If you are feeling depressed, unwanted, unloved, alone, permanently miserable, invisible, and/or useless, I have the solution. GET A DOG.
I'm out-n-about twice a day with Billy, and I have noticed one glaringly obvious fact; dog owners are 99% extremely friendly. Non-dog people simply point their faces either at the ground or at their phones. They walk around with giant earphones on (or are they giant ear-muffs?), as if the rest of the world doesn't exist. They never greet you. Dog walkers, on the other hand, always smile and say a cheery 'Good Morning', and possibly chat for a while. It's like being a member of a 'Friendly Club', with all non members looking as miserable as sin (most of them, anyway).
I'd noticed this way back in the early 70's when my first son was still in a buggy, and our dog, Hamlet, was still a puppy. When we went into town on market days we could hardly walk a few yards without someone saying Koochy-Koo to the tiny Kimbo, or stooping to stroke Hamlet. Again, it was like suddenly being admitted to a secret club.
The next question must be, what type of dog should you have.
The three friendliest dogs that attract the most attention must be Golden Retrievers, Black Labs, and Yellow Labs. Coming in at a close 2nd place must be Border Collies, and most shaggy Terriers. But be warned, if you have any of these expect your days to be very different.
Walk down your High Street with any of these dogs and you will be assailed by fellow dog lovers who will recognise you as a fellow 'Nice Person'. Expect delays.
We've all heard of people taking Therapy Dogs into care homes or hospices. It is quite amazing the effect of stroking a Golden Retriever can have on the elderly or infirm. Faces light-up, and they become more animated. The effect is instantaneous.
So, there you are. Get a Dog; preferably a Golden Retriever.
I'm very lucky as I'm surrounded by animals. Dogs are very good value, cats less so, horses a bit impractical if one lives in town, sheep are a pain but kayed lambs are fun.
ReplyDeleteI am just learning to walk again so a new pup at my age isn't possible. I still have three dogs, seven horses and a hundred and odd sheep here with another three or four dogs visiting. They keep me going.
I always used to have cats around simply to keep vermin at bay. Some were friendly; others not. Out in The Styx they were essential.
DeleteYou are correct! When I am walking the dog ( schnauzer 11 yrs old) other dog walkers nearly always at least nod and smile if not stop and talk. People without dogs can walk right past me in an empty field and not even look over....what a miserable life they must be having!
ReplyDeleteI've just come in from dog walking and only one person walked past without saying good morning. Of course he was dog-less and with phone in hand.
DeleteWell, I would if I could but allergies mean I can't. I am a friendly greeter though even without a dog.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you greet people, but a lot just ignore the world around them.
DeleteSorry - but I am unconvinced. I have never had a dog and what is more, I never want one. 64% of British households do not own dogs. By the way, I do not have any earphones nor do I possess a mobile phone.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you SHOULD have a dog just to see how your life changes. Perhaps you could borrow one for a week.
DeleteNo he shouldn't.....Please think of the dog.
DeleteMany years ago I worked on a cardio thoracic ward at Guy's Hospital with very ill patients awaiting bypass surgery, a local lady used to visit with her golden retriever dog by agreement with the ward sister. In those days no one had heard of "therapy" dogs and it was looked on with amazement by quite a few people but it worked wonders for the patients both pre and post operations. It really calmed them and lifted their spirits, the nurses and doctors rather liked the visits as well. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it in action but I've seen plenty of videos of dogs going into care homes etc. It's amazing the effect it has on patients.
DeleteI am not a dog person and I've gone off cats lately. I think I'd prefer a dog though we have had a couple and theyve ruined my garden.
ReplyDeleteHowever, K loves dogs and he needs one for company.
We dog sit now and again for family dogs. They're nice to walk for a few days and also nice to give back, like grandkids.
Dogs can be a pain, but if trained properly they are usually a real delight to have around. It all depends on the variety of course.
DeleteTotally agree with you Cro. A house isn't a home without a dog or dogs. We have had Jack Russell terriers who would have fought a lion they are so brave and great ratters. We also had a Border Collie that use to sit at crossings and wait for the noise to beep before she crossed the road. My favourite dog at the moment is our Bernese Mountain dog. What a lovely kind dog friend. We have also had Golden Retrievers who can't keep out of water. I also quite like cats. I think we have 7 of them. Then there is the livestock. Pigs are characters and need feeding at the same time every day.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted a 'Parson' Jack Russell. Wonderful dogs. We had a yellow Lab' who was a true water-baby. He couldn't wait to get into the water, and it was almost impossible to get him out again.
DeleteBilly is a lovely boy. We've had Cairns for many years now. Mostly all have been rescues from the dastardly puppy mill trade that still prevails here in the US. Wonderful little smart and feisty creatures around whom no rodent is safe. Would love a cat but alas, the Hubs is terribly allergic.
ReplyDeleteI had an Aunt who had a series of Cairns, and each one was celled 'Rover'; even the females. She couldn't be bothered to change anything.
DeleteWhen I retired, a judge offered the advice of getting a dog to keep me getting out of the house.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the best things about dog ownership; you HAVE to go out several times a day, rain or shine.
DeleteDog owners are a great community of people. Friendliest people around.
ReplyDeleteI will always have a dog and am especially fond of Bernese Mountain dogs. My neighbors have Black Labs.
I love Black Labs, I've always wanted a pair!
DeleteYou know where I stand on this subject
ReplyDeleteNuff sed!
DeleteI agree. We had two springer spaniels, they were together for twelve years, the eldest lived till 15 years the youngest till 13. After a gap of five years and husband's early retirement we adopted an 18 month Lhasa Apso ( did have to Google the breed). He is a 'dogs dog's' wants to greet every dog he meets and is really cute looking, so we get to speak to many people on our walks, not only other dog owners. He is also a lot easier on the knees than the springers!!
ReplyDeleteYou obviously have a taste for more exotic breeds. I'm more of a mongrel person.
DeleteNot really, our Lhasa was a puppy farm rescue from South Wales, result of overbreeding during Covid ☹️ lady local to us has a small rescue and fund raising shop.
DeleteJust as well you live in England and France, as here in Wales, the Welsh Government want to ban people walking their dogs in the country as they may offend somebody!
ReplyDeleteI read that in the paper. Is that really so? What have they against 'Man's best friend'?
DeleteWe had a border collie, now a yellow Labrador. She is too friendly but everyone loves her.
ReplyDeleteI find that Billy makes people smile as we walk past. I'm sure he reminds them of 'One Man and His Dog'.
DeleteHow true, Cro. - a dog makes such a difference to ones life.
ReplyDeleteYellow Labs are my favourite, having had five over the years, Golden Retrievers are a second favourite, but have only ever had one. Now I've down-sized to a rescue Boston terrier who is the most comical dog - she makes me laugh. When I was looking for another Lab, after I lost my lovely Inca the year before last, I was told that Labs (of any colour) needing to be rehomed were few and far between and never made it to the rescues before being snapped up!