How we embraced Disney magic without setting foot inside the park

COMMENTS

Why Dogs are the Best Pets: Exploting Persuasive Arguments
In this essay, I will present compelling reasons why dogs are undeniably the best pets, highlighting their positive impact on our physical and emotional well-being. Unconditional Love and Loyalty. Dogs are renowned for their unwavering loyalty and unconditional love. They have an innate ability to form deep emotional bonds with their human ...
Essay on My Pet Dog for Students and Children
500+ Words Essay on My Pet Dog. Pets are a great blessing in anyone's life. They are the only ones who love us unconditionally. Pets always offer us everything they have without asking for anything in return. The main aim of any pet's life is to make their owner happy. Nowadays, even the term 'owner' is changing.
Dogs Are a Great Pet: [Essay Example], 447 words GradesFixer
In conclusion, dogs are a great pet for a variety of reasons. Their loyalty, companionship, and health benefits make them an invaluable addition to any household. Whether you're looking for a running partner, a cuddly companion, or a loyal protector, dogs have something to offer everyone. With their unconditional love and devotion, it's no ...
The Psychology of Why We Love Dogs
We love dogs because, while they may look at us, they don't give us the look. We can't deal with other people at all without judgment, yet, when it comes to dogs and them looking at us, their ...
My Pet Dog Essay in English for Students and Children
Short Essay on My Pet Dog in English. We have provided a 150 to 200 words essay on my pet dog which can be used by school students and children for their assignments and projects. My pet dog is my best friend in the world. We sleep together, eat together, play together and also love our mom and dad together.
Essays About Dogs: Top 5 Examples And 8 Easy Prompts
5 Best Essay Examples. 1. Long Essay on Dog by Prasanna. "Dogs have been a companion to man for almost 40,000 years. Dogs perform many functions. They are trained and are one of the popular pets to have.". Prasanna's essay contains general facts about dogs, such as their origin, characteristics, behavior, love for meat, and more.
Why I Love My Pet Dog Essay ( loyalty of dog)
Here are some of the reasons why I love my pet dog: 1. Loyalty: One of the main reasons I love my dog is because he is so loyal. He will always be there for me, no matter what. Whether it's protecting me from an attacker or just being there for a hug when I need one, my dog always puts his loyalty first. 2.
Essay on My Favourite Animal Dog
Why I Love Dogs. Dogs are loyal and protective, always standing by their owners. They are smart, understanding commands and gestures. Dogs are also great companions, providing comfort and company. ... 250 Words Essay on My Favourite Animal Dog Introduction. The dog, often hailed as man's best friend, has been the most loyal and affectionate ...
My Dog Essay: [Essay Example], 420 words GradesFixer
My Dog Essay. Dogs have been cherished companions to humans for centuries, providing unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship. In today's world, the bond between humans and dogs has only grown stronger, with dogs playing various roles in our lives, from service animals to beloved pets. In this essay, I will delve into the unique ...
72 Dog Topic Ideas to Write about & Essay Samples
Write an introduction that identifies the topic and provides a clear and concise thesis statement. Finish the paper with a dog essay conclusion that sums up your principal points. It will be easier and more interesting to read while also adhering to literature standards if you do this.
Essay on My Pet Dog for Students and Children in 1000+ Words
Bruno is my pet dog, and he is faithful, genuine, and very devoted to his owner. Bruno is quick to train. In quite a short time, he learned to dive, comprehend, and follow my orders. He takes up my orders easily and executes them immediately. Bruno is a very healthy dog, guy. My dad adopted Bruno while he was a child.
What makes dogs so special and successful? Love
Love. "Dogs have an exaggerated, ebullient, perhaps even excessive capacity to form affectionate relationships," psychologist Clive Wynne writes in his new book, "Dog Is Love." (iStock) Research ...
Why I Love Dogs: Personal Narrative Essay
Why I Love Dogs: Personal Narrative Essay. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. When I was eleven, I bought two black dogs. Some days, they go missing. But once one of them finds their way back, I wait in anticipation for the next to follow.
Essay on Dog for Students and Children
500+ Words Essay On Dog. The dog is a pet animal. A dog has sharp teeth so that it can eat flesh very easily, it has four legs, two ears, two eyes, a tail, a mouth, and a nose. It is a very clever animal and is very useful in catching thieves. It runs very fast, barks loudly and attacks the strangers. A dog saves the life of the master from danger.
10 Reasons Why I Love Dogs
There is no mess they can make that we won't forgive because they are just so cute. 9. You'll never be lonely with a cute dog around. They never allow you to feel lonely. Between wanting to play, cuddle, and just wanting to be around us, dogs always make us feel loved and happy. 10. They truly are a person's best friend.
Essay on Dog
In this article of essay on dog you get the information about why dogs are so much important to us in ours busy life. These domesticated animals descended from a wolf species. These four-legged animals are loyal, obedient, loving, gentle, and considerate. Dogs were one of the first domestic animals and have been man's devoted mates for more ...
Essay on Why Dogs Are Man's Best Friend
Conclusion. In conclusion, dogs are man's best friend for many reasons. They are loyal, comforting, good for our health, and they teach us important life lessons. They love us unconditionally and are always there when we need them. They bring joy, love, and laughter into our lives, making them a true best friend.
Essay On My Favourite Animal (Short & Long)
In conclusion, my favourite animal is the dog. Dogs are known for their loyalty, affection, and intelligence, and they are widely regarded as man's best friend. Their ability to provide unconditional love and support, as well as their intelligence and affectionate nature, make them an ideal pet for families and individuals alike.
PDF I Love My Pet Because…
play with it. One of my dogs will even walk right in the shower with me! They also love the blow-dryer and try to bite at the warm air. I love my dogs because they snuggle up, make me feel safe, and love me as much as I love them. My pets make me happy and the work a happier place. I love my dogs so much and they are very special to me.
The Joyful Bond: Why I Want a Dog: [Essay Example], 630 words
The companionship of a dog has the power to alleviate feelings of loneliness and provide a constant source of emotional support. This bond can be particularly meaningful for children, teaching them empathy, responsibility, and the value of nurturing relationships. A dog's presence enriches our lives with a sense of purpose and a daily reminder ...
Short and Long Paragraph on Dog in English for Students
Paragraph 1 - 100 Words. The Dog is a domestic animal. It is most of the often-used animal as a pet. People prefer to have a dog as a pet rather than any other animal. The dog serves its master selflessly. All that it wants in return is love and care of the owner. There are many breeds of dogs available in the world.
Why Do We Love Dogs So Much? So, So Much?
Here's my best guess: Dogs get us coming and going. They elicit profound love and nurturance as do our own young, AND they give us the unconditional love we all need/want from our parents. In other words, they wrap us up in everything we need from our families, from the bottom up and the top down.
Why I Love My Pet Essay
Choosing a cat or a dog as a pet is depending on personal preference or purpose. Both animals can become a good companion in human's life. In an essay titled "Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs" Sean Curtis argues that cats are better pets than dogs because cats are low maintenance, quiet, and independent.
What Dogs Can Teach Us About Love and Grief
Owning a dog can teach a person as much about herself as about her companion, The Wall Street Journal's Katherine Bindley reflected in a recent essay. From the beginning, owning a dog requires ...
Tim Walz's Dog, Scout, Locked Himself In The Bedroom
Revisit when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is now Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate in the 2024 presidential election, explained how his dog locked himself in a bedroom.
JD Vance, an Unlikely Friendship and Why It Ended
Love you, JD." Nelson wrote back the same day, calling Mr. Vance "buddy" and thanking him for "being sweet," adding, "If you had written gender queer radical pragmatist, nobody would ...
I Got a Breast Lift and Internal Bra in My Quest for Perky Boobs
"Look at my boobs and tell me what you think." I'm a 20-year-old retail assistant, beseeching an older colleague and close friend, to evaluate my bare breasts in the backroom after hours.
Angelman Syndrome: What Parents Should Know
It wasn't long after our son Theodore was born that my husband, Daniel, and I noticed how incredibly happy he was. As in "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof" kind of happy.He ...
What is 'Brat' Green?
Why do you think it happened? I think that fan culture created and runs the internet. What creates a movement is when there are real people and they are really into something.
Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues
As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals.

Why Dogs are the Best Pets: Exploting Persuasive Arguments

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

Essay on My Pet Dog | My Pet Dog Essay in English for Students and Children

Long Essay on My Pet Dog in English

How did I Meet My Pet Dog?

Why I Love My Pet Dog?

Short Essay on My Pet Dog in English

10 Lines on My Pet Dog Essay in English

FAQ’s on Essay On My Pet Dog

Essays About Dogs: Top 5 Examples and 8 Easy Prompts

5 Best Essay Examples

8 Writing Prompts for Essays About Dogs

Why I Love My Pet Dog Essay ( loyalty of dog)

Short Essay on Why Loyalty Of Dog Essay

The basic needs of a dog

Special characteristics of dogs

Why I love my dog

Reasons why people might not love their pet the same way

Related Posts:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

72 Dog Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🐩 Dog Essays: Things to Consider

Essay on My Pet for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

Essay on My Pet Dog for Students and Children in 1000+ Words

My favorite pet dog

My Pet Changed my Life

10 line on My Pet

Reader Interactions

Why I Love Dogs: Personal Narrative Essay

Cite this paper

Related articles

Most popular essays

Join our 150k of happy users

Recommended for you

1. They always want to cuddle.

2. Without fail, they are always the first to comfort you.

3. No one is more excited to see you when you come home.

4. They are the most reliable protectors.

5. Since they need to be walked daily, they keep you in shape.

6. They will never judge or criticize you.

7. You always know to not trust someone your dog doesn't like.

8. Once you see their puppy dog face, you can't be mad at them anymore.

9. You'll never be lonely with a cute dog around.

10. They truly are a person's best friend.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.