Are you a dog, cat, exotic or no pet person?

[JWags85]

Her sister has a 5-pound Italian Greyhound. That's not a dog; it's a giant rat that shakes like it's had one too many double espressos. My wife's niece was over and playing with our last cat and said "I wish I had a pet I could do something with like your cat. My dog is boring."

That's kind of bizarre honestly.  I can think of many reasons people might not care for them but I'd never think boring.  My sister has an Iggy and its almost got too much personality.  She will periodically stay with my parents in Florida for a few weeks if my sister has work travel or trips and she's the star of the dog walking/dog playing set of the neighborhood.  Loves fetch, loves games, needs to meet and greet every human and dog, etc...  My sister goes to a few Iggy meet ups in NYC and most of them are similar.  I mean, they are sighthounds bred to hunt rabbits.  They can absolutely JET, pretty funny to watch in an open field.  They aren't some rat dog in the toy category that does nothing but sit.  But I guess there are duds in every breed, YMMV.

The shaking thing is spot on though.  Its an ongoing joke with her.  "Oh Blu is shaking, what is it this time?"  Cause it could be actual cold, or anxious, or need to go to the bathroom...but usually its cause she knows shaking makes people pay attention to her and she needs to be the center of attention.

[Scoop Snoop]

My wife and I saw the movie The Friend last week, starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and Apollo, a 150 lb. Great Dane. Of course, being an aficionado of the breed was enough to make me want to see the movie even though I expected the movie would be a bit fluffy and with humor that would likely be silly at times.

The film was much deeper than I expected, delving into grief and the interrelationship between human and dog in experiencing their grief. I thought Apollo stole the show just by exhibiting his pure, simple grasp of life. Humans sometimes need therapists or psychiatrists to get through difficult times partly, I think, because they immensely complicate matters rather than focusing on the basics. And that is where dogs are great teachers.

Near the end, Iris (Watts) and Apollo are vacationing in a simple, no-frills waterfront cabin rather than NYC, which is where most of the movie takes place. I think that if Apollo could have communicated his thoughts of a place to stay at for a while, this would be it. It was the perfect final setting for the movie.

Edit: I think this is an important note to add, and I do not think it qualifies as a spoiler. The subject of suicide and the effect it has on the friends and family of the suicide is front and center. I would be remiss to not alert you, should you be dealing with the subject somehow. I thought it was handled exceptionally well, but....be aware.

[StillAWarrior]

But, believe me when I tell you that I am sooooo ready to move on from my dog-owning years. Our current dog is 16. I won't say I want him to die...that's not quite what I'm feeling...but it wouldn't be the worst thing ever. He's blind, deaf, and really can't walk much any more. So, he's pretty much just a stuffed animal that we move from couch to couch, but also have to feed him and take him outside several times every day. Despite his infirmities, he honestly seems fairly content.

Despite my previously-expressed cavalier attitude, it's been a hard day at our house. But it was time. He stopped eating and drinking and blood tests revealed kidney disease. And just like that, we've moved on from our dog-owning years. As ready as I thought I was...I'm not sure you're ever really ready.

[Scoop Snoop]

Despite my previously-expressed cavalier attitude, it's been a hard day at our house. But it was time. He stopped eating and drinking and blood tests revealed kidney disease. And just like that, we've moved on from our dog-owning years. As ready as I thought I was...I'm not sure you're ever really ready.

When I made the decision to have my Dane put down, it was clearly 1) the right and merciful thing to do and 2) I was angry with myself for days afterwards. Go figure.

[dgies9156]

Despite my previously-expressed cavalier attitude, it's been a hard day at our house. But it was time. He stopped eating and drinking and blood tests revealed kidney disease. And just like that, we've moved on from our dog-owning years. As ready as I thought I was...I'm not sure you're ever really ready.

Short of losing my sister, my parents, and my in-laws, the day I put down my dog was one of the most more difficult days around. He'd been with us for 15 years and was indeed a family member. His moods, his arrogance and all around goofiness still is with us. I still walk by the pool and look to make sure he does not fall in. Every now and then, I see something camel colored and instinctively start to call him.

I wasn't angry we did it -- we had to -- but it was still tough.

[JWags85]

When I made the decision to have my Dane put down, it was clearly 1) the right and merciful thing to do and 2) I was angry with myself for days afterwards. Go figure.

Its truly one of the most uniquely difficult and emotionally draining situations we face in life.  I haven't had it happen with a dog, yet.  Even moreso when it can be pretty unexpected and immediate. 

It happened with a good friend's dog during a vet visit a few years ago and my family's cat about a decade ago when he was still pretty young.  Both times the pet had been struggling, went to the vet and the vet was like "its terminal, nothing we can do, and you can take them home but its not going to be a pleasant few days".  So the decision was made to be merciful and say goodbye at the point.  For our cat, it was totally the right call, but I remember my parents feeling guilty about it for weeks after.

[MU82]

Despite my previously-expressed cavalier attitude, it's been a hard day at our house. But it was time. He stopped eating and drinking and blood tests revealed kidney disease. And just like that, we've moved on from our dog-owning years. As ready as I thought I was...I'm not sure you're ever really ready.

Sad to hear about you losing this member of your family. We've had three dogs we loved, and the end for each was devastating for us. After Simmie died last August, we, like you, decided we won't get another.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I have a Newfoundland now and have had Newfies and Bernese in the past.  I go by the anything under 40 pounds still a member of the cat Genus

I had a string of setters over the years as I am an avid bird hunter. Once someone had a 2lb something they wanted to give my wife but I refused to own a dog smaller than bait I have fished with.