by ☃ Aunt Shanny
Member since:
July 26, 2006

What Having a Dog Means to Me...

January 28, 2008 02:49 PM EST
views: 142 | comments: 72

It means never having to do anything alone.

Like going to the bathroom:http://media-files.gather.com/images/d463/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Taking a bath:http://media-files.gather.com/images/d461/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Or sleeping (comfortably):
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d457/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
It means no more playing chase without a shirt:

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d470/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

It means no messy floor in the kitchen when I'm cooking (other than if I spill some habanero salsa).

Unfortunately, the opposite holds true for a freshly mopped bathroom floor:http://media-files.gather.com/images/d459/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

It also means no more solicitors come a knockin'. Or if they do, they sure don't stick around long.

And it also means no more pesky cats on my lap. That space is already taken.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d466/d568/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
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Comments: 72

Michele Scercy Jan 28, 2008, 2:51pm EST
Great photoessay. I know you love your dogs.
judy lewis May 25, 2009, 12:42pm EDT

love your dogs with all you have because when there gone the pain is never gone. but the love is always there
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 2:52pm EST
I do Shel, more than just about anything in the world.
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Jan 28, 2008, 2:53pm EST
I love it! Do your dogs double as "speed bumps" too? Giz is a great speed bump, especially at night in the dark when you're trying to make it to the bathroom
samantha b. Jan 28, 2008, 2:54pm EST
awesome, I love this photo essay, I miss my dog
Vivian P. Jan 28, 2008, 2:55pm EST
Boy can I relate
Cristina S. Jan 28, 2008, 2:55pm EST
Love this essay Shannon!
Vivian P. Jan 28, 2008, 2:56pm EST
Try doing Yoga when you do the bending poses they love to give kisses
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 2:57pm EST
It's worse with ours, Mog. They are moving speed bumps.

Thanks all, for the kind comments :)
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 2:57pm EST
LOL, Viv! Don't I know it!
Tina (a slightly smaller Spanky) B. Jan 28, 2008, 2:57pm EST
Wonderful essay, Shannon. Such sweet looking babies!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 2:58pm EST
They are my big babies. Thank you, Tina :)
Tina (a slightly smaller Spanky) B. Jan 28, 2008, 2:59pm EST
I house/dog sat for my sister this weekend. I woke up with a 4 pound $200 chi sleeping on my hair on my pillow, a 5 lb chi/daschund mix curld up under my chin, and my 12 pound daisy UNDER the covers snuggled against the back of my legs.

Good thing I didn't have to move in a hurry.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:00pm EST
LOL!!! I can just imagine!
Cheryl B. Jan 28, 2008, 3:01pm EST
Great photo essay! I can tell that you love your dogs. As the famous saying goes, they are man's best friend... So is my Gizmo. He's such a good little guy. I don't know what I'd do without him!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:03pm EST
Same here, Cheryl. I can't imagine life without them.
Victoria H. Jan 28, 2008, 3:03pm EST
Hehe. This was great! I'm going to feature it in "ALL PHOTO ESSAYS HERE".

All the same things go for having kids too!! LOL

Your dogs are lucky you have you, Shannon. And I think you're lucky to have them also.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:04pm EST
Thanks, Vic, And I suspect I am the lucky one in this arrangement :)
Marianne M. Jan 28, 2008, 3:16pm EST
Great post and pics, Shan!!!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:32pm EST
Thank you, Marianne :)
Teresa W. Jan 28, 2008, 3:36pm EST
I do understand completely! It was like that for me and my two pomeranians that I had before they went to doggy heaven. It isn't as much like that for me with our family dog Rosie since she adores the whole family especially the kids. I do have to admit that I like the company at night since now I don't have to sleep alone anymore or be alone when I have insomnia sometimes.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:45pm EST
I do love the company, Teresa, especially when Matt is gone.
Amanda T. Jan 28, 2008, 3:52pm EST
Love this photo essay. Your dogs are beautiful!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 3:57pm EST
Thank you, Amanda.
This is great. With my (baby) it also means never having to do leftovers. Aren't they wonderful?
Robyn F. Jan 28, 2008, 4:53pm EST
great article shannon:)
Connie C. Jan 28, 2008, 4:55pm EST
Shannon,
That was a great photo essay. It is amazing how much a person can love a pet. My dog, Wiley is the same way. He never leaves me alone. When I must leave, he is at the door to greet me upon my return. You would think I was gone for a week when in reality, it may well have been an hour. LOL
Connie C. Jan 28, 2008, 4:55pm EST
You dogs are very lucky to have you as their best friend.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 4:59pm EST
Katie, you better not be feeding people food to your dog!

Thank you, Robyn.

Connie, I just ran to the store to pick up something quick- I was gone maybe 15 minutes. They acted like I had been gone all day. What a welcome!

And I thank you, truly.
Elaine A. Jan 28, 2008, 5:04pm EST
Great photo essay, I can see they are good doggies and that you really love them, thanks for sharing
Toni V. Jan 28, 2008, 6:23pm EST
Awesome photo essay. Isn't it amazing that when we try to go to the bathroom someone has to follow. If it's not the dogs it's the kids or the husband. LOL
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 6:24pm EST
Thank you, ladies!
Lori Cee Jan 28, 2008, 6:32pm EST
how come im always left to ask the questions no one else will?
Lori Cee Jan 28, 2008, 6:32pm EST
"It means no more playing chase without a shirt"


thats not your boob, is it?
Lori Cee Jan 28, 2008, 6:33pm EST
how come theres no water in the tub?
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 6:41pm EST
Nope, no boob shots. It's my stomach. Dulce made two nice scratches on each side.

LOL! And I knew you would notice the lack of water. All I would need is to drop that camera in the bathtub...
Marianne R. Jan 28, 2008, 6:42pm EST
Great photos and essay. I love the one with your dog watching you while you're in the tub, lol.
Lori Cee Jan 28, 2008, 6:48pm EST
you would think something was wrong if i wasnt on the case.
Amber D. Jan 28, 2008, 6:59pm EST
what cuties!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jan 28, 2008, 7:36pm EST
What cute dogs, they look like big babies sitting on your lap. How precious.
flit . Jan 28, 2008, 7:44pm EST
those are some beautiful critters... great photo essay
DJ B. Jan 28, 2008, 7:50pm EST
Tina - Sounds like heaven to me! %^}
DJ B. Jan 28, 2008, 7:51pm EST
Shannon - Been There, Done That......Aaaaaaall of that! *lol*
Ya gotta love dogs, huh? :'o)
LeeAnn D. Jan 28, 2008, 8:00pm EST
LoL....What a couple of hoss's you have. lol My 40 lb Austrailian Shepherd, Maggie, wakes me up by walking on me in the morning. She's heavy, but I could just imagine two Pit's on me. Dixie, our 65lb Basset Hound is a pretty stationary speed bum, though. She's such a sloth. She'd let you trip over her before she'd move.
A home isn't complete without dogs (or some other pet). I just love dogs. Your Pit's are beautiful.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 28, 2008, 9:26pm EST
Thank you all for the wonderful comments. And for L, for being "on the case".

Love all the feedback :)
Larry H. Jan 28, 2008, 10:08pm EST
That is one huge lap dog Shannon.. Mama cat tries to the bathroom when she sees me headed that way. Thanks for sharing your pictures and commenting on my pictures.
Janet H. Jan 28, 2008, 10:09pm EST
Great photo essay. I love the pictures!
Keisha V. Jan 28, 2008, 10:26pm EST
Great representation of the breed! Beautiful pictures.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 29, 2008, 8:47am EST
Thanks for the very nice comments, all of you!
Jill D. Jan 29, 2008, 9:17am EST
What beautiful creatures! Aren't dogs great! I never get cold at night, surrounded by my three!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 29, 2008, 10:02am EST
Very true, JE. I will never be cold again!
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jan 29, 2008, 10:18am EST
Thanks for sharing some amazing pictures of your beloved pets. I enjoyed your artile and pictures.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Jan 29, 2008, 10:54am EST
They are adorable but I love my pesky cat.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 29, 2008, 11:56am EST
Thanks Sandy/Arlene.
Karolyn Q. Jan 29, 2008, 8:39pm EST
THis was a wonderful photo essay! Your dogs are adorable!
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 30, 2008, 9:50am EST
Thank you, Karolyn :)
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Feb 4, 2008, 9:44pm EST
Damn, of course I'm late to this too. I was trying to be the first one to notice the lack of water. Damn that Lori.

I sure wish I could say I knew what you were talking about with the sleeping arrangements. Someone else made the rule "no dogs on the bed" that I have to abide by. Little does he know, while he's working...
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 5, 2008, 10:01am EST
Don't do it Rob. It will only confuse poor Jade. You'll have to make a bed next to hers to get the effect.
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Feb 6, 2008, 12:25pm EST
I did pass out once after a long day of drinking on the floor with her cuddled in my arms. I mean, I fell asleep. Anyway, when I woke up, she had left me to go lay in her bed!
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 6, 2008, 12:26pm EST
She knew you were safe, so she wendt somewhere where she wouldn't be squeezed to death.
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 7, 2008, 5:11pm EST
Thank you, Marsha. We love 'em :)
☃ Aunt Shanny Feb 28, 2008, 2:16pm EST
Sometimes it's TOO warm. But it sure is nice in the winter!
Roger Kiser Mar 28, 2008, 2:33pm EDT
This is a link to a video that I made several weeks ago. I was wondering if you might consider putting this link on your page in hopes that it might help adopt other unloved and forgotten animals from shelters.

Roger Dean Kiser, author

I AM SAM
http://www.gather.com/viewVideo.jsp?id=11821949021862718&nav=Namespace

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1198994/i_am_sam/
Suze P. Apr 21, 2008, 4:36pm EDT
awww.. such cute puppies.. I just love doggies!! try doing that lap thing with a Great Dane.. My Daisy thinks she's a poodle LOL I have 3 of them that sleep with me .or rather, they let me sleep with them.. and are sometimes nice enough to leave me a spot. I also have a boxer who follows me into the bathroom and sits on my foot.. I don't know why, but he just has to sit on my foot while Im iin there. it's very strange LOL I call Daisy "road block" cuz whenever I try to walk anywhere in the house, she gets up with me and will get right in front of me and park herself..I need to teach her that following means you get behind a person, not in front :O)
☃ Aunt Shanny Apr 21, 2008, 4:38pm EDT
LOL! Dulce likes to sit on our feet too, especially in the bathroom!

Thanks for sharing those cute stories, Suze.
Loretta E. Feb 6, 2009, 3:04pm EST
Great photo essay!!!
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Feb 6, 2009, 5:52pm EST
Dogs Rock!
Lou Anne L. Feb 6, 2009, 9:04pm EST
AWE.....doesnt take much to fall in love with them does it?
~♥~ Kim ~♥~ Feb 7, 2009, 12:03pm EST
What a great photo essay on your pups. I'm with you....I think we are the lucky ones. :)
Sheri D. Feb 7, 2009, 12:09pm EST
Can I add another? Never walking past a lint brush and not buying it. Wonderful pics.
Amy C. Feb 9, 2009, 11:08am EST
sweet very cute photo essay!

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