Useful dog...

[Gempress]

My husband and I were talking about my mom's maltese last night. He scoffed and said "She's cute and cuddly and all, but that dog is pretty useless."

I said "So, how useful is Zeus? He's not a hunting dog. He's the world's worst guard dog. He loves strangers and doesn't even bark." As I listed all the dog jobs that Zeus *doesn't* do, the hubby starting frowning.

He finally bursts "Zeus is useful, darn it!" Then he preceded to call Zeus over for a bit of cuddling, and to tell Zeus not to listen to a word I say, and that I'm just a big meanie.

Anybody else have "useful" dogs?

 

[sparks19]

HECK YES Teddy is a great seat warmer which works out well in the winter lol

 

[Renee750il]

Ah, well, mine actually do work . . .

But Shiva is particularly useful making sure no peanut butter ever sits past the expiration date

 

[Kaleigh'sAdrienne]

I have one of those useless dogs Adrienne does nothing but eat, sleep, play, poop, and get fat but she's wonderful for cuddling with

 

[Sunnypup]

lol Gem, Tim is the same way. He's allowed to say ANYTHING he wants about the dog...I say something and I'm a big meanie and poor little sunny come here for some cuddles
As for useful...Sunny DOES find my car keys, and is amusement useful because he sure as anything makes me laugh. He cleans my nose for me (eew), "pre washes" any dishes that need it, and warms me up while I'm on the couch. He's also a wonderful alarm clock,even on weekends when I DON'T NEED ONE, Got that Sunny?!

 

[sparks19]

Teddy always gets my slippers for me




I mean BEfore me lol

 

[Gempress]

Ironically, part of the reason we got a dog in the first place is to have a watchdog. We wanted a large dog who would be friendly when introduced to strangers, but bark an alert whenever the doorbell rang or people came near the yeard. Leave it to us to adopt the world's only silent hound.

Well, I guess Zeus does do some jobs. He's a wonderful couch warmer, especially for a dog who's not suppossed to be allowed on the couch. He stands by when I'm cooking, so he can clean up any stray pieces that fall. And, he is Number 1 Kitty's favorite toy. But I have to admit, there is nothing better than snuggling with a large dog.

 

[Meggie]

Quincy's useful as a greeter, lawn fertilizer, lap/foot warmer and fearless dust-bunny slayer.

One lovely fall day I opened the front door to catch a fresh breeze, our screen door doesn't lock. Went downstairs to change the laundry but figured I'd only be a couple minutes. Use your imaginations about my reaction when a male voice said "Hello" behind me as I was bent over putting laundry into the dryer! It was our furnace guy, he was supposed to come the next day but was in the area. Guess he called out several times, but I'm half deaf and didn't hear him over the washer noise. I knew him from several 2 am shivering emergency calls before we got our new furnace, but Quincy didn't. I guess he barely made it through the living room because Quincy kept bringing him his rubber chicken to play fetch with, LOL. Guess I'm safe from intruders who are allergic to dogs or have severe rubber chicken phobias. Oh yeah, doors are always locked solid now!

 

[Gempress]

LoL! Rubber chicken phobias!

Last night, a friend of mine came to visit. Zeus had never seen him before, but greeted him politely (and silently) at the door. My friend sat down on the couch. Zeus gave him a sniff, decided he was "snuggable", and preceded to smoosh as much of himself as possible between my friend's legs, and rest his big head on my friend's lap. Such a wonderful guard dog....

 

[fastpitchchic]

My boys are great bed warmers...and they are great to talk to, they don't talk back (most of the time) and they always listen. They have this way of making me laugh and feel better when I've had one of those days.

 

[Love4Pits]

lol Gem, Tim is the same way. He's allowed to say ANYTHING he wants about the dog...I say something and I'm a big meanie and poor little sunny come here for some cuddles
As for useful...Sunny DOES find my car keys, and is amusement useful because he sure as anything makes me laugh. He cleans my nose for me (eew), "pre washes" any dishes that need it, and warms me up while I'm on the couch. He's also a wonderful alarm clock,even on weekends when I DON'T NEED ONE, Got that Sunny?!

Yeah I have 7 of those pre washers in my house lol.

 

[Saje]

Mine are useful! Nanook and Mikey are good guard dogs and Maverick is my lifeguard I didn't get them for that but that's what they do

 

[mojozen]

Mojo is my therapy dog. He keeps me from getting too depressed in the winter. If I get too stressed out, or angry, or crying he's right there with his big pittie smile, and playbows.

He's also a great alarm clock. He generally starts waking me up a half hour before my alarm does, but understands that sometimes i have to "hit" his snooze button for some extra zzs with him cuddled up to me for warmth and comfort.

He's also the only reason I get any every-day exercise. I have severe asthma but I still walk my dog even when I am wheezing. And sometimes the exercise of getting outside with him for his walk can also alleviate my bad moods.

He's useful in a useless way.

 

[filarotten]

Gem, your husband is not the first person to make the statement about little dogs being "useless". My son and bestfriend have both said this about little Maggie.(they only like large breed dogs) Maggie doesn't do any real work, (she does work at dragging toys into her den of destruction under my bed and removing the stuffing) but she is a loving affectionate member of our family. It's kinda nice to have a dog you can actually pickup and place on your lap that actually fits.
The two big dogs don't actually work either,they are big lap dogs that don't fit on anyones lap. However,they sure are huggable,snuggable,and great at keeping my feet and legs toasty. Nothing like a big fur coat to keep you warm.

 

[panzer426]

both my dogs are very usefull. they rub their noses all over the car and house windows so that theives cant see inside. they pull the bath mat/towel thing away so that when one of us steps out of the shower we put our feet on the cold tile floor. they chase the birds and squirrels away from the bird feeders and baths so that thos elazy wild animals dont get too fat. both are great watchdogs, one is a good guard dog. most of all they are two of the best companions my wife or I could ever want.
the cat on the other hand...he is useless.

 

[corykins22]

my pups are useful too! marley is getting kinda big, so maybe his size will scare off any intruders, even though if they came in im sure marley piddling on them would make them leave! he also has a very manly bark, he even had it when he was itty bitty, from another room he sounds like a 100 pound dog! shelby, she is good watch dog, she decides who she likes and doesnt and only barks at those she doesnt trust. thats neat, otherwise they are both big lap dogs and do a great job! however, i would like to teach shelby how to get me a beer from the fridge! wouldnt that be neat?

 

[Dixie]

My actually has a job he fetches stuff for me and keeps me occupied should I ever hint at him that I might actually be bored, hehe.

But seriously hes an excellent playmate and is a great camping partner!

-Dixie

 

[oc_spirit]

Hmmm OC is actually a working dog...BUT he is also a great cuddler, pre-washer of dishes, and cute model for pictures!

 

[Sheba]

LOL, Wendy is only NOT good at turning on the TV If she tried, she could open the fridge and freezer, considering she can stand on her two back paws and dance. She waves her front arms and paws up and down, up and down. It is incredibly funny!Although, I do think she does in on accident because she is trying to keep her balance LOL!
Wendy does warm up the loveseat.She's on it for who knows how long, jumps off, I lay down, and its hot!
I then continue to steal her "spot" and watch TV!It is so funny, but she does have an aggressive side if she wants to show it! Once, two Sundays ago, when my cousins' pittbull was over, (about 5 or 6 months old), was playnig with Wendy at my dad's house. He was aggressive in the puppy way, jumping up and nipping and all that, well, Wendy is smart. When she is standing there under attack, she suddenly leaps to the side but her butt stays right where it is!She keeps jumping every this way and that, swinging her butt and all! How did I ever get into this story, anyways?LOLZA!

 

[lucille]

My dogs actually are useful, they are 'doorbell dogs'. I have a tiny house but I do have a bit of a hearing impairment, when someone comes to the door they bark.
Plus I have a lot to do, but I get to go outdoors with them and see my garden and watch them play, so they help keep my life in balance (as do my other pets).