JiggityJig -- I agree with you 100%.
I love my dogs and let them be dogs. They are happy, playful, and affectionate - and not very spoiled.
They are both very well adjusted and have never minded staying home if I go anyplace (work, etc) without them. They never make a peep and are the happiest little things in the world when I get back home.
They have never suffered separation anxiety. From the first day I had them, I encouraged them to be independent and not dependent on me. They both love to go for sleepovers at my daughter's house and my sister's house and have a lot of fun.
I would never miss anything important or that I wanted to do because I couldn't take my dogs with me.........
I take my dogs wherever they are welcome and enjoyed. And, if this isn't the case, they stay at home - and it doesn't bother me or them a bit. Some people just aren't as crazy about our dogs as we are. Why should they be?
And, to be honest, a couple of my friends have dogs that I wish they'd leave at home when they come to visit me -- for numerous reasons - barking - peeing - fighting - being rowdy - etc. I actually told one of my girlfriends that she and her husband couldn't stay at my house for four or five days with their three little dashunds. They aren't potty trained (this is a real problem with three of them), and they fight with my dogs (who have never even growled in their life). PLUS - she told me her dogs have totally ruined the carpets in her house.
Like you - I think it's crossing the line a little - if you put your dogs before your family and friends and things that you want to do.
At my house, we can all come and go or stay at home alone and be happy - and I live a normal life ---even though I am a pet owner.
Carol Jean
**** No - my dogs aren't perfect - they have "accidents" from time to time. And - they don't like dog food......I have spoiled them as far as food is concerned. (I wish I hadn't done this - I'm paying for it...) |