Survey - why did you get a dog?

I had dogs most of my life growing up, however I consider my first dog as Reese, I got him shortly after graduating from college.  I was living on my own and he was  100% my responsibility.  I guess I would say apart from just always loving dogs, I got Reese for companionship.  I wanted a dog to snuggle up with, hang out with, walk with, etc.  I would have to say Reese completely changed my life.  Not only did he provide me with companionship, but he opened up new doors that I may never have gone through without him.  I started taking him to obedience classes.  I enjoyed it so such we wanted to go further and started agility classes.  From there I met many doggie friends and also joined the local kennel club.  I have made many friends through the years and had a great time going to dog shows, I would never have done these things if it wasn't for Reese.  Even though Reese is gone now, I have to thank him because without him I would never have become an agility nut or have met many of my close friends. []

I got a dog because for the first time in my adult life, I had the time to devote to one

 
Ditto for us. I've always wanted a dog. Shadow was perfect for us and we for him. He was destined to be PTS later that week or the next.
 

I got a dog cause in another year I'll be living the empty nest syndrome and I'm not sure I can handle it
kidding
I like the companionship of a dog. I adore my cats but with relationship with a dog is different.
Nothing like looking into the eyes of a dog and seeing the trust and love in there. Wish DH would do that ROFL

Great thread topic!
 
The catalyst for me getting a dog is that some friends moved into town and promptly announced they were getting a puppy - it awakened a long-dormant desire in me to have a dog. (I'd always wanted pets as a child but my parents weren't pet people.) My boyfriend (who had a similar dog craving) and I suddenly realized we were in a perfect situation to get one - we had a nice apartment with a yard, we both had flexible jobs (me self-employed, him with a job that he could bring a dog to), and we were doing fine financially.
 
I guess that's sort of the superficial reasoning, but why did I get a dog... well, I'm kind of an introspective person, often quiet, and on the one hand I enjoy just being alone reading a book or walking through the woods, but being wrapped up in my head can get a little stuffy at times. A dog is the perfect accompaniment to my quiet times (and my less quiet times []) and turns my thoughts outward in a way that I feel is healthy and makes me happier - never before getting a dog would I sit on the grass and consider the sound of birds chirping for any length of time, but now I find that kind of thing very peaceful and satisfying.

I've had at least one dog my entire life.  The only exception was the 6 1/2 weeks between the time our Husky/GSD died and the day we adopted Mick, and, even with an almost 3 year old and an 8 1/2 year old, I was still lost.  There are days I swear I don't want another dog after Mick, but, to be totally honest, I can't imagine my life without one.  Dogs are as much a part of me as breathing.  I'm just not me without one.

After I lost my husband to drunk driver and had a miscarriage because I saw the accident happen, I sunk into a very deep depression.  I quit working, I withdrew from the world to the point I would not even go out for groceries (I'd have them delivered) I lived like this for almost a year.  I would just sleep, cry and watch TV. Reading the paper one morning, I saw the Dog Show was coming to Houston and thought that would be cool to go to.  The first day of the show I found myself taking a shower and getting ready to go out, it was the first time I was venturing out of my house in 11 months.  I went to the dog show, fell in love with the Border Collies, became obsessed, started researching the breed, talking to vets, people who owned them, looking at rescue clubs on the internet, until one day late in the evening, I came across Romeo on CAPS website and I recognized a little bit of my loneliness and pain in his eyes, but Romeo, was not what I wanted, I wanted a female and a puppy, he was 6 yrs old.  This was on a Saturday, on Sunday 08-08-2004 I went to the shelter, they told me Romeo was no longer available, they showed me a border collie puppy, but as I was getting ready to leave, I felt a scratch on my leg, I looked down and it was Romeo, he had left the side of the family who was filling out the papers came over to me and was looking so intensely at me and me at him, that the lady decided I should have him, the rest is history.
 
I don't know if my reasons for getting Romeo were right or wrong, I was lonely, I wanted companionship, I did not want to be bothered by people telling me I had to get over loosing my husband and unborn child, I thought I could talk to a dog and he would listen and not judge.  I would not trade this past 2 yrs for anything in the world, Romeo showed me how to live again, and for that I will always be in his debt.
 
People at the shelter always thank me for saving him, he had already been returned 3 times, and was going to be put down, but they don't know it was Romeo who saved me, because from the moment I saw the add on the paper for the dog show, I started to live again.
 
Sorry for the long post. []

Olinda, what a moving story, thank you so much for sharing!  I got Lily when I was 21 and needed a friend. At the time, I hated my roomate I was living with.  She was 4 months old, and she has been my constant savior throughout the 3.5 years tht I have had her.  I love her more than anything.  At the time I got her, I was also severly depressed.  There is no other therapy like a like on the face from a dog. 

My husband and I both love dogs and we both had out different experiences with family dogs growing up.  He had a family dog that lived inside with them and I had three hunting beagles, my godfather had a German shorthaired pointer and my cousin who I spent almost every weekend with, he and his wife had a collie. 

We didn't get a dog right away because we were renting and I just figured that nobody would accept pets and I didn't want to get my hopes up because I REALLY did want a dog.

Well, DH is a musician and one weekend his band went up to Vermont for a private party.  That's were he found Willow, at the party, tied to a tree.  She was a mess and he knew it but it was like the band were the only ones who could see what kind of situation they had her in, nobody else even questioned it.

He spent the weekend petting her and talking to her and she was quite sweet.  He told the guy what I nice dog he had and he then told DH they were going to put her down, that she was too mean.  He said she had tried to bite his wife a few times.  They had horses and other animals including a FULL timberwolf on the property and he said they were all going. 

DH called and asked me if I wanted her and once I found out what she was I said NO.  I wasn't up for a chow with no socialization, etc.  I didn't know the extent of what I was eventually going to go thru but I DID have an idea that I wouldn't be able to handle her. 

Well, he couldn't leave her there, he took her anyway.  And, she's been here three years now.   I can't imagine my life without her now.  DH always asks me what if he had left her when I said no.  She's a great friend, keeps me company as DH is away with the band a lot, she's good protection at night when I'm alone.  As others have said, I exercise and get out a lot more with her.  I don't feel guilty staying home all day but I do feel bad if she's cooped up. 

The original owners did get rid of all the animals left there and moved.  They never called ONCE to see if Willow was OK.  And, they gave DH the leash and that was it that day.  No food, no toys, she had nothing. 

Sorry this is so long but that's how we got her.

We got the first dog after begging for years, and my dad finally gave in. My mom went over to the shelter to fill out the paperwork, and we were supposed to go back together after school that day to pick out the dog. But, while she was there, someone brought in a dog, and the shelter said they if she turned it in, it would be pts, because of severe seperation anxiety. So, as I walked out of school and down to my car, my friend came walking up to me with my dog. She did have severe seperation anxiety, and she was an escape artist, so we rearranged as much as we could so that we wouldn't  leave her at home alone for the first summer we had her. So, we pretty much ate all at drive thrus, and when we went to stores, someone would stay out with the dog and walk around the parking lot.
We got Millie after the first dog was hit by a car. We got her the day after, because we just needed a dog. Max we got pretty much because we thought Millie would like a companion, and we couldn't have done that with the previous dog, because she was very dog aggressive. We kinda like two dogs together. It's fun watching them play, and they entertain each other better than any humans ever could.

I was volunteering at a Dobe rescue every week to get my fix of dogs and the breed (I lived in an apartment that didn't allow dogs.)  I was searching for a new apartment and intended to get an older male and let him live out his retirement with me.  Puppy?  Please!!
 
A litter of 11 pups were born at the shelter to a dam (and sire) who'd been surrendered 2 days before.  Both dogs were terrific - it's not often in rescue you get to see and know the personalities of the mom and dad of your dog.  I still never considered choosing a pup, despite dandling them every week and smooching on the 2 big fat boys I liked the most... until a friend suggested I get the black female.  After weeks of consideration and talks with the trainer on staff who said she was a tough puppy but I'd be perfect for her, I finally edged toward the decision.  The fact that she was the 2nd to the last pup left was my cue that she was DEFINITELY meant for me (I'm a fatalist like that - if I wait and it's gone, then it's not meant to be.)
I picked her up on my birthday 3 years ago next month.  She was my "something to love" and care for.  She's been that and much more.  I turn inside out with pride when I see how beautiful she is, how smart, how many things she's learned.  And she didn't turn out to be the hellion all the shelter staff expected her to be - she's a sweet spirit. 

A good thread with some interesting and very moving stories.
 
My wife's Border Collie died, at 17 years old, shortly after we got married.  He had always been an outside dog.  All my wife ever had were outside dogs and that, at times caused her problems.  We live in the country and lots of people have outside dogs. 
 
She had a rott mix, for example, that liked to go down the road and whip the neighbor's dog.  The neighbor was not amused.  The dog, I am told, started chasing another neighbor's cattle.  The neighbor shot him, buried him and called my wife to tell her.  She had a Lab that was dumped at her house.  She had him neutered, but he still liked to roam.  Animal control picked him up, she never went to get him since she never really considered him "her" dog.  My wife, for all she has going for her, was not, in my mind, a responsible dog owner.  She just didn't know any better.
 
Shortly after the BC died, who was a great dog, the wife decided she wanted to get another dog.  As with most decisions like this, she sought my approval.  We had a serious discussion about HOW I SEE responsible dog ownership.  The position I took was that if we were going to have a dog, he would be an inside dog and we would train him so he knew how to behave.  Furthermore, we would not buy a dog, but would adopt one from a shelter or a rescue.  My wife and step daughter agreed to those conditions, so we began to look for a dog.
 
I really wanted another pit bull, but the wife and SD were opposed.  Since part of our agreement was that they could choose the dog, I didn't try to persuade them.
 
One day, we read in the paper that the local shelter was having an off-site adoption the following weekend.  We decided to head down there and see what they had.  There were several dogs there.  I immediately headed toward this young pit bull.  He was maybe 9 months old.  Typical of the breed, he loved everyone he met.  His idea of a proper greeting was to jump up on you and give your face a good lick. 
 
As I was scratching the pit's belly, I noticed my wife looking at some ugly, Border Collie looking mutt.  "Wonderful,"  I thought, as I grudgingly walked town to check out the dog who had her interest.  His handler said his name is Odie.  "He isn't nearly as cute as the pit bull," I said, apparently to no one.
 
To make a long story short, Odie went home with us.  He is a great dog.  Just perfect, for our life style.  He had been at the shelter for several months.  I know it is all in our minds, but we really think he is grateful that we gave him a good home.

I've wanted a dog of my own for years, but last fall two of my friends came to stay with me for a few months and brought their dog with them.   She was so well-trained, could go with them anywhere, and so fun to hang out with - every different from the dogs I had grown up with.   It gave me a new perspective on dog ownership and made me think this was something I could and really wanted to do.   Since we moved to Canada I have the time to spend and we know we're not going to be moving around all the time, so it was a good time to finally get a dog.

Having Louise come live with us has been the best thing I've ever done. 

My family always had dogs and cats while I was growing up, until my mid-teenage years. My mom had to go to work (she was a stay at home mom), so after the last dog passed we didn't get anymore. I always wanted a dog, but with college, getting married, divorced and moving around to different states, my life wasn't stable enough for me, let alone a dog. So it took a few years (or 10) to get my life straightened out, complete with a wonderful guy. We bought a house and waited a few years to fulfill our dream for a dog. We were blessed with Gracie. Gracie is such a GOOD dog.



EDIT: I guess I should add the Why of getting a dog. I love the interactivity of a dog. The playing, training, bond you share when working together. I love the challenges and rewards of having a cmpanion like a dog. My BF wanted a dog we could take places and do things with. I also thought it would be good training for the BF because he does want children at some point but has no idea what truly being responsible for someone's life and well being who is totally deendent on you is like. It has been a huge eyeopener for him. He's learning that just because you are tired and had a hard day at work, you can't ignore the needs of someone you are caring for.

My new husband was spending a lot of time traveling and I was lonely and nervous living out in the country.  I'd been thinking of seeking out a collie (the dog I always wanted, I thought), when we passed the box of puppies at a flea market.  I was ignorant as anything about dogs, so when I looked at the puppies and asked what kind they were, the lady said, shepherd mixes.  Shepherd, that's like a collie, right?  [8|]

Maggie grew into a fuzzy, red colored, hell-on-wheels young dog.  Her general shape and attitude suggested Husky but later we moved near a Husky breeder and I didn't even have to talk to her to realize Maggie had no other similiarity to her dogs.  Maggie would stay put if you drew a line on the ground - her dogs were behind six feet of chain link topped by electrified barb.  [sm=eek.gif]  The head, shape, size, and coat were all wrong, too.  Much later at a show I saw a Finnish spitz breeder and she identified my dog for me and told me lots of stuff I wished I had known from day one! []

Maggie was certainly active, however, and really smart - too smart for a first dog.  I had no notion of giving up on her, even though she periodically selected expensive items to consume whole, resulting in zero damage to herself though much damage to my pocket book (most memorable was an irreplaceable $900 silk blend business suit purchased at Saks).

Compared to the things she ate regularly, agility training and frisbee competitions were cheap!  So we got involved in canine sports, later adding flyball to the mix.  I found out that I was spoiled for any dog but a super-smart, super-athletic dog, and the dog that met that description (BC) was my sheepherding childhood dream dog anyway.  So Maggie got me involved in BCs, too, in the back door.