Growing up I had one phobia: dogs. Maybe because a small one bite me when I was a kid. Maybe not. I could not see a dog and stay calm. It was so bad I would cry or scream when a dog barked.
Mr L. loves animals. He wants to get a dog. Not any dog though. He wants a golden retriever, which in my book is "big dog", and big dog is not good.
But he begged so well that we went to see a greet and meet of golden retrievers this past Saturday. And we had a great time.
I get really scared if a dog comes close to jump on me, or if they bark. But those did none of it. I even pet a dog! First time in 20 years ;)
The difference are that a golden retriever is not any dog. They are very trainable, and those we saw were very well trained. The younger ones are high energy, but you can train them not to bark (like hunting dogs) and not to climb on you. The older ones are just like BIG cats, asking for head-petting and belly-scratching, but they are still playful.
I can see us with a dog. It would actually be a beneficial change in lifestyle: we would HAVE to get out several times a day, just for play and fresh air, also IMO dog proofing the house is a good way to keep things simple: if you have a dog, (or small kids) you won't get fancy things that are fragile, or only a few that you really care for, and be very mindful of how you store them and use them.
I'm actually happy to get a dog. I already think of places to go, like parks, and things to do, like going to the lake. We might need to rent a car more often, as dogs are not accepted in trains, but we can also go for longer walks and make it a hike to the lake! :)
We sent our application to the adoption center, I hope we hear back from them soon!
3 comments:
You're getting the right breed!! My veterinarian aunt had a golden retriever when I was growing up. When the neighbor's pit bull tore up my arm, we stopped at my aunt's house for bandages before heading to the hospital. Her golden retriever could tell I was sad...he walked up to where I was sitting, put his head on my lap, and looked up at me with these big sad eyes, like he was saying, "we're not all bad!". I'm not very fond of dogs still, but I love golden retrievers.
But do get one that has already been trained - otherwise the training will all fall to you (since you'll be home with the dog during the day), and that's not fair to someone with a fear of dogs!
I wish we got a Golden Retriever! Our Rosie is sweet, I love her, but she is stubborn and rambunctious. And big. I seriously think that God made dogs for special companions for people. When my parents were older, their "empty nest" was filled with two dogs. One was a small beagle that had been neglected and abused, she was shy and sweet. My father loved to spoil her. The other was a chocolate lab that understood everything they said, and was lost when one of them went in the hospital (which happened a lot). Those dogs comforted them, and when my mom died, my dad treated those dogs better than most people do their kids. Anyway, I am glad for you. It is a wonderful thing to be flexible and open.
I used to be afraid of dogs too! I have one now (or really, my roommate does) and I LOVE him. I don't love ALL dogs, though. And sometimes I think you just have to be okay with that. You'll LOVE your dog...and it will probably open your boundaries a little bit about other dogs...but it's also okay to still be afraid some. :)
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