most heartwarming thing your pet does

Right now, I'm "riding the high" of her enduring 4+ hours of a St Patrick's Day parade where she was ooh'ed, aah'ed, patted, strangled in child neck holds, endured the unpredictability of drunk adult men and women, accepted beer from the "right" people while ignoring the jerky drunkards who think they "have a way with dogs", ignored the candy thrown at her, the beer spilled around her, even the broken bottles.  I'm sorry, she rawked thru all that, and it warms my heart that she was well-behaved, agreeable, and easy-going the whole time.  Even when I had to leave her tied to a pole while I went into a bar to pee and had to pay for and consume a beer in order to enjoy the privilege of the bathroom. I LOVE my dog for being THAT dog, who is smart and capable, who can also endure such messes and chaos... She is fantastic... and for that, my heart is warmed.

miranadobe

Right now, I'm "riding the high" of her enduring 4+ hours of a St Patrick's Day parade where she was ooh'ed, aah'ed, patted, strangled in child neck holds, endured the unpredictability of drunk adult men and women, accepted beer from the "right" people while ignoring the jerky drunkards who think they "have a way with dogs", ignored the candy thrown at her, the beer spilled around her, even the broken bottles.  I'm sorry, she rawked thru all that, and it warms my heart that she was well-behaved, agreeable, and easy-going the whole time.  Even when I had to leave her tied to a pole while I went into a bar to pee and had to pay for and consume a beer in order to enjoy the privilege of the bathroom. I LOVE my dog for being THAT dog, who is smart and capable, who can also endure such messes and chaos... She is fantastic... and for that, my heart is warmed.

wow, miranadobe -- you have much to be proud of!!  She sounds like an incredible dog!  Ride the wave!!

Since Cher had a great day moment today.

Cher, Bevo, & I made a trip to Petsmart this afternoon after tracking & obedience.  A small, yappy dog attacked Cher from behind, & she was pretty shaken up & jumpy afterwards.  I was trying to finish off our shopping, & get out of the store as soon as possible so that I could calm her down, & so that I could get the wounds on her back cleaned up.  As we were on our way to checkout, we were stopped by a family who had two boys.  One was in a wheelchair, & the other was using a walker to get around.  They asked if they could meet the dogs.  Bevo immediatley went over to say hi, & as I was trying to explain that Cher had just been attacked, & that she was really nervous, she interupted me by walking over the the boy in the wheelchair a putting her head in his lap.  She sat there, with her head in his lap, & eyes almost comletely closed, bleeding for almost five minutes, just as happy & content as could be. 

Even before the incident, I would have never expected her to react like that.  She doesn't care about other people, & generally, she ignores new people.  I expect for Bevo to handle any situation with grace, but I was so proud of Cher for pulling herself together, & handling herself so well.     

BEVOLASVEGAS

She doesn't care about other people, & generally, she ignores new people.  I expect for Bevo to handle any situation with grace, but I was so proud of Cher for pulling herself together, & handling herself so well.     

But she's also "changed" because of what she's been thru and it takes a while for them to process that.  I've known some dogs that weren't 'therapy dogs' at heart and really didn't give a flip about most people. BUT when they found that person who **needed them** at that moment, the heart answered!!    He needed her, and she needed him.  (Callie's own huge pet therapy thing -- it's not an just activity -- it's a meeting of minds between an animal and a human and when that precious moment happens -- it is awesome!!)

For me and mine? 

Wow -- For me with Billy it's that moment at bedtime when he jumps up on the bed, comes to the top and we sit for a few moments, forehead to forehead just communing.  It is OUR time ... it is beyond special and he knows how much *I* Need it.

Tink can be quite insecure -- and the looks sometime when she's trying HARD to interpret a situation  -- she tries far harder than most dogs I've had never to do the same things 'wrong' twice.  She may not get it right immediately but she tries and I find that very endearing.

Luna? I think with her it's those moments in pet therapy that really do NOT go well .... the kid who is rude, mean or ... somehow just NOT a child she likes.  She will look up at us, and we KNOW that "look" = she'll get rigid and both David and I can tell when she's not completely comfortable with a child for some reason (occasionally it's an adult) -- but she's good at communicating with body language that "hmm, I don't trust this one!!"

BUT SHE HOLDS!!!  She doesn't try to break or run, she never EVER gets ratty ... she just plain allows the petting, and obeys completely. 

We're both really careful to reward this hugely -- because it's sophisticated behavior -- but it always makes me so proud of her I could burst.  It IS the "flip side" of pet therapy -- there ARE children who need the contact with the animals -- and maybe it's their natural personality that's abrasive or off, or maybe it's a medicine side effect -- but it's just awesome to see Luna handle herself so well.

 Well even though my Toby has passed away I still remember how he always comforted me when I was upset. He loved to curl up next to me and I always that that was the cutest and sweetest thing.

With Simba, well he's still a puppy and I'm still getting to know him but I love how intelligent he is. He also loves to just sit and stare at the world, he's intrigued by everything. He also loves kids and is very gentle with them. 

punkchica321

 Well even though my Toby has passed away I still remember how he always comforted me when I was upset.

Just because they've crossed Rainbow Bridge doesn't take them out of our hearts -- in many ways it becomes the best memories of all.  It's how they live on in our hearts.  Thank you for sharing him with us.

calliecritturs

punkchica321

 Well even though my Toby has passed away I still remember how he always comforted me when I was upset.

Just because they've crossed Rainbow Bridge doesn't take them out of our hearts -- in many ways it becomes the best memories of all.  It's how they live on in our hearts.  Thank you for sharing him with us.

 

That's true! And no problem, I love talking about my Tobsty. 

This weekend was a tough one, as I had to put down my 14 year old golden retriever, Lucy. It was a day I knew was coming but that didn't make it any easier.

She could no longer stand up, so I spent our remaining time laying beside her. That's when something unexpected happened. One by one the other animals in the house came and laid with us, as if they were also saying goodbye. It was a very special moment.

Loopy

 

This weekend was a tough one, as I had to put down my 14 year old golden retriever, Lucy. It was a day I knew was coming but that didn't make it any easier.

She could no longer stand up, so I spent our remaining time laying beside her. That's when something unexpected happened. One by one the other animals in the house came and laid with us, as if they were also saying goodbye. It was a very special moment.

I'm so sorry for your loss. :( She had a good life I'm sure and that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

punkchica321

Loopy

 

This weekend was a tough one, as I had to put down my 14 year old golden retriever, Lucy. It was a day I knew was coming but that didn't make it any easier.

She could no longer stand up, so I spent our remaining time laying beside her. That's when something unexpected happened. One by one the other animals in the house came and laid with us, as if they were also saying goodbye. It was a very special moment.

 

I'm so sorry for your loss. :( She had a good life I'm sure and that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!

something similar happened with Sheba & Akyra the night before Akyra passed. Sheba who had been on crate rest for the last month - who could barely get around - hobbled out next to Akyra & layed down next to her.

I used to love when Akyra would sit with me, then look at me, with her head cocked down - then slowly lean/fall over into me burying her head into my chest. she was so affectionate. that and morning snuggles, she preferred not to sleep in bed, but loved jumping up there every morning and get right next to me, laying on her back and wiggle and grunt around like a little demon and sneezing, it happened every time. I knew a sneeze was coming. lol.

Loopy

 

This weekend was a tough one, as I had to put down my 14 year old golden retriever, Lucy. It was a day I knew was coming but that didn't make it any easier.

She could no longer stand up, so I spent our remaining time laying beside her. That's when something unexpected happened. One by one the other animals in the house came and laid with us, as if they were also saying goodbye. It was a very special moment.

Loopy -- I, too, am so sorry for your loss -- your story brought a tear to my eye. 

Loopy, I'm so sorry for your loss.  Run free, Lucy.  

The most heartwarming thing any of my dogs do is read my moods.  It never ceases to amaze me how in tune they are with my emotions.  I wish humans could be this perceptive of each other and of their dogs' feelings.

Erik gives the craziest, most child-like cuddles I've ever experienced from a non-human animal. He wriggles onto my chest, puts a paw on either side of my neck, and presses his cheek against mine. I am a woman! What am I meant to do?? He pushes all my maternal buttons when he does that. It's heartwarming because I'm a human and I'm not broken even if I don't want kids.

Kivi is just such a socialite. Every time two people or dogs are together, he appears in the thick of it, leaning on everyone and trying to lick faces. I especially love it when he shows what looks to me like concern for complete strangers if they are distressed. I had him at the vet one day and a sick dog had come out of surgery and looked miserable. He went over and started licking the dog's face. I thought it might not be into this intimacy from a stranger at this point, so I moved Kivi away. The dog came back a moment later for more kisses. Just a few weeks ago, Kivi deftly helped me prevent a fight and single-handedly calmed down one of the dogs while I looked after the other. It warms my heart that he is a very socially intelligent boy and I have nurtured it and watched it grow. I love that he cares if another dog is upset, whatever the reason.

 Maska - there's just something about a hound who walks up and gently lays his head in your hands...

Sioux - I can't even count... She took such gentle and good care of her dying daddy, she helped two kids learn to love dogs, she creates happiness and smiles wherever she goes, she gives older people joy as they touch her, she's a heart dog...

Sequoyah - Her genuine affection for those people she does like is astonishing and amazing.  Even though she's more the stockdog type, thus not everyone's friend, those in her inner circle certainly know who they are!  I don't know a dog who can wiggle better than she can when she greets a true friend.