I love dog and cat discussions, so funny! Brings out the best of both worlds!

Meant to write loving home not living home

I like to put it simply. Pets give some people joy and comfort, and make it worth the owner’s while.

They are not judgmental so you can have a bad hair day, or have suffered a stroke etc and they still like you. (They are looking forwards to their next meal, or pampering.) And they are always there. When you are alone, or by yourself, they are there.

I'm just wondering what service a 8 inch dog does for a 6 foot person in a store

You write
One.might be more than tempted to ask you the same question.

Maybe the person is epileptic and the dog alerts them to oncoming seizures.

Dogs are our members of out family
 

I never minded changing my kids and grandkids diapers. Sometimes it was Everywhere.
Love is not conditional. I pick up after my dog even when it’s freezing, raining or snowing out. I live in NYC. I have arthritis but it’s about love, not the chore. Any dog owner will tell you that what they get back from their furry family, far outweighs what they give.
I’m moving to TV in Dec. Feddi and I will se you soon.

The Villagers and Dogs
 

My dog and I participate in “Pet Therapy”. We go to nursing homes, memory care, assisted living and rehab. The joy that my little dog brings to people that need love and hope isn’t measurable. Many people don’t like dogs in the Villages and that’s ok. Many people do like dogs. If this is all you have to complain about, you are one lucky person.

Thanks for that quote, love it.

Exactly!

We love our pups and they love what we love , my pup is the best passenger I have ever had

Seems to have worked....:popcorn:

Dogs are our fur babies.
 

If you don’t like seeing people with their dogs just ignore them. My husband was like you until we got our puppy. He now loves that dog & wants her with us wherever we go. Events happen in life which we have no control. Depression anxiety loneliness are also illnesses that can’t be controlled. Instead of looking at the dog as a negative look at the dog as a companion who is making life so much better for someone in need of the dogs love. Owners will do whatever it takes to give their dog the love & care the dog needs. Don’t judge because you are not walking in other peoples shoes.

Have the same book and yes it tells us what many of us already know, dogs are magnificent animals & companions.

Welcome to both you and Feddi!

I’d never ever put my dog in the trunk of my car. As for my wife? Uhm…

I no longer have a dog. Love them and have had many of them during my lifetime. To me, animals are angels sent from GOD to remind us that the world is not all bad, and to give us comfort when we are down. I won't have another pet this late in my lifetime, because unlike humans, animals really suffer when they mourn their owners. I don't think any new owner would treat my pets the way I do or care as much, so I do not want to put them through that if I pass before them. However, a well trained animal is a confident animal. I learned years ago how to train my dog to go where I designated. I respect other people's property and would not think of allowing my pet to contaminate their lawn. It's just respect. You do not have to be an animal hater to ask folks to find some place else to allow their pet to relieve itself. Is it really different than if someone wished to use your yard as a toilet? If a drunk wandered onto your property and urinated in your roses, would you say "have a nice day" or would you suggest he find someplace else to relive himself? It's just respect. I would NEVER blame a pet for messing in my yard but I would blame the owner of the pet. It just shows that they do not respect you and they are subtly urinating on you.
I do not enjoy seeing animals in grocery stores or restaurants. I do not care if I see them in Lowes or Home Depot.
I have also seen those lazy pet owners that drive their cart while walking their dogs. Shame on them. On the other hand, my German shepherd used to enjoy trotting along beside me as I rode my bike around the neighborhood. I did not even need a leash because she was ALWAYS next to me. Even when she spotted a squirrel, she would remain in place. If I stopped to chat with a neighbor, she would lay down next to my feet. I loved that dog but had to give her up when I moved overseas. Thank goodness, we gave her to a family that loved her as much as we did, and spoiled her even more. It was like parting with a close family member.
Just saying that pets are special and deserve to be treated with respect and love. But, like I said I can't think of outliving a pet. I have seen pets mourn their deceased owners to the point that it would make the hardest and cold hearted break down and weep.
And just a note, I have had a dog in my foxhole. Couldn't ask for a better comrade in a bad situation.

How many toes do you have left????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

When I read here, and read comments from the kind, funny, helpful, and happy retires, I often start looking for homes in TV. I want to be part of that group. But there are always people like the OP and a few others that drive me away. Why are some, so negative in life and retirement. Hope the OP has an ounce of introspection and considers why are they so unhappy. Meds, therapy, or a good friend could help but please never get a therapy dog. You don't deserve one.

Our 2 oldest children, take in abused dogs, rehab them, and then find a home. Every other year take a puppy to train as a service dog. Plus they each have their own dogs. Both work full time. Their budget per year is $10,000, each, out of their own pockets, for vet bills, and needed multiple surgeries, food not included, which is home made, to get them to a healthy weight.

Both of their homes can be calm, and chaotic on any given day. Each new dog, has to be housebroken, usually because they have never been out of a cage for up to 7 years at puppy mills. Some have never eaten from a bowl.

They are taught to use the same area, in their yard only. Once accomplished, when walking, none use any lawn, except for their own. They are have to be taught to receive affection, even petting is very new to them.

Once they have graduated, the dogs go to a loving home, to live the rest of what is left of their lives.

Sometimes there are failures, which is why they have adopted dogs. While a challenge, they will always have a loving home. None of their guests have taken the place of their spouse, or their children, they are loved, and are an added addition to their home.

Both of our children do find it very different when they visit, TV and see dogs in the grocery, or shopping in a store, which they find strange. They do understand strollers, sometimes a new rescue gets wagon rides, because they haven’t walked any distance, for a long time. They also find it uncomfortable to watch those who take a small dog on a leash into the crowded squares.

Re: Village discourse
 

one thing i'm sure of is the villages has no climate issues.
It never changes.

Almost forgot---besides my toe comment, I forgot to mention Necator Americanus---it's the new world version of old world Ancylostoma duodenale, the common name is the parasite "hookworm"----the larva enter through bare feet and find their way to the GI tract and suck nutrients from your body causing anemia, and in kids possible mental retardation. The drugs used to treat it also suck (pun intended) Bottom line----WEAR SHOES!!!

Don’t let the few minority opinions deter you from our wonderful Village communities.

Keep your eyes open for service and comfort dogs for our veterans.
Thank you for your service .

Don’t knock it
 

We have had dogs most of our married lives. My husband is an avid dog lover and I have ‘gone along’. Right now we have two small dogs (Havanese)and they are a joy in our lives. Our main vacation is a 2 month RV vacation during the summer, and of course they come along for the ride. Other trips (cruising and staying at our timeshares) they stay at home with a dog/house sitter whom they adore. Walking them and picking up after them is nothing compared to the love and joy that they add to our lives. YOU are missing out IMHO.

Good for you. And I don’t trust, or like, people that don’t have a dog.

my pug is actually better than most humans, certainly more fun to be around:)

Friend, ...nasty people are very few & far between. do NOT let them stop you from loving a new life here, with or without a loving canine companion (or feline). i wish we had come here years ago

Ouch!!!! Some may not be able to have a dog.

Well, this is fun.
 

OP must have figured out by now that there is every possible point of view on the dog people/non-dog people conversation. Some think dogs are all perfect, some have very good reasons to not trust dogs and even fear them. Dogs can be the only comfort for some or they can cause anxiety and fear in others. As for " dog therapy" in retirement homes, I hope my wife never needs one of those places. Savagely attacked as an infant by the perfect little angel family dog for no apparent reason, is one of those who would be made miserable by having someone come into your "home" and, with all good intentions, try to get you to interact with the dog to make you feel better while actually causing anxiety, fear and depression.
I had several dogs and loved them all. Family, yes they were. Human, they were not. Obviously no dogs now and fine with that, kind of like empty nesters who are happy and satisfied they did well as "parents" and now are free to enjoy life as a couple without the responsibility of "parenthood" for a "furry baby" with special needs and limitations.
Dogs are great, but dogs are not people. They live in the moment, have senses that we cannot truly comprehend, are easily frightened or confused by things we take for granted, and can be triggered by things we are often totally unaware of. They can help save lives and they can also injure or kill.
Some folks like them, others, not so much. Dogs. Rin tin tin, strong, noble and heroic to Cerberus who guards the gates of hell. Whichever one you own, not everyone loves him/her, he/she loves being with you but doesn't always really like everything you do or every place you go.
Lastly, please, be a responsible owner and keep him/her off the neighbor's lawn. You can do it.