Rex


My dad bought Rex as a sick puppy from a dog store in Ohio when he was single. He was a Heinz 57, a little bit of everything, maybe even a little Husky! He was my protector dog, he would stand watch over my crib. He even saved my life once. We have property in Northern Michigan that is right on a main road, though the house is set way back. There is a tree line right before the road that Rex knew he wasn't supposed to cross. Well I toddled out there one day past the trees, and Rex knew that since he wasn't supposed to go out there, I shouldn't either. He knocked me down so I couldn't keep going. He though he was in so much trouble for crossing the trees, but my dad gave him a big steak that night! He wasn't a big fan of my little sister though. By the time she came around he was getting a little old. He would knock her down with his big Lab otter like tail. I have more pictures, but they aren't digital so they have to be scanned in sometime.

I will never forget the day he died. He collapsed in the yard out of the blue. It was my first experience with death. My sister and I watched cartoons all the rest of the day and we buried him out by the woods with his favorite chewing log.

Charlie


Charlie was a pure bred Brittany, I remember picking him out as a puppy. We went to the breeder when he was a baby and picked him from the litter after meeting the Mom and Dad. We couldn't wait until we actually picked him up for good! He really was the best dog in the world. He was the dog I grew up with and will never forget. We had to put him down when I was a sophomore in high school. He was only 9 and was pretty sick. We think the neighbor was poisoning him, she was a mean old lady who hated us. That was one of the hardest days for me. I couldn't go with my family to the vet when the took him, it was just too hard. He is the standard that all other dogs are measured by.

Riley



Riley is my parent's current dog. He is also a Brittany, going on 8 years. We got him as a puppy when Charlie was still around, man Charlie hated him. We always felt bad for making Charlie's last few months so stressful with a puppy around. Riley is a little princess dog. He follows my mom around everywhere. He will have to snuggle in as close to you as possible and gives lots of kisses. He's one of the reasons I wanted a Husky actually. I love him to death, but the Velcro dog syndrome can get a little annoying at times. Every time I see my parents, he gets so excited to see me, though I think less so now that Bode comes along too...Riley's not a big fan of the puppy crap Bode pulls!

Here's a video of Bode annoying poor Riley at Christmastime

Haha, huskies can be so persistent when it comes to play time.

I grew up with 2 Brittany's, loved them to death, that was our other breed we were looking at but since we are not hunters I went with the breed better fit to what I do. Love the pics, there is something to be said with people that do grow up with dogs and the bonds they make with them that molds who they become.
Thanks for sharing

What lovely dogs!!! You never forget the first dog you fall in love with, I know I haven't!

jbealer wrote:

I grew up with 2 Brittany's, loved them to death, that was our other breed we were looking at but since we are not hunters I went with the breed better fit to what I do. Love the pics, there is something to be said with people that do grow up with dogs and the bonds they make with them that molds who they become.
Thanks for sharing

Sometimes I don't think that Anthony understands the bond I have with dogs. He didn't grow up with animals, so Bode is his first dog. I know that he loves him to death, but I don't think he gets what a big part of my heart Bode is and the bond that I have with him, and animals in general. I try to explain it, but there is just no way to.

My boyfriend doesn't get it either. He gets all butt hurt when I don't want to go out if the dogs are going to be kenneled all night. He thinks that when I get upset and turn to the girls for comfort, he thinks it's because I love them more then him. He doesn't get that with dogs you don't have to talk about anything. They don't know what's wrong and they don't care to know. They just know you're upset and the cuddle on you.

I feel bad for people who never grew up with animals. I know Chris loves Kennedy and he is starting to come around with Sheba..but he doesn't really understand why I could talk about dogs for hours or why I could watch them interact for hours. When you see dogs learning from each other and exchanging roles while playing..it's amazing. He doesn't really get why I feel like that. Which is fine..I understand it.

I grew up with two GSD's who were my everything when I was little. My mom says they taught me how to walk and I would hold on to each of their backs and walk around. I plan to have GSDs one day again.

I grew up with cats, the first dog entered the family when I was about 13 years old.
I believe growing up with animals, if dogs, cats or what else, makes you a better human being in the end.