A couple of recent memorial posts about dogs reminded me of this article, which someone posted a link to on the upland hunting forum I belong to.

There's a very deep bond between dogs and humans which doesn't seem to be there with other animals, and that is largely not understood.

That's really OK with me--we don't have to completely understand it to enjoy it and the bonds we have with our dogs. It goes back a long way.

There are some interesting ideas in the article.

Humanity's Best Friend: How Dogs May Have Helped Humans Beat the Neanderthals - Megan Garber - Technology - The Atlantic

For a long time my theory is that you buy the dog, but after not too long it owns you...but you don't mind.

Your dog will love you no matter what! It won't care how many guns you drag home, how much time you spend tinkering with your toys, ect.

Dogs. They add life to just about everything... children, men, women, entire families.

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i love my doggy!

After reading that article i am going to add this comment. The more people i meet the more i love my dog. Because dogs unlike people a dog does not care what you look like, or how much money you make. All that they ask for is to be fed and taken care of and they give lots of unconditional love in return.

I'm on my eighth German Shepherd. Years ago, I read this and it still rings true today. "THERE IS ONLY ONE SMARTEST DOG IN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND EVER LITTLE BOY OWNS HIM."

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Don Mundell

This is kinda weird I guess

Carolina Camera: The Original Motorcycle Dog - YouTube

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SOS USA

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

The nicest dream I've had recently had my best dog, Annie, coming back and hanging out with me.

I've had two Golden Retrievers in my life, they both have brought me years of happy memories and I couldn't really imagine the past 20 or so years without them.

RIP Chelsea.

I like it!

When I was a kid in the Summer, everyday it was me and Tippy at the lake fishing. To this day I really can't find a better pal that I had back then.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

As I sit here reading this, The love of my life, Heidi, is sitting next to me licking her butt.
Dang, I love that girl.

Wingmaster

A special bond between a man and a good dog. It's hard to explain
and i'm not a writer but as i'm typing this my buddy, "Rudy"
is laying next to me and tapping on my arm everytime i quit
scratching his back. Our pets give us love unconditionally.
Here's my buddy:


Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

To err is human. To forgive, K-9.

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2 Blessed 2B Stressed

I miss all my old 4 legged friends. Sheba, Otto, Chico, Zeke, Kane, and Kris, every one different, every one special. I've had Dolly (avatar) for over 12 years now. She has been the strangest, and least affectionate, of the bunch, but I love her just like I did the others.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

It's very odd to me but if anyone had told me years ago how I'd feel about my dog I would have though they were insane. I can't explain it as most probably can't. There is a unique relationship with these furry friends that is totally different and deeper in many respects than for many others...for me anyway.

My boy in the past two years has had problems with corneal ulcers. the first time was in late 2009 and it took months to heal even after antibiotics and a grid keratotomy, debriding that area and rechecking weekly with a stain dropped in his eye and looked at with a special black light. All in all it cost me about $950. About a year later the same thing happened to the other eye but they got it under control and healed in less time than before.

I hope it never happens again but I'd do all I could for him regardless. He's priceless and I'd do for him like I would a three year old grand child. They are special indeed. Some see them as a yard ornament or leave them out in freezing weather. My boy sleeps beside me in his crate within a few feet every night and we eat together each meal. I trim his nails, brush his teeth, groom him twice a week clean his ears and give plenty of belly rubs. Yep, love that boy dearly.

Guys at work talk about their kids/grand kids and I just smile and tell them, kids are for people who can't have dogs.

I'm a true dog lover and I can't understand how some people treat their dogs. I couldn't sleep at night knowing what I see on TV is true and has happened and how the slightest thing will cause some to just give them up as if they're noting but an old rag.

You might be a dog guy if...

You have serious conversations with others re the relative merits of different vacuum cleaners.

The comb in your pocket contains foxtails & clumps of hair that in no way resembles your own.

You have as much hair as I do & still carry a comb.

You consider dog hair a condiment.

The pockets in every piece of clothing you own have biscuit crumbs in the bottoms.

It makes your day when the checker at Walmart puts your items in several of the smaller bags vice one big one.

You get outraged when there is talk of outlawing plastic bags at grocery stores.

The back of your vehicle resembles an aisle at Petco, but with more loose hair.

You remember to toss an extra bottle of water in the back seat but forget your coffee.

I don't know who the fool was who coined the saying "Money can't buy love." But he has never been to a animal shelter. The older I get the more I like dogs. I actualy always LIKED them. But I didn't really appreciate them when I was younger.

ColColt;
That was one of the most moving pieces I've ever read. Thanks for posting it. Dogs are pure devotion and never ask for much.

I like my dogs more than I like most people.They are more faithful and understanding when you're having a bad day. I also wouldn't let most people chew up my flip flops. LOL!

"To Err is Human, to Forgive is Canine".

When Gracie jumped out the car window at 55 mph, I was really pissed that the window had been open, and even more pissed about the $2500 it cost to repair her broken pelvis. But there wasn't really any choice.

It's not like I have a lot of cash on hand. If the same thing happened to another of my dogs today, I would not be able to pay the bill.

You'd be surprised at the people that would have just kept going. Others would have had her put down or just have left her there. I salute you for your concern, integrity and for taking care of her!!

Ditto! I'd type more but there's somthing wrong with my monitor.

I can't take credit for stopping, as I was not there. My wife had Gracie in the car, and had the window part way down. I would have stopped, of course, but had I been in the car, the window would not have been open that far in the first place. I used to harp on the subject, and insist the windows not be open enough for a dog to get out. Shelly won't make the same mistake again, I'm sure.

If may add another comment to this thread. I LOVE MY DOG!

How much would unconditional love cost?

You won't find it in human beings other than good parents.

I have one finally statement to add to this thread. I would rather have a dog than a beautiful wife. The reason that i say that is because a wife can cheat on you, take all your money, she can go out and party all night. But a dog on the other had will do none of those things. As long as it is fed regularly and treated well a dog will give nothing but unconditional love. Sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the s&w forum.

Even us cat people recognize the different bond there is with a dog. even though we joke about how the one cat is bonded to me almost like a dog--it's still not the same (he is a lot like a dog tho-he waits at the door and cries for me when I'm not home. always has to be right next to me--wherever I am in the house. Couch, bed, kitchen, shower, scares people off the porch--he is always right there! but no car rides or fetching.

I kind of miss having a dog. But my lifestyle would be unfair to a dog. So would my husband. If it barks, he doesn't want me to bring it home.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Saw one that said

The more people I meet in life the more I love my Dog

It's no suprise to me that most people like dogs. The mystery is...Why do they like us so much?

Because they bring out the best in us.

(Well, Most of us. The others can pound sand)

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Dum vivo cano

Not long after I started seeing Shelly, her boxer had a litter with a black lab. Chauncey was my pick of that litter. One of my best buddies said, "Long after that gal is a faint memory, that dog will still be around."

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Eleven years later, Shelly and Chauncey are both still here.I guess she knows a good dog, too.

Speaking of the Human/Dog Connection, it don't get any better...gotta love them Corgis

Lance the Corgi Tricks pt 3 - YouTube

55 but still just a boy & his dog:

we have opposable thumbs and can work the can opener for them.

Oh, that's cats. Nevermind.

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Soli Deo Gloria

No, it's dogs:
A Boy and His Dog (1975) - IMDb

Sometimes late at night, flipping through Netflix, I *almost* choose that movie about once a week. i think maybe this is the week.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Okay, but I only cited it for the one narrow point. Be advised that it is not for everyone, and there is some misogyny there that I don't necessarily endorse, except as wicked satire. If you like it, I can only suggest that you try I Was Dora Suarez, by Derek Raymond.

The McNeil liked it. Will try Dora Suarez.

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Soli Deo Gloria

Ruger (Shepherd/Ridgeback mix) is 97 pounds of muscle and solid ivory teeth(smiles a lot at folks he dosen't like) and love. He is the biggest dog I have ever had and the most lovable. And yes I had a dog named Colt(Black Lab) and a pair named Smith and Wesson (Chocolate and Yellow Labs). Don't want to have to name another dog (Kel-Tec?).

Here is one Akita's story:
Hachik

Soon or late, every dog's master's memory
becomes a graveyard;
peopled by wistful little furry ghosts
that creep back unbidden, at times,
to a semblance of their olden lives.

~ Albert Payson Terhune

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

That was a great movie. Sad but great. I think it was one of Richard Gere's finest.

I enjoyed it. I also watched the original film (Japanese with English subtitles) on YouTube. Both are good with the Japanese film being quite long and drawn out but the scene with the Professor and daughter's girlfriend was hilarious!

Those that haven't heard of the story, Hachiko was a true story about a dog and its owner, a university professor. Its a remarkable story and a tearjerker.

It was a good movie. I'm not really a Richard Gere fan, he usually mumbles too much, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it.