[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by dryoasis88

I can really relate to the feelings you have expressed. I am 24 and I have had Hepburn for 2 and a half years now. When I first got him, I was living alone in a foreign country with no family around and no steady relationship. I wanted a dog because I was missing that consistency in my life. I wanted someone to come home to, someone to love me even on my worst days when I barely left the house and ate ice cream in front of my computer while watching American TV online and reevaluating my decision to live in a country where Ben and Jerry's is so expensive and only comes in 5 flavors. I still live alone and I still live abroad, but my support system has grown by a handful of really great friends and a fantastic "adopted family" who I work for as a part-time nanny.

The first 8 months were really hard. I had university classes and work and wanted to go out with my friends sometimes, but I had to make some sacrifices to have Hepburn. I had many nights after he had had a particularly challenging day when I lay awake in my bed thinking, was this really what I wanted when I decided to get a dog? In fact, I still have those nights! I am having one today, he ate a pencil yesterday and I am still waiting on a splintery poop and he peed on me while I was sitting on the couch because I wouldn't play with him while I was writing my Bachelor's thesis. (This is a very abnormal behavior though)

In the end, I love him so much and I could never imagine my life without him. He is there every day to greet me and even if I had the worst day ever and I feel like nothing can go right, he gives me kisses and wants to cuddle. He even licks the ice cream from chin while I am moping and the tears from my cheeks when I cry (mostly while watching sappy TV or movies). Yes, I go out less and I plan things sometimes around having to be home to take him out. Yes, I have had rough patches and times where I trusted no one to watch him, sometimes not even myself. But I found friends who I trusted and I learned to let go. Imagine how hard it will be if you plan to have children and try to take having a dog as getting you ready for that.

I have grown as a person and become more responsible and more ready to be a "real adult" (you know, with a real job and bills and your own place and all that). I hope that you find the same peace with your dog, but I know that your situation is not the same as mine. If you want to talk about anything, just PM me and I will be glad to listen and try to help.
Oh and take a training class, you will get to know your dog better and feel more connected to the situation.

This happened to catch my eye. Is it possible he has a UTI?