Thursday, May 6, 2010

If I Didn't Have Dogs...

I've been thinking that...

If I didn't have dogs, my furniture wouldn't need to be covered to protect it. I could sleep in until I wanted to get up, there would be no wet noses in my face telling me when it's time. If I didn't have dogs, the windows in my car and house would be clean...Well, maybe not...
If I didn't have dogs, I wouldn't be buying so many "odor eliminator" candles. I could eat dinner sitting on the floor and not have eyes watching me take each bite. There would be no one by my side, always following me around. But living in the country with no nearby neighbors, if I didn't have dogs I might need to invest in a "different kind" of an alarm system. But I would be able to walk in a straight line through my house.
But then again, with Carl now working nights sometimes, if I didn't have dogs what would protect me from those things that go bump in the night? And if I didn't have dogs, I wouldn't have anyone to tell and share my secrets with. I wouldn't get to enjoy the outdoors as much.Enjoying all the simple things in life, like a game of frisbee
might not be so apparent to me anymore.
The truth is, I wouldn't trade life as a pet owner for anything. I wouldn't want to experience a life without our crew. While they have broken my heart when they left, they have provided so much joy and everlasting friendship. My dogs have reminded me to live in the now and not so much in the past or the future. I think that our lives would be empty without them and I'm thankful that "they" are a part of my life!

32 comments:

  1. What a great pikhtorial illustration of our pawesome powers!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  2. I feel the same way.
    It's a chosen way of life, for some, it would not be suitable, too much clutter and chaos. Those of us who thrive on having fur babies in our homes, would have it no other way.
    You and your husband have huge hearts,and yet at the end of the day, I'm not sure who's filling whose need.
    Love those faces :)

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  3. I completely agree. Beautifully written!
    - Anne

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  4. I agree, Kim, with all you said about your dogs. I loved having my dobes especially when Tom worked night. Nobody wanted to mess with the Doberman Lady. Now that we have chickens things are a little trickier making sure we have a dog that will guard the hens and not turn them into lunch. I'm sure I could have a dobe again but I would need to start with a puppy. I think our animals keep us grounded in what is really important in life. Give your crew ear scratches from me.

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  5. What a beautifully thought out and inspirational post!
    You have lifted my day, made me smile and reminded me of the treasures our pooches hold!

    The bonus is (and I know I am biased) is that you also have GOLDEN RETRIEVERS! What incredible companions they are. I know all about having to pick a path over their sleeping forms.

    THank you, thank you, thank you for a wonderful post Kim...keep up the good work! We need well written blogs around!

    With lotsaluv and lotsalicks
    THE MAXPACK IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  6. I couldn't agree with you more Kim,and I love your pictures telling the 'story'.
    To my mind a house is not a home without our beloved pets.

    Bellaboo :0)

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  7. What a lovely post Kim and how refreshing to see the not-so-perfect side of dog ownership! I think the wet noses on glass is just the worst bit isn't it? ;-)

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  8. well said! i love the pic of them lying all over the floor! i can't imagine my life without dogs! hugs to your beautiful pack!!
    xoxo

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  9. Good Morning Kim!
    A very nice post, to say the least. When you get another one, it gets lost in the shuffle, but when you lose one, it's like the house is almost empty. I love the dog pictures!
    Have a good day!
    ~Sharon

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  10. That pretty much sums it all up. Just imagine the silence - no breathing ,so snoring - in a house without dogs. Guess its the difference between a house and a home !

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  11. God Bless you Kim - I just read your latest post with tears of joy streaming down my face - you truly are a gifted writer. I just LOVE your blog - love to see the "kids" the sweet wonderful crew. I look forward to your visit in June and see "who" you will bring along to surprise Ranger & me and also look forward to seeing you, Carl & the crew on the next visit to the farm in future.

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  12. I don't have any dogs, but my four cats give me the same feelings. They add so much to my life. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have animals to share our particular worlds with.

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  13. Truer words were never spoken. If their are no animals, we don't want to be there.


    Hamish & Sophie's Mom & Dad
    Sheila & Bob

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  14. Completely agree with you, Kim. I couldn't imagine my life (and I've had a doggie since 1972) without my best friends. Currently, it's 15+ year old mixed breed rescue Apples (suffering from mammary tumors) and 21 month old Golden Retriever Neeli.

    Enjoy your furkids!
    Nadine

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  15. Amen to that! Max, my little poodle sleeps with me. I hate early mornings, so when I get up I crawl to the sofa to lay back down and watch the news for a bit before getting ready for work. It doesn't take two minutes before Max is right behind me jumping up on the couch with me. Sometimes he drives me insane. "Out of the kitchen!" "Quit barking! That car was only driving by! Not stopping here!" "Get off of Minnie! Neither of you can make a baby, anyway!" But mostly he's my baby. I love to play with his soft ears, or squeeze the excess skin on his side. And I like playing keep away with him. I'm with you on all of that.
    ~Randy

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  16. How funny all their faces looking up. Bless them ! I couldn't be without a dog. When we got married, Roddy's mum said to my mum, " He will have to always live near the sea you know." My mum answered, "and Penny will always have a dog !" Both is true & we have always lived this way - but he grew up with dogs too and I like boats so even better !!!!

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  17. I just found your blog thru MAX's mom. You have more dogs than me!!! We have six here in the holler. I've thought the same thing - the furniture, the floors, the dander vs. the company and companionship, the forever love. Yep, I'd choose my dogs any day (well, there was that skunk attack back in '07.....
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  18. Ah Kim that's really sweet hun. We would love to have a dog but my son's asthma is triggered by dogs. Your crew are delightful, they really are. You should be so proud of yourself for what you do for them. Sue x

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  19. arhhh the joys of dog saliva on windows and doggy smells in very soft furnishing!!!!!!!

    bliss

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  20. I LOVED this post. Amazing, isn't it? How they manage to line up between you and where you want to go. And we have only two of them.

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  21. They're so sweet....what a blessed life!

    Liz

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  22. So sweet. Here I sit trying to read blogs and type comments with Tootie stretched out across my lap, helping me type and making all kinds of mistakes....but I love her little cuddles!

    Liz

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  23. Hi Kim, chickens can go broody pretty much whenever, but Spring seems to be a favorite time. From watching our hens I guess it depends on the chicken and her broody timetable. I got 4 more eggs.

    Love your porch/veranda! Is there a porch swing up there where you can sit and relax by your goldens and watch the world go by??

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  24. Kim,

    What a touching post and wonderful pictures. It summarizes just how I feel.

    Hugs,
    Lynn

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  25. Amen to all of that! Lady just endured 3 solid days of car riding, but never griped or asked me if we were there yet. Can't imagine being without a Golden face in my life.

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  26. Sounds like there are many more reasons to have a 4 legged friend then not! And all your pups look like they are full of so much love and joy ~ good stuff!

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  27. You melt my heart with the beautiful way you express your doggie love. It is so true. Seen your room of sleeping dogs is irresistible - it must be hard to decide who to smooch on first!

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  28. Holy golden retrievers and a wheaten terrier! You hit the nail on the head - I'm stunned typeless and brainless with what I could pawsibly add - except that I can't imagine having such a houseful! LOVE the picture of them all sleeping in that room - classic! Thanks for making such a beautiful post! Happy Mom's Day!
    Hugs xoxoxoxoxo
    Sammie and Mom

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  29. You make us all feel we are truly missing out by not having a Dog.
    I really wish I could have a dog to exercise with, cuddle and whisper secrets. I know I would feel safer if I was alone at nights also.
    I have the neighbours dog always run out to walk with me and it's a great comfort. I have had to train him not to jump on me and he has learned so much in a short time.
    I call him dingleberry because he was truly the dumbest dog(no training at all from the owners)
    He has really surprised me and I would love to adopt him and probably will one day because the owners don't really want him.

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  30. My sweet dogs are everything to me. I appreciate your ability to put my thoughts into words and pictures. Thank you so much for share them with us,
    LL for Sierra-dog

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  31. You are my hero. Hugs and admiration!

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  32. well said!!

    Gill in Canada and Molly who is still watching squirrel tv!!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!