Thank you all

This is a great site for all us dog nutcases.  What type of dogs do you have?

It is a great site. I'm totally hooked! I have a 12 month old labradoodle and an 11 month old labradoodle.

You are in the right place. We are so passionate about dogs that we have heated and long-drawn debates on nutrition, training, etc. Like you, I have to be careful when we go to the shelter to donate. It would be so easy to bring one home. I've seen enough Huskies and Husky mixes at our little shelter to start a competition-worthy team of 4 to 6 dogs. If I wasn't careful, I would be up to 18 to 20, worthy of the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest.
 

I love your dogs...
absolutely adorable and squishable...

Squishable, I like that! And thanks I love them too.

You're definately not alone..
I was also amazed when I saw all these dog-crazy people all in one spot. It's like hitting the jackpot [] And then you get addicted......

I have a couple of fellow "pet nuts" at work, but I spend quite a bit of time here, chatting with the iDog gang. You will learn a lot and we will get new info from you, so it's a two way street!  Welcome aboard.

There's nothing like finding a group of people who don't react with shocked faces or shakes of the head when you express something passionate about your dog and his/her importance in your life (not that we see each others faces, but you know what I mean).
 
This site can be whatever you need it to be - some friendly chat or photo exchanges with other dog lovers, a huge source of information about things you want to research regarding dog care, and/or support when you are dealing with difficult things, whether it involves pets or not.  I've found more info here than I can list, and the variety of people and dogs is really great. 
 
P.S. - Your dogs are gorgeous - just love the coats!  Definitely snuggly bears!

Im hooked.

Ditto

I've been posting here for about three years now, since I got Willow.  I first found this site when I was desperately looking for training help on the internet and just stumbled across it. 
 
It's changed a bit but the one thing that has stayed the same is the hearts of the posters, the new ones and just as great as the ones that have been here.  And, I love seeing all the different breeds and getting to "know" the daily lives of everyone. 

Hi,  before finding this site my friends were starting to make feel bad about how much I love Romeo, they would ask me "what is wrong with you?" or would say "he is just a dog".  I found this site, and I am so happy,  and just love all the dogs!!!

Tracy,
 
That is so true. I had the experience of that look today. My sister-in-law (who I haven't seen in a few years) was visiting with my mother-in-law. She also brought her two grandchildren who are afraid of dogs. Well anyway, when I was talking about what great dogs they were she just had this look on her face like can we talk about something else that's important. It was really getting on my nerves. She said soemthing about keeping them outside and i told her i wouldn't stick my daughter outside all day on an extremely hot and humid day like today so i wasn't going to keep my dogs out there all day. I left them out a lot but then left them back in when they came to the door. I kept the dogs confined to the family room and kitchen with baby gates but the little boy kept coming through and leaving them open. It was almost like her was trying to torment them. I quickly told him to knock it off.
 
Funny thing is that my sister-in-laws husband loved them and was constantly petting them.
 
It just annoyed me as she always does. Since I'm venting just one more thing, I made a very nice dinner and everyone sat in the kitchen talking while I was preparing it. Well she never lifted a finger or even offer to help or clean up. Her husband helped me clean up as did my husband but she just sat there. nice huh?
 
Well thanks for letting me vent. I just don't understand how someone can't thing dogs are just the most wonderful thing. I always tell my husband i'd rather be with a bunch of dogs than a bunch of people. Oh well.
 
See ya
renee

Renee, you just might have to adopt the lifestyle that we did:  we simply don't have any guests in our house who aren't dog lovers.  Obviously, this is hard to do when it involves immediate family members (luckily all ours are pet lovers).  But after a couple years of stressing through dinner gatherings with people who were either uncomfortable with or flat-out afraid of Tonka, we said ENOUGH.  We didn't enjoy the gathering if we had to spend the whole time keeping him away from certain guests, or feeling bad that he's confined to his crate, in another room, etc.  It's our house, and our house involves dog hair, dog slobber, etc.(or it did when Tonka was still alive).  People who can't tolerate that in exchange for a fun gathering (including awesome food, as my husband is an amazing cook), then they can socialize with someone else!
 
As for people who don't offer to help, that's another topic.  Generally speaking, I prefer to deal with the kitchen stuff alone (too many cooks spoil the stew).  But, I appreciate the OFFER to help, even if I decline it.  There are good guests and bad guests, and it sounds like your SIL is towards the not-so-good side!