why i love dogs essay

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. People prefer their pets as kids and to themselves as parents. This is how the relationship between pets is evolving. People treat them no less than humans. For instance, they celebrate their birthdays; get those matching outfits and more.

In my opinion, I feel the pets rightly deserve it. The most common pet you can find at anyone’s place is dogs. A man’s best friend and the most faithful animal, a dog. I also have a pet dog that I love to bits. We got him when he was a little baby and have watched him grow into a beautiful dog. All my family members love him with all their heart. We love his silly antics and cannot imagine our lives without him. We named him Sasha.

Sasha – My Pet Dog

My father adopted Sasha when he was a little baby. His friend had given birth to puppies and they decided to put the puppies up for adoption. We convinced our father to get one for us. Considering they knew our family well, they immediately agreed. Little did we know that our lives would change forever after his entrance.

Sasha came in like a blessing for our family. He belongs to the breed of Labrador. Sasha was black in colour, pure coal black. He came in as a puppy with his cute little paws and eyes. We couldn’t stop gushing over this beauty. My siblings used to fight with each other as to who will get the maximum time to play with Sasha.

Read 500 Words Essay on Dog here

As and when Sasha grew up, he learned various tricks. We trained him to follow our instructions and he even learned a few tricks. We loved showing him off to our colony friends and relatives. I always took Sasha out with me as he loved taking a walk on the road.

Furthermore, my siblings and I took on the responsibility of keeping Sasha clean. Every week, we took turns to bathe him and brush him nicely. I remember I even got a bow for him from my pocket money. Sasha loved it and wagged his tail in excitement. Sasha has been with us through thick and thin and we will forever be indebted to him for his loyalty.

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A Changed Life

Before having a pet dog, we didn’t know what all we would experience. After Sasha came into our lives, he changed it forever. Sasha changed the meaning of loyalty for us. We learned how this faithful animal always worked for our happiness and safety.

Certainly, Sasha made us better human beings. We are now more compassionate towards animals. There was one instance where the stray dogs were going to harm a kitten, and to our surprise, Sasha saved that little kitten and got her home.

In other words, we have learned a lot of things from Sasha. He protected us when we slept at night. He tried to cheer us up whenever anyone of us was sad. Sasha’s obedience inspired me a lot to be kind to my parents. Therefore, all the credit for changing our lives goes to Sasha.

Q.1 What are some common pet animals?

A.1 Some of the most common pet animals are dogs, cats, parrots, hamsters, rabbits, turtles and more.

Q.2 Why should one own a pet dog?

A.2 We can learn a great deal from our pet dogs. They teach us loyalty, compassion, courage, and obedience.

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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.

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What makes dogs so special and successful? Love.

Research on dogs has exploded in recent decades. Universities have opened canine cognition labs, and scientists have probed dogs’ intelligence, behavior, biology and skills .

Clive Wynne, a psychologist and founder of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University, has a new book that walks readers through the growing body of dog science. In it, he argues that what makes dogs remarkable is not their smarts, but their capacity to form affectionate relationships with other species — in short, to love.

Wynne spoke recently with The Washington Post about his book , “Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You.” This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Washington Post: Many dog owners will think, “Of course my dog loves me.” Why study this?

Wynne: It’s at least worth thinking about that what on the surface appears to be something in our dogs that people are happy to call love might — might — not have deserved that name. It could have been that our dogs were in some sense just faking it to get better treats. Ultimately, this is, to me, about trying to understand the secret of dogs’ success and what makes dogs unique.

Scientists in the first decade of the 21st century were mainly concerned with the idea that dogs have special forms of intelligence and social cognition that were unique in the animal kingdom. From the point of view of those of us that are in the science of studying dogs, the idea that it’s affection and not intelligence that’s the secret ingredient that makes dogs successful is quite a radical idea.

Q: What is love? Don’t we need a clear definition?

A: I avoid using the L-word in my scientific writing. We talk about exceptional gregariousness. We talk about hypersociability. When we’re doing science, we have to find terms that can be operationalized, or things that can be measured. We can measure whether a dog chooses to go for a bowl of food or its owner when it’s separated from both food and its owner for many hours. We can measure how hormonal levels go up in both dogs and their owners when they look into each other’s eyes.

At the end of the day, an overarching, multidimensional phenomenon like love has to be broken down into small, measurable pieces. But I think if one were to just do science on the small, measurable pieces and resist the attempt to synthesize all those observations into a picture, that would be a disservice.

Q: You and I have had conversations in the past where I got the impression you would be on the more skeptical end of the dogs-love-us spectrum.

A: I’m a reluctant convert. I was somebody who was resistant to the idea that what appeared to be affection radiating from our dogs could really be that. But ultimately, a combination of getting this dog into my life — who’s lying down next to me now, Xephos — and the overwhelming evidence of the studies that my students and I did, and the studies that so many other people have done, it really all adds up to an irresistible picture. I know that sometimes Xephos just wants dinner. But I’m pretty convinced that that’s not the whole picture. She really does feel a bond, a connection toward me that’s as real as any other connection that any other individual in my life might feel toward me.

Q: Anthropomorphism is frowned upon in science. How can you examine dogs’ ability to love without veering into anthropomorphic territory?

A: I’m on record as one of the vehemently anti-anthropomorphic animal behavior scientists. Anthropomorphism means ascribing human qualities to animals. And certainly love is something we know first through human experience. But I think that different species can have different forms of love.

Dogs fall in love much more easily than people do, and they also seem to be able to move on much more easily than people can. A lot of people have anxiety about the idea of adopting an adult dog. Wouldn’t the dog be pining for its original human family? But what evidence we have indicates that dogs can form new loving relationships much more easily and don’t seem to have the same level of trauma from being taken away from preexisting loving relationships.

I’m not saying human and dog love are identical. I’m just saying there’s enough similarity between how dogs form strong emotional bonds and how people form strong emotional bonds that it’s fair enough to use the love word.

Q: So dogs’ intelligence — cognitive skills that make them uniquely able to understand us — is not their secret?

A: I thought it was a fair enough idea when I started studying dogs: Maybe dogs had developed special forms of cognition by living with people for 15,000 years.

The aha moment came when we got an invitation from Wolf Park in Indiana. Wolf Park has been hand-rearing wolves since 1974. When we’re testing wolves, we’re testing the wild ancestor of dogs, and it’s a crucial way to see what makes dogs unique, because we’re seeing what differences are there. We got around to having the wolves there tested in this very simple task where you point at something on the ground and see if the animal goes where you point. This was supposed to be something that was unique to dogs, and sure enough, the wolves were excellent at it. That was totally the aha moment — it couldn’t be how dogs were unique.

Subsequently, we and other people have tested goats and dolphins, and even bats . Bats raised by people follow human pointing gestures, and bats raised by other bats do not. What matters is your early experience in life. That’s what determines whether an animal will be sensitive to what people are doing.

Q: You write about many studies that show dogs behaving as though they love us. Can you describe one you find particularly compelling?

A: The one I like best is one of our own, which we usually call the rescue experiment. There had been a prior experiment where scientists had volunteer dog owners pretend to have heart attacks , and the dogs didn’t do anything to help. I thought this was quite convincing: It seemed to suggest that dogs didn’t really love people. Later, I thought, “Well, how are you supposed to know what to do under those circumstances?”

So I looked into these experiments that certainly indicate that dogs express concern when a human seems to be crying . Then I read this book about pets in the Second World War that mentioned repeated stories of dogs trying to dig their owners out from under the rubble of bombed homes. And I thought, “Maybe we can make an experiment where we in some way bomb people’s homes and see if their dog will dig them out!”

Ultimately, it’s a box that we ask people to crawl inside and then cry out in distress. And we see whether the dog will open the box for them. If you set it up how I described it, about one-third of dogs rescue their owners. But pretty much all dogs look very, very upset, and what appears to be happening is that all the dogs are disturbed, but only about one-third can figure out what needs to be done.

So we did a follow-up experiment where before we put the person in the box, we put food in the box and we train the dogs to open the box to get the food out. Going forward, when we put the owner in the box and ask the owner to cry out in distress, we know that the dogs know how to open the box. Under those conditions, pretty much every dog opened the box. That, to me, is a compelling demonstration that dogs really do care if they can understand. If they can figure out what to do, they will.

Q: You also write about how biological research backs up the idea that dogs can love.

A: If it’s there, it’s got to be in their biology. Their biology has to underwrite their behavior.

A Japanese research group analyzed dogs’ and people’s urine for levels of this hormone oxytocin, which gets called the love hormone because it spikes when two people are in loving contact with each other. They had people and dogs come into the lab and look at each other lovingly. Sure enough, the oxytocin levels went up on both sides of the relationship.

If you show dogs in MRI scanners objects that remind them of either food or the presence of their owners, you can see how their brains light up. And the reward centers of the brain light up more strongly to signals that say “Your owner is nearby” than to signals that say “You’re going to get a piece of sausage.” That’s really strong evidence inside the brain that the presence of a beloved human is rewarding to a dog in itself.

The more biological side that I’ve been involved in is digging right down to the genetic code. In part of the genome of the dog that shows evidence of recent changes, the equivalent part of the human genome is responsible for this syndrome called Williams-Beuren. The most peculiar symptom is what they call exaggerated gregariousness. People who have this syndrome have no notion of stranger, they treat everybody as a friend, they’re extremely outgoing. When I read this, I thought: They’re much like our dogs!

So some people got together and did these very simple behavioral tests for what you could call gregariousness or sociability on dogs and on wolves. And we got DNA samples from those dogs and wolves, and we identified three genes that show the mutation in those genes [is] responsible for a big difference between dogs and wolves in their gregariousness. Dogs are much more outgoing, and this correlates in three genes that independently have been shown to be responsible for the gregariousness aspect of Williams syndrome. So deep into the deepest level of biology, into the genetic code that underlies everything that dogs become, you can find it all the way through.

(Note: Wynne writes in his book of his relief that advocates for children with Williams syndrome weren’t offended by this finding. “If they had tails, they would wag them,” one told a reporter .)

Q: Let’s say I find myself in possession of a wolf pup. Legal and ethical considerations aside, if I cuddle it and feed it and train it, will it love me?

A: You can form a strong emotional bond that’s reciprocated with a wolf. Tameness is a conjunction of the right DNA and early life experiences. The early life experience that dogs need to become tame involve really very little exposure to humans. Meanwhile, if you want to have a tame wolf or a tame lion or a tame tiger, even a tame squirrel, all those things are perfectly possible, but they take much more hard work. Because that’s another way that dogs changed during the process of domestication. They became much easier to tame.

Q: Before we humans get all smug about our lovableness, you should probably explain that dogs don’t reserve their affection for people.

A: It’s not the case that dogs have special genes or special capacities to form relationship with humans. Dogs just have special capacities to form relationships with anything. Whatever they meet early on in life, they will then accept members of that species as potential friends later on.

In Australia, there are these beautiful little penguins that live on offshore islands. In one particular case, the island is not really far enough offshore, and at certain times, at low tide, foxes can get out and they have repeatedly decimated the penguin colony. So a nearby farmer who had dogs guarding his free-range chickens suggested putting dogs out on the islands to guard the penguins. The dogs were put with penguins when they were puppies, so now the dogs form warm, strong emotional bonds with penguins and follow the penguins around and keep the foxes away . It’s a beautiful success story about how dogs’ very open program to forming strong, loving relationships can be put to use protecting endangered wildlife.

Q: The final section of your book is a sort of call to action. What do you think we owe to dogs in return for their love?

A: Dogs gave up their free-ranging, roaming, hunting lives in order to hitch their wagon to ours, and I think that implies duties toward them. You know your dog needs feeding. Most recognize that dogs need exercise. The thing that upsets me is that people don’t give enough thought to the fact that a large part of what makes it so wonderful to live with a dog is your dog’s social nature. You come home and there’s at least somebody who’s happy to see you.

So I think the cruelest thing that we routinely do to our dogs is leaving them home for eight, 10, 12 hours a day. If your life is such that your dog is going to have to be left alone for more than four hours routinely, then you should reconsider whether you have a life that a dog can comfortably fit into.

But the thing about dogs is they make friends so easily. You can have a neighbor or a friend come, or you pay a dog-walking service. That’s part of my whole point here. Your tame wolf will probably not be interested in having a stranger come and take them out. But your dog will.

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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.

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 .

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Why Dogs and Humans Love Each Other More Than Anyone Else

This is excerpted from TIME How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind .

You speak dog better than you think you do. You may not be fluent; that would require actually being a dog. But if you went to live in a dogs-only world, you’d be pretty good at understanding what they’re saying. You can tell a nervous yip from a menacing growl, a bark that says hello from a bark that says get lost . You can read the body language that says happy, that says sad, that says tired, that says scared, that says Please, please, please play with me right now!

Think that’s not a big deal? Then answer this: What does a happy bird look like? A sad lion? You don’t know, but dog talk you get. And as with your first human language, you didn’t even have to try to learn it. You grew up in a world in which dogs are everywhere and simply came to understand them.

That, by itself, says something about the bond that humans and dogs share. We live with cats, we work with horses, we hire cows for their milk and chickens for their eggs and pay them with food—unless we kill them and eat them instead. Our lives are entangled with those of other species, but we could disentangle if we wanted.

With dogs, things are different. Our world and their world swirled together long ago like two different shades of paint. Once you’ve achieved a commingled orange, you’re never going back to red and yellow.

But why is that? It’s not enough to say that the relationship is symbiotic—that dogs hunt for us and herd for us and we keep them warm and fed in return. Sharks and remora fish struck a similarly symbiotic deal, with the remora cleaning parasites from the shark’s skin and getting to help itself to scraps from the shark’s kills as its pay. That underwater deal is entirely transactional; love plays no part. Humans and dogs, by contrast, adore each other.

The relationship began—well, nobody knows exactly when it began. The earliest remains of humans and dogs interred together date to 14,000 years ago, but there are some unconfirmed finds that are said to be more than twice as old. The larger point is the meaning of the discoveries: we lived with dogs and then chose to be buried with them. Imagine that.

It was only by the tiniest bit of genetic chance that our cross-species union was forged at all. Dogs and wolves share 99.9% of their mitochondrial DNA—the DNA that’s passed down by the mother alone—which makes the two species nearly indistinguishable. But elsewhere in the genome, there are a few genetic scraps that make a powerful difference. On chromosome six in particular, investigators have found three genes that code for hyper-sociability—and they are in the same spot as similar genes linked to similar sweetness in humans.

Our ancestors didn’t know what genes were many millennia ago, but they did know that every now and then, one or two of the midsize scavengers with the long muzzles that came nosing around their campfires would gaze at them with a certain attentiveness, a certain loving neediness, and that it was awfully hard to resist them. So they welcomed those few in from the cold and eventually came to call them dogs, while the animals’ close kin that didn’t pull the good genes—the ones we would come to call wolves or jackals or coyotes or dingoes—would be left to make their way in the state of nature in which they were born.

When humans ourselves left the state of nature, our alliance with dogs might well have been dissolved. If you didn’t need a working dog—and fewer and fewer people did—the ledger went out of balance. We kept paying dogs their food-and-shelter salary, but we got little that was tangible in return. Never mind, though; by then we were smitten.

Our language reflected how love-drunk we’d gotten: the word “puppy” is thought to have been adapted from the French poupée , or doll—an object on which we lavish irrational affection. Our folk stories were populated by dogs: the Africans spoke of Rukuba, the dog who brought us fire; the Welsh told the tale of the faithful hound Gelert, who saved a prince’s baby from a wolf. Aristocrats took to including the family dog in family portraits. Wealthy eccentrics took to including dogs in their wills.

Today, at least in areas populated by humans, dogs are the planet’s most abundant terrestrial carnivore. There are about 900 million of them worldwide, just shy of 80 million of whom live in the U.S. alone. The single species that is the domestic dog— Canis lupus familiaris —has been subdivided into hundreds of breeds, selected for size or temperament or color or cuteness.

The average American dog owner spends more than $2,000 a year on food, toys, medical care and more, and some people would be prepared to pay a much higher, much dearer price. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, so many people refused to evacuate without their dogs that Congress passed a law requiring disaster preparedness plans to make accommodations for pets.

What began as a mutual-services contract between two very different species became something much more like love. None of that makes a lick of sense, but it doesn’t have to. Love rarely touches the reasoning parts of the brain. It touches the dreamy parts, the devoted parts—it touches the parts we sometimes call the heart. For many thousands of years, it’s there that our dogs have lived.

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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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, […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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”.
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 […]
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.
What Dog Are You? All of them possess individual traits that have to suit the profile and character of the owner for them to create a harmonious and beneficial union and to feel comfortable together first of all, every […]
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.
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 […]
Dog House: Business Law Today Based on the definition of a shareholder’s derivative suit, it is possible to say that corporations can be expected to benefit from this type of litigation.
“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.
“How to Draw a Dog” Video Lecture Critique The video begins with an introduction to the character that the artist is going to draw. The artist provides a more detailed description of the process later when he begins to draw dog’s eyebrows and […]
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 […]
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’ 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 […]
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 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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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?
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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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.

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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.

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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 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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.

Read A Best Poem on Affection With Explained Verses

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

Dogs are also extremely loyal. Once a dog forms a bond with its owner, it stays loyal for life. They protect us, stand by us, and are always ready to cheer us up. This loyalty makes them special friends.

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.

In conclusion, dogs are man’s best friend because they offer love, loyalty, health benefits, and life lessons. They are more than just pets; they are family.

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.

In conclusion, dogs are man’s best friend because they offer unconditional love, loyalty, protection, and even health benefits. Their companionship is priceless and can bring a lot of joy and happiness into our lives.

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 have a unique way of sensing our feelings. If you are sad, they will sit by your side, offering comfort without saying a word. When you are happy, they share in your joy with wagging tails and playful barks. They are always there for us, through good times and bad, providing a source of comfort and companionship.

Dogs Keep Us Healthy

Having a dog can also help keep us healthy. Dogs need daily walks and playtime, which means we get regular exercise too! This helps us stay fit and active. Studies have also shown that spending time with dogs can lower stress and blood pressure, making us feel more relaxed and happy.

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.

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. So, the next time you see your dog, give them an extra hug to thank them for being such a wonderful friend.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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

Essay on Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats
Essay on Why Do You Want To Study Abroad
Essay on Why Do You Want To Pursue Higher Education

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

Happy studying!

Why We Love Our Cats and Dogs

Whether it’s an occasional shared sense of playfulness or our surging oxytocin when we gaze at each other, house pets and humans share a unique cross-species bond..

By Psychology Today Contributors published May 4, 2021 - last reviewed on May 4, 2021

We shower Rosco, Max, and Tigger with toys and kisses. In fact, for some people, pets are Numero Uno. When two men nabbed a pair of Lady Gaga’s prized pooches earlier this year, she posted a $500,000 reward for their return. Clearly, many people are gaga over man’s and woman’s best friend. And there is good reason to be pro-pet. Studies show that kids who have pets enjoy higher self-esteem , cognitive development, and social skills. Studies also show that pet owners are healthier and happier. While we don’t know if people are healthier and happier because they have pets, we do know that there is a positive association between humans and their furry companions.

How Much Money Is Your Pet Worth?

Why it’s difficult for people to name a price for their animal.

By Hal Herzog, Ph.D.

You have likely read about Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs. Earlier this year, two of her pets were snatched from her dog-walker, who as of this writing is recovering from a gunshot to his chest. The pop star immediately offered $500,000 for the return of her dogs—no questions asked. Two days later, a woman handed Koji and Gustav to the cops. The police do not believe she was involved in the crime , and it’s currently unknown whether she received the reward money.

This unfortunate event and the size of the reward highlight the monetary value we place on our dogs and cats.

Here’s the problem: While we increasingly think of pets as people, from a legal perspective the dogs and cats in our lives are considered property. As with a used car, it is perfectly legal to buy, sell, or give away a companion animal. But there is a difference between determining the value of a used car and a personal pet. You can check the worth of your car in the Kelly Blue Book, but this is not true for the value of an animal, one that may be in your life for years.

What determines the dollar value of a pet? One factor, of course, is the wealth of its owner. Lady Gaga puts the value of each of her pups at $250,000. But unlike pop stars, most pet lovers are not fabulously wealthy. However, there are several methods that examine the monetary value of our dogs and cats.

One is from behavioral economics : asking people how much they would fork over to save their pet. This is the “willingness to pay” concept. Willingness to pay has been used to assess how people rate the importance of environmental issues—for example, saving 20,000 seabirds from an oil spill.

Colleen Kirk at the New York Institute of Technology has researched the relative value of a pet dog compared with a pet cat. Her 99 participants were university employees who owned cats, dogs, or both. First, they were asked to think about one of their pets. Then they had to imagine that their pet had contracted a serious illness and that curing the pet would require surgery; without intervention, the pet would die. The participants were then asked: What is the most you would be willing to pay for your pet’s life-saving surgery? The subjects said they would pay a median of $3,000 to save the life of their dog and $1,800 to save their cat. Research from the University of Oklahoma also found similar results by using a method economists developed to estimate the value of a human life.

The legal system offers another window into the monetary value of pets. In 2014, police officer Rodney Price was investigating a burglary in Glen Burnie, Maryland, when he was barked at by Vern, a Chesapeake Bay retriever owned by Michael Reeves. Feeling threatened by the large dog, Price pulled out his gun and shot him. Officer Price claimed the dog was going to attack him, and he was exonerated by an internal police investigation.

The Reeves family disputed the account, saying that Vern was not aggressive and did not endanger the officer. He was just barking at a stranger in his yard. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit, and the jury awarded Reeves $1.26 million in damages for Vern’s death—$500,000 in monetary damages and $760,000 damages due to emotional distress to Reeves.

Other legal cases have also put premiums on the lives of pets. A Connecticut jury awarded $202,000 to a man and his daughter whose 115-pound mild-mannered St. Bernard was shot by Hartford police during an illegal search. A Franklin County, Washington, jury awarded $100,000 to Jim Anderson, whose springer spaniel, Chucky, was shot and killed by a neighbor.

How do we quantify the unquantifiable? I remember a public opinion poll that asked pet owners if they would sell their pet for a million dollars. Fifty-six percent of them said no.

I have asked myself this question. When my cat, Tilly, jumps in my lap in the evening, I love to rub behind her ears while we watch TV. However, during my lectures, I sometimes show a slide of Tilly with a “For Sale” sign. I tell the audience that she is a sweetheart, but for a million bucks, I would consider letting her go to the right owner. No one has come forward, but I am pretty sure I would not go through with the deal.

Hal Herzog, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of psychology at Western Carolina University and the author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat.

How Pets Can Boost Your Health

By Sheri Hall

We love our furry companions for good reason.

If you don’t have a pet, you may wonder how much they require in food, training, and poop-scooping, not to mention visits to the vet. But most pet owners understand that companion animals do provide benefits to their owners.

Based on surveys completed before the global pandemic, the American Pet Products Association estimated that about 85 million U.S. households owned a pet in 2019. In separate surveys conducted since the start of the pandemic, the association estimates that an additional 11 million U.S. households adopted new pets in the past year.

A systematic review from the University of Liverpool identified 17 studies that looked at the effects of pet ownership on people experiencing mental health problems. They found companion animals do improve mental well-being. Studies showed pets were especially helpful to military veterans suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder and to people with depression .

What is it about having a pet? The researchers found pet owners benefited from companionship and “unconditional love” from pets. Pets were especially helpful for people living alone. In addition, people with pets made social connections with strangers out in public and were more likely to have positive interactions with family and friends.

But there is a caveat.

Researchers have pointed out that other aspects of pet owners’ lives may exaggerate these health and well-being benefits. They found many of the benefits disappeared when they factored in homeownership, parental health, wealth, and race. It may well be that the mental health benefits of pet ownership in families are actually due to differences in socioeconomic class.

In addition, the authors did find negative aspects of owning a pet, including difficulty finding rental housing. And pet owners experience worry and guilt if they believe their pets misbehave. But overall, researchers agree that pets improve the well-being of people with mental health problems.

A review article from the University of Queensland included 52 studies examining the health benefits of pet ownership for older adults. The authors found that older adults who owned pets experienced a higher quality of life and were less likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety . Additionally, participants with dementia who owned pets exhibited fewer behavioral and psychiatric symptoms.

Kids seem to benefit as well. Research from the United Kingdom identified 22 studies that measured the impact of pet ownership on children’s emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioral development. The benefits for children living with pets included a lowered risk of anxiety, higher self-esteem, and less likelihood of experiencing serious mental health problems. And although not as conclusive, the review also found some evidence that children with pets are more likely to demonstrate empathy and higher levels of social interaction, especially when there is a special bond with the pet.

There isn’t comprehensive evidence to date about pet owners’ mental health during the pandemic. But one survey of nearly 6,000 people living in England during the initial COVID-19 lockdown found that owning a pet did prevent, to some degree, feelings of loneliness and other mental health symptoms.

Researchers admit more evidence is needed to completely understand the benefits of pet ownership. But based on the evidence available now, having a companion animal can certainly be good for you.

Sheri Hall is a freelance writer and works with Cornell University’s Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research.

Why Children Would Save Animals Over People

Kids and adults think differently about animals.

When I was a kid, a pet changed my life. It was not our family’s lovable mutt Frisky, or even Murphy, my pet duck. No, it was a four-foot-long yellow rat snake named Fred that I got for three bucks when I was 13. He lived in a cage in my bedroom. I was transfixed by his enigmatic stare, alien beauty, and ability to swallow a mouse. I was hooked. Within a year, I had a menagerie of scaly creepy crawlies. And while other kids were rocking out to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, I was learning the Latin names of snakes and devouring books on reptile behavior and ecology.

Many decades later, my 8-year-old grandson proves to be a kindred spirit when it comes to a love of animals—with a twist. He and I logged on to play the Moral Machine game, which was devised by researchers at MIT to better understand universal ethical principles. When a hypothetical situation involved human versus animal life, I was amazed to see my grandson send a car careening into a person to save a dog.

Researchers from Yale and Harvard recently investigated how children and adults differ in prioritizing people over animals. Their study offered three options—save the people, save the animals, or no decision was made. The differences between the decisions of the children, ages 5 to 9, and the adults were stark. In every scenario, most of the adults opted to save people over dogs or pigs—even if saving one person would cause 100 dogs to die. This was not so among children. In the same scenarios, kids were more likely than adults to save dogs rather than humans. Indeed, a third of the kids would sacrifice a single person to save a single dog. Adults, on the other hand, were four times more likely than the kids to save the life of a person over 100 dogs.

The researchers found that, when compared with adults, children are much less speciesist, that is, less inclined to assume human superiority over other animals. One reason posited for speciesism is evolution. For most of human history, animals played major roles in people’s lives, particularly the creatures that ate us and the ones we ate. Hence, our ancestors may have evolved psychological mechanisms that promoted thinking of other species as separate from humans.

The researchers, however, believe that socialization rather than evolution is the major influence in the development of speciesism. They suggest that humans are not natural species- ists. Rather, the prejudice against animals is, like racism, a widespread but learned bias that tends to show up during adolescence .

My experience playing the Moral Machine game with my grandson and the innovative studies mentioned indicate that kids tend to give more moral weight to nonhuman animals than adults do. This difference is, in part, the result of socialization and arbitrary cultural norms. But here is another factor: When it comes to difficult moral judgments involving other species, most adults are more sophisticated thinkers than most 5- to 9-year-olds, whose brains have not developed the capacity for abstract thought. They are less likely to conceive of the ramifications of a person's death compared with an animal's.

Recently, I asked my grandson what he would do in a shipwreck situation involving one person or one dog. He immediately said he would save the dog. When I asked him why, his answer was, “Because there are more people than dogs on the earth.”

—Hal Herzog, Ph.D.

Need a Lift?

Gaze at your tail-wagger.

By Mark Derr

It appears that gazing into the eyes of a dog can boost the delightful feel-good hormone oxytocin , according to a report in the publication Science. Plus, the dogs feel a surge in oxytocin, too. The enduring bond between humans and dogs is similar to that of a mother and her infant. The researchers suggest that this form of communication arose early in the domestication of the dog and then helped shape the relationship between dogs and humans.

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide, a protein-like particle that facilitates communication between neurons. Its primary domain appears to be the amygdala, a part of the brain believed to be involved in controlling fear , stress, social interactions, love, empathy, and the bonding with and acceptance of others.

Who wouldn’t want more love and less fear?

Essentially, the researchers conducted two experiments, each involving a total of 60 dogs and their humans—divided into long-gazers and short-gazers. The dogs were largely Western breeds—golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, poodles, and the like. The first experiment also involved wolves living in shelters. The results of both experiments showed that oxytocin levels rose in the urine of humans on the receiving end of long gazes from their dog companions. Moreover, oxytocin levels also rose in the long-gazing dogs, the researchers reported, but not in the urine of the short-gazing dogs and their humans. Wolves showed no interest in gazing into the eyes of their human companions.

However, researchers not involved in these experiments say that the conclusion was overdrawn, given the small sample size and the failure to recognize that the manifestations of oxytocin, and other neuropeptides, are often culturally determined and context-dependent. Many dogs will not meet and hold the gaze of their human companions, no matter how tight their bond.

Oxytocin-loop or not, there is little if any evidence that early dogs were desired for their puppy-like charm and reduced aggression . In fact, the opposite is more likely true. As the first domesticated animal, by thousands of years, dogs played essential roles in the survival of their people. They had to adapt to human, not wolf, society and serve as beasts of burden, guards, hunters, sacrifices to the spirits, and food for the starving. n

Mark Derr is the author of many books, including How the Dog Became the Dog and A Dog’s History of America.

Why Orange Cats are Special

Garfield and his breed may enjoy greater social status.

By Karen Wu

Many people think orange cats are the friendliest of all felines. Surveys do suggest that orange cats appear more affectionate. While this could be a result of cat owners looking to support their own stereotypes and preferences, there are other plausible explanations. The gene responsible for the color orange is sex-linked , resulting in a much higher likelihood that an orange cat will be male. And the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science reports that male cats appear to be slightly friendlier than females.

However, might there be another reason, besides gender , that explains the unique behavior of orange cats? A study from Claude Bernard University examined the frequency of the orange gene variant among cat populations and found that orange cats may differ from other cats in a number of ways. To conduct their study, the researchers sampled 30 cat populations in France between 1982 and 1992, collecting data on felines from each population. They found three trends.

1. Orange cats are more common in rural environments . Orange cats may enjoy greater reproductive success in rural areas where the feline mating system is more polygynous: Male cats tend to mate with multiple females, but females tend to mate with only one male. Meanwhile, in urban environments, both female and male cats have multiple mates.

2. Orange cats are less common in areas with greater mortality risk. Orange cats may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors that result in death.

3. Orange cats show greater sexual dimorphism . Orange males weigh more than males of other coat colors, and orange females weigh less than females of other colors.

These trends led the researchers to a theory: Due to physical and behavioral differences, orange cats (males in particular) may rely on a different reproductive strategy. Specifically, because they are larger in size (and likely more aggressive given previously documented links between a male cat’s body size and aggression towards other cats), orange male cats may enjoy greater social status and thus higher reproductive success in rural locations.

However, in urban settings, their social status may not get them as far. In these environments, female cats tend to mate with many male cats. As a result, reproductive success is dependent on sperm competition rather than physical competition among males. Moreover, the competitive nature of orange male cats may heighten their risk of death from fighting with other cats or animals, thus driving down the number of orange cats. This idea is supported by past findings that larger male cats are more dominant, resulting in greater reproductive success but greater mortality risk.

Although these color-based behavioral associations may seem odd, they are found among other animals, including rodents and birds, as reviewed in the Claude Bernard University research. Certain genes responsible for behavior or other physical attributes, such as body size, may be inherited alongside those responsible for fur color.

This study identifies several unique characteristics of orange cats; however, it does not explain why orange cats are friendlier toward humans. If this stereotype is true, might it be attributed to the risk-taking behaviors of these special cats? Perhaps orange males, due to their dominant status and bold personalities, feel more comfortable approaching humans, who often frighten timid cats.

Karen Wu, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.

Submit your response to this story to [email protected] . If you would like us to consider your letter for publication, please include your name, city, and state. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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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.

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Animals — A Narrative of My Love for Animals and How They Have Strengthened My Compassion for All Living Things

My Love for Animals and How They Have Strengthened My Compassion for All Living Things

Categories: Animals

About this sample

Words: 889 |

Published: Aug 23, 2018

Words: 889 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works Cited

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/about-us
Animal Legal Defense Fund. (n.d.). About ALDF.
Animal Welfare Institute. (n.d.). Our Mission. Retrieved from https://awionline.org/content/our-mission
Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.). About Us.
PETA. (n.d.). About PETA.
Smith, J. A. (2016). The Benefits of Animals - for Individuals, Families, Communities, and Society. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/201607/the-benefits-animals-individuals-families-communities-and-society
University of Missouri Extension. (2016). The Benefits of Pets for Human Health.
Van Houtte, B. A. (2017). The impact of companion animals on human health and well-being: A review of literature. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 5(10), 68-75.
Wells, D. L. (2019). The effects of animals on human health and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 75(3), 523-543.
Wilson, C. C., & Turner, D. C. (2008). Companion animals in human health. In Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (pp. 7-26). Academic Press.

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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

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