101 Things I Love About Dogs
Published February 14th, 2008There are many times when I think about how great it is to be a dog in my house…don’t have to work for a living, your people bring you cookies, walk with you, feed you, and then you find a sunny patch to just lie and enjoy the day. What a life. I wish it were this way for every dog, because they all deserve it. They carry themselves with so much hope, dignity, and cuteness every day. If you pay close attention, it’s impossible not to love and learn from them.
I don’t feel this list even does them justice, but here are 101 things I love about the canines:
- Their eternal optimism
- Their leathery little noses
- That many of them are social butterflies
- The way their footprints look in the snow
- That they don’t talk back…most of the time…
- How easily they make friends
- Their unwavering loyalty
- That they always want to be near us
- The smell of their feet
- That they don’t judge us
- They’ve mastered the art of unconditional love
- They’re not afraid to just turn their nose up and let their ears flap in the wind
- They don’t care if other people gossip about them
- They are so in tune with our body language that they don’t really need to hear what we are saying
- That they know how to forgive
- Sometimes they make us laugh so hard, we cry
- They are always happy to see us when we come home
- They often show us what it’s like to have grace and dignity under pressure and in pain
- They can be great listeners…sometimes that’s all we need
- Some of them have very soft ears
- When they wag their tails so hard their whole body wiggles
- That a tennis ball can give them so much joy
- Some of them are small but they all have big hearts
- They live every day to the fullest
- They never grow up
- They aren’t impressed by money…or put off by a lack thereof
- Most of them are photogenic
- They truly accept that families come in all shapes, sizes, and appearances
- No matter their size, they have big presence in our lives
- How excited they get when we surprise them
- Watching them dream about running..or eating!
- When they sit on your feet
- When they share in our happy times
- When they let you kiss them on the forehead
- That they believe in giving second chances
- That they are always wearing their birthday suit!
- How they can sleep all day, nap a bit in the evening, and then sleep all night…I am so envious…
- That someone so cute could have such bad breath
- Watching how they swim underwater
- How they hog the ball when we play soccer
- When the little dogs have huge personalities
- That they are always up for a walk
- The excitement when they learn a new task
- When they hop up on the bed and snuggle in with their family
- That they trust us–we should never abuse that trust
- When a whole pack of them surrounds me and follows me around
- That they accept us just as we are
- That they have, and continue to teach me so much
- The hope in their eyes
- Their chubby little round feet
- Their infectious enthusiasm
- When it looks like they’re grinning
- Watching them run full tilt
- That they are all individuals
- When they know we are scared, and are protective of us
- When they stand close
- That they are there to celebrate our successes
- That they don’t care about our failures
- That even a small dog can take up a lot of room in a big bed
- It doesn’t take much to please them
- They do what sounds like a good idea at the time…even if it’s not
- They often eat with gusto
- They understand that happiness is best when shared
- Some of them love to be hugged
- When they curl up into a tight little ball
- When they communicate by grumping and groaning
- That people of all walks of life can share this special bond
- Their resilience
- Like us, they have their quirks
- They teach us about gratitude
- There is a little bit of wolf hiding in all of them
- Many of them are co-dependent
- They aren’t cats
- Some of them love their stuffed animals
- They think it’s socially acceptable to roll around in dead things–or someone else’s poo
- They lead by example when it comes to compassion and caring
- They show us that love knows no bounds
- Some of them are literally therapy dogs
- That they force us to think about someone other than ourselves
- Their ability to start the next day with a clean slate
- They see the real us…and that’s what they love
- They understand that looks aren’t as important as what’s on the inside
- When they lie on their back with all four feet in the air and tummy to the sky
- The gentle, playful, and respectful way they treat their dog friends
- That they really choose us–we don’t choose them
- Even though people get dogs for many different reasons, they all become family
- That they have an endless supply of kisses
- How they look when they are soaking wet–and how excited they get
- When they howl along with my singing
- When they sit on our laps
- How they lie in the sun
- That even though the fur goes grey, their spirit stays strong
- They remind us of just how precious life is
- That some of them have webbing in between their toes
- How they take the time to just sniff the grass
- Their genuine curiosity
- When they give me a high-five
- That they extend to us the privilege of their friendship
- How they are creatures of habit
- They make us into better human beings
- They understand every single thing about being a good friend–without ever saying a word
This post is dedicated to Jasper on Valentine’s Day–I miss you so much my boy.
Sara on July 1, 2008
Fabulously amazing! I kept reading and going, “That’s my favorite,” “No, that one!” and “Oh no, it’s totally that one!”
Suffice it to say that you really hit the nail on the head. It’s impossible to quantify Roo, so I just accept and love him.
I love that he’s a survivor, that he can sleep with his paws straight up in the air, that he can always make time to play, and that he has a tongue too big for his mouth. He’s priceless.
Thanks for re-posting this–it’s wonderful.
khansmom on July 1, 2008
101 reasons and 101% true!
Padraig Daly on July 1, 2008
they are not cats exactly
Blue on July 1, 2008
“That they really choose us–we don’t choose them.”
That’s my favorite. Love your list. I am going to find my dog now and give her a big huge HUG.
Shireen on July 1, 2008
That is so true! Every last one of those. Just reminds me how much I love my dog Jerry
Amanda Milne on July 1, 2008
Hi all,
Thanks for coming by and for participating–I really enjoy hearing from all you dog lovers out there!
Sara: Thanks for sharing both you and Roo are lucky to have each other in your lives!
khansmom: Glad you enjoyed the post!
Padraig: I do poke fun at the cats, but I’ve actually met a few over the the years that I would’ve considered taking home–if my yellow Lab weren’t terrified of them
Blue: Thanks for the comment, I’m sure your dog will just lap up the big hug!
Shirleen: Jerry sounds like a lucky guy, we have to love them as much as we can in the time we have with them
Jeff@MySuper-Charged Life on July 2, 2008
Fantastic list! Dogs are awesome! I don’t have a dog right now, but this really makes me want to go get one. My last dog was definitely a part of our family and a lot of the items on your list remind me of her.
Thanks for sharing this!
Whit on July 2, 2008
I absolutely love your list! I think the reasons to love dogs must be infinite! I love my dog as much as any human family member. I may just love him more than my boyfriend, which irks said boyfriend, but hey- who is always excited to see me after a long day of work and ready with loads of kisses?!
Your entire list speaks so truly, it’s hard to pick a favorite one!
Amanda Milne on July 4, 2008
Jeff: I’m glad the post brought back some good memories! Even though we miss them, it’s always nice to be able to look back and think about all of the happy times
Whit: I enjoyed reading your comment, it made me smile! Maybe the boyfriend and dog can join forces, and he can take a few lessons from your dog?!
Sarah on July 6, 2008
Love this list, and find all but ‘they aren’t cats’ to be true! What if you love cats and dogs equally?
I’ve now got a cat, but still love my old dog as much as ever - he’s living with my parents as we can’t have one in our current home :o( I miss him everyday, but this list reminds me why I loved him in the first place!
T on July 7, 2008
They aren’t cats, thats so true
Bre on July 7, 2008
It was a great list until the “they aren’t cats” part. I love both. That whole cat person vs. dog person thing is stupid. They’re both awesome in their own ways.
Amanda Milne on July 8, 2008
Bre and Sarah: I think it’s wonderful that you love both cats and dogs! I wrote this post as a personal dedication to my old boy Jasper, in remembrance of him–he was actually a big dog who was comically scared of small cats. The “they aren’t cats” line actually refers to embracing the differences between the two
Sincerely,
Amanda
Sally Hathaway on July 8, 2008
Could I please be sent a printable copy of 101 Things I Love about Dogs.
Thank You
Sally
Sheri on July 18, 2008
I agree, I don’t think anyone means anything malicious by the ‘cat vs dog’ thing-it is just a fun rivalry….you may prefer one over the other, but a true animal lover doesn’t dislike either….anyone who has had a pet that lived in their home, slept in their bed, broke their heart when they left this world….they understand that a cat or dog (or any pet) is not just an animal, it is a part of your family, your life….you cannot quantify or minimize the impact they have on our lives. Great list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amanda Milne on July 18, 2008
Sheri: Well said. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for coming by and sharing!
Sincerely,
Amanda
Hindsfeet on July 19, 2008
Ha! Funny. Most of those reasons are the reasons I don’t like dogs.
I do like my dog, though. Not as much as my four cats, but I do like her.
beverlyz on July 22, 2008
We have a German Shepherd and I saw her in alot of the remarks!
Amanda Milne on July 22, 2008
Hindsfeet: Glad to hear everyone gets along!
beverlyz: I’m happy you enjoyed the post! My first dog Jasper was half Shepherd and half Lab–wonderful dogs!
Sincerely,
Amanda
MttDesignz on July 27, 2008
you almost made me cry, every damn one is so true. Dogs are way better than humans…
Tara@ Main Street Dog on September 20, 2008
What a great list! It is true, dogs are the best. I can not imagine my life without my furry boys around.