I can't imagine it.

[Upendi&Mina]

So I was thinking last night and I really can't imagine what life would like without a dog. My entire life I've never been without at least one canine companion (really some of my first memories are with a dog), and as most of you know we have our own 'herd' now (only two of them are mine, but still I care for everyone else too). I mean I'd have so much free time and no clue what to do with it. What would fill walk time, potty time, play time, etc. And I really can't imagine what it must be like to be one of the people in life who think dogs are 'dirty, disgusting, etc.' Can you imagine not having a doggy friend to love?

 

[Toller_08]

Not at all. Dogs are my life... I truly don't know what I'd do without one. Pretty much all of my free time is spent with my dogs, and I don't really have any hobbies or interests that don't include them. I'd be so lost.

 

[babymomma]

I can.. I have been obsessed with animals, Dogs more especially since I was born. My parents dont like dogs or animals (ok my dad likes dogs) And for the frst 15 years of my life I literally suffered Without a dog... I spent my time taking neighbors dogs for walks, ussually the neglected dogs or the ones whos owners were to old to walk them. I bathed them, brushed them. Did it all. Its the only thing that kept me sane... I never want to live without a dog EVER again..

 

[Laurelin]

I can. A year and a half ago I was there. It SUCKED, quite frankly.

 

[Southpaw]

I can't. It honestly worries me to think that someday when I have my own place, I probably won't have a dog for a while. I spend a lot of time with my dogs... there's no one else I'd rather spend my time with.

 

[currywoodcollies]

Honestly, my first word was "puppy" and that really upset my parents lol. I couldn't live without a dog. I have had dogs since the day I was born. I do not have a clue what it would be like... and I honestly don't care to know.

 

[Beanie]

I can. A year and a half ago I was there. It SUCKED, quite frankly.

This.
Life was not the same after Happy and Kota moved out. I would turn around to say something to one of them... and they weren't there. I would move to pet one of them... and they weren't there. The lack of a dog was actually an overwhelming presence in my life.

I wrote when I brought Auggie home, "and it's like suddenly, all is right in the world." Without a dog, things just didn't feel complete. Something was missing. Auggie brought it back to me again. I still remember one day - he was probably 5 or 6 months old - sitting out in the backyard, petting him, and thinking to myself "This is MY dog... and nobody is EVER going to be able to come and take him away from me." I still think that sometimes. It's a really comforting thought.

 

[Sweet72947]

I can't imagine life without a dog either. I get brief views into a dogless life when the dogs are at doggie daycare or we've dropped them off at the bording kennel the day prior to us leaving for PA for Thanksgiving, and its so empty in the house. I'll open the fridge or start preparing food for myself, and there's no big black dog begging. I'll go to the back door for something and there's no little terrier mix hoping to go outside for the millionth time that day. I don't like it!

And now that I know Opie, I don't know how I survived all this time without a mastiff! I always want to have a mastiff in my home now. When I finally CAN have him.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Honestly? I'd be fine.

I LOVE lucy more than anything, and I greatly enjoy going to the dog park or to agility, but it's not everything in my life. If I didn't have a dog, I'd go out after work with friends (can't now, since Lucy's alone all day, I can't just take her out to pee and disappear for 5 more hours), I'd go on more weekend getaway vacations, I'd sleep in later in the morning, I'd play soccer, I'd take music classes...

In short, dog activities are one way I fill my time, but definitely not my only interest--and I give up a lot of things I enjoy in order to properly take care of my dog.

 

[Fran101]

Im going through that now, and frankly, it stinks.

I love having a dog, i love everything about it. from walks, to feeding time, to play time, to that crazy dance they do when you come home...

Im alone here for college, and ya ya ya i miss my family and friends and stuff but I really do miss having a dog to care for. Ive basically come to the conclusion that I am definetly getting a papillon lol because I can't take it anymore

Dogs aren't my only interest, im sure I'd survive. but would I be totally happy? no.

 

[~Jessie~]

Not at all. Dogs are my life... I truly don't know what I'd do without one. Pretty much all of my free time is spent with my dogs, and I don't really have any hobbies or interests that don't include them. I'd be so lost.

This is how I feel as well.

Ian and I were talking about this last night, actually. Having dogs really makes our home feel like a home... it would feel so... sterile not having at least one dog.

 

[bubbatd]

.......I don't want to look ahead ......

 

[dobesgalore]

I was raised in an animal loving family. Always dogs and cats, and horses. Still to this day, my parents carry around a spare bag of dogfood, and will stop and give some to strays when they see them. Mom says she can't take them all in, but at least that is a meal to fill their bellies for the time being. Now, I'm raising my son the same way with dogs cats and horses. He and my husband both have a hard time watching animal cop shows on animal planet. My son always says thats so sad, why do people do that? And all I can say is that there are a lot of people out there who don't care for their animals the way we do. Then he'll say something like I would like to just bust em' in the privates. I can't imagine life without animals.

 

[Blue_Dog]

I was pretty much without a dog that I can remember until I was nine. But I don't really remember being miserable not having one. But when Blue died not only was I crushed that he was gone I was so alone. At the time I had 4 cats, 5 hamsters, 6 rats, 2 gerbils and even some fish but it was just horrible not having a dog. Sam doesn't fill every moment of my life and Blue didn't either but without them it is the most horrendous feeling ever.

 

[smkie]

Me either...ever never happen.

 

[Laurelin]

This.
Life was not the same after Happy and Kota moved out. I would turn around to say something to one of them... and they weren't there. I would move to pet one of them... and they weren't there. The lack of a dog was actually an overwhelming presence in my life.

I wrote when I brought Auggie home, "and it's like suddenly, all is right in the world." Without a dog, things just didn't feel complete. Something was missing. Auggie brought it back to me again. I still remember one day - he was probably 5 or 6 months old - sitting out in the backyard, petting him, and thinking to myself "This is MY dog... and nobody is EVER going to be able to come and take him away from me." I still think that sometimes. It's a really comforting thought.

Yep Summer was the best decision I think I've ever made. She makes a world of difference in my life. And now of course I have Mia to occupy my time even more, lol.

 

[k9krazee]

I was dogless for the first 7-8 years of my life, and for the the last 3 years I've been dogless while in college.

I used to spend every moment with my dogs, whether it's training, agility, cuddling, etc. It's been really hard not having a dog, but right now I'm focusing on school (and living vicariously through people on the forum). I graduate in May - just counting down the days!

 

[lizzybeth727]

I didn't have a dog the first 12 years of my life, and I can distinctly remember BEGGING my parents for one constantly. When we finally got our puppy when I was 12, I just remember being INSANELY fascinated with everything about her. She inspired me to make dogs my career.

When I went away to college, I lived in a dorm with no pets, of course. My last year, my roommate and I decided to get an apartment, and the first thing I asked was "Is it ok if I get a dog???" Even though pet-friendly apartments were extremely hard to come by, that was one thing we would not budge on. I brought Luna home the day after we signed the lease.

I can actually imagine not having a dog, and I'm sure when Luna dies (which will be NEVER!) I'll go through a period where I won't have a dog. But at this point, I can't imagine not working with dogs every day.