Dogs doing what dogs do best. Running their a$$e$ off.

Great stuff Shad.

Thank you for the warm support guys! I cannot tell you how much it means to me. I am not generally a very sentimental person (pets are pets, not people), but this dog has got my heart strings firmly grasped. I have fallen madly in love with her; she is a wonderful gift. I find myself missing her when I am at work, and am as excited to see her as she is to see me when I get home. For the first time in my life, I am beginning to understand what they mean by "man's best friend". It is a very different and special relationship.

It is a very different and special relationship.

yes it is!

I remember when my wife brought home a tiny chiahuahua mix.  I did NOT want it!  in fact I had told her I we couldn't have a dog until after we moved (this was right before I graduated college).  (and after all - I was a "cat" guy)

but I fell in love with that little guy!  and I still miss him dearly (he passed away several months ago).

Pets are pets, yes, but they are also person(alitie)s!
It's difficult not to treat them as half-human sometimes.
And there's no better remedy for stress than a dog.

I'm travelling for second week now, and every night when I call home, I also say a few words to our dog. She gets all curled up, embarrassed and starts to lick the phone.