Animals and you.

This is my current gang, Bob the JRT is in my foster care from the DAWG shelter until he finds a permanent home, other two are my Tibetian Spaniels Muffin and Ruby.

@Rubecula:

Your friend's GSD looks fabulous. I think they get too much bad press and people don't realise that they can be very friendly and playful.

My ex-next door neighbour had a rescue GSD, went by the name of Scruffy. She was very gentle, but could sometimes be a bit nervous around people. I can't imagine what she must have been through before some kind soul rescued her

As a kid I had white mice, a tortoise, a cat and goldfish. Was mad into animals and persuaded the parents to get me a dog. They brought me into town to the dogs home and we got a little dog from there. He was a little terrier and we spent many hours up the fields after school. In later years I've had a german shepherd and a black labrador both gone to their doggie heaven. Had a gorgeous siamese cat for 20 years Currently I have a great little dog who is mixed breed - got him from a girl who had 2 dogs and could only keep one of them. She rescued him as he had been badly abused, so I have had him for about 9 years now. Can't imagine ever being without a dog in my life. Animals are awesome

After I found out my husband had been cheating on me (married 24 years, dating since 18), I decided I would get a pup to keep me company. In March, a beautiful pup came into our lives, he was a mongrel from a rescue centre. Cross between Collie and Lurcher, really mild mannered, not a barker, and very affectionate, needed lots of walking so got me out of the house. Unfortunately he had major problems that slowly came to light over the summer months. At the end of August I had to bite the bullet and do what was best for him, and I am bereft without him. People keep telling me to get another, and I know this sounds odd, I feel I would be letting him down.

He slept on my bed the night before I brought him to the vet for the last time, he was delighted, normally not allowed upstairs, he kept his paw on my shoulder all night, and when I moved he just moved with me. I was lucky to have him, as he was lucky to have me. I was heartbroken bringing him to the vet, but I would not have missed my time with him.

I know there are people who are just 'animal' people and have all sorts, but most of the pet-keeping population seems to be either dog people or cat people, and not a whole lot of interest or sympathy for the opposite clan.

Have to confess at this stage I am a cat person, we have always had a cat since we set up home here - though that only amounts to two in 33 years - now we have two who live inside, outside, wherever they want. There was a dog in the household when we were growing up, and my sister is a dog person, I cannot figure out why I have no enthusiasm for dogs but I like cats!

For thirteen years we had a long-haired collie. We have always had dogs but she was The Dog if you know what I mean. She was the most wonderful dog I ever had the privilege to know. Then I was told she had cancer and had five months to go. Probably the hardest five months of my life.

At the risk of a bit of self promotion, I wrote about her here.

We have a Lurcher Cross now that was rescued. She is the fastest laziest dog in the world [I have heard them called 40mph Couch Potatoes and that is a perfect description]. She is terribly affectionate and very funny. She will never replace our collie, but I couldn't be without her now.

I'm told I often have that effect on people.