Dogs have been mans mate for century's.
From our days in the cave.
Enslave? gee that is a silly thing to say.
If we did not live together most dogs would never exist.
rechtub it is a harshness often see in you, focused here on dog owners.
My dogs,two both mini foxy crosses both female and desexed own me.
Food is a problem, this breed are very fussy eaters, I would gladly spend a lot to get the right food.
Maybe you should be looking at another income for your shops.
I am loyal to one butcher, he however can only offer lamb necks as dog food.
Mine will not eat the best unless I am eating it.
Pet shops charge $3 per bone! $17 for ten pigs ears.
Now I spend much more but feed my mates bacon bones.
They love it for about a day.
Visitors coming maybe I should tell them eat it or starve?

Dear rehctub,

I would love to have a dog again.

I grew up with them as family pets
but my husband says "No!" because we're
still working - and I do as I'm told.
(joking).

I know he's right, because they need
to be looked after properly.

I don't remember feeding our dogs anything
"over the top." They ate rather well though
and were healthy.

I agree with you that some people's behaviour
regarding their pets is a bit strange - I
watched a program on TV recently - where dogs
were dressed up like small children - even
with jewellery - which I agree is taking things
a bit far. But to each his own, I guess.

As for who owns whom?
That's a good question...

I remember my first puppy which
mum brought home one night after work, and told me,
"Because you've been so grown up about things, I
think you're now old enough to have this," she said.
"Go ahead and open the box." My hands were shaking
with excitement as I opened the box.

There inside, looking at me very quietly, were two
big brown eyes, belonging to a black puppy, with a
white patch over his eye.

"For me?" I gulped and turned to look at my mum.
"Yes, he belongs to you!" mum told me smiling.

"I think I'll call him Patch!" I said, looking at mum.

"You're a lucky little girl!" said my Gran.

And I knew I was,
as Patch jumped up and licked my face.

Great thread Rechtub.

When you genuinely love your pets/animals, one will try and make their lives as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Last year a girlfriend of mine asked if I would take on two elderly small dogs that were destined to be put down. At the time I stated no, given I was in transit mode.

I acquired a home last year and the dogs moved in with me [outside].

A year later, I love these dogs profoundly, they have been the quietest, most well behaved and intelligent beings I could ever have been gifted with. They only bark when someone is near the place and are not 'yappers'. They eat everything put in front of them and thank me afterwards,which brings tears to my eyes sometimes, [am a strong person so do not think me a sook]for the sole reason that they think it is a treat to eat their meals they depend upon to live!

Their previous owner, [a lady] died and when I first met these dogs, I could see heartache etched in their eyes. Now, several years later, there is a light or happiness reflected.

I feed the little treasures a "my dog" each of an evening, left over dinner scraps [meat and vegies], no bones to choke them though, and leave two large bowls of fresh water under cover daily in case one is accidentally knocked over, and a bowl of dog nuts/biscuits to munch through during the day. I am apprehensive to give them bones at their age [their teeth may fall out]? They are not overweight as they are still active throughout the day. They enjoy a regular hair cut and wash; prancing and running around excitedly and relieved afterwards.

These dogs are eleven or twelve now and I am wondering how long they have with me?

A year ago, I was adamant that there would be no more dogs or other pets, as I have had a lifetime of looking after my childrens pets for 20 years.

Now.....I am truly blessed and most thankful that they have come into my life.

Interesting responses.

Now consider this.

Many older folk turn to dogs for company, and that's great.

But, when they stand there fussing about what they want for their dog and I say, "do you have grown up kids", to which they say yes, I then say, "so did they have to eat what was on the plate or go without", of cause they also say yes. Then I say, "so why do you treat the dog any differntly"

You should see their faces.

This may alarm you, but the most loyal and obidient dog is one that gets treated the harshest. After all, they live in a 'master and slave arrangement' and if you're not the master, they will be. It's natures way. They either lead or follow. To them, there is no middle ground.

I disagree rechtub.

The harshest way of treatment usually leads to loyalty out of fear. When they are treated with firm and consistent commands, delivered in a calm rational way, they respect the owners dominance and form a loving bond, one which is more loyal than any derived from fear.

A happy dog is a loyal dog. Having said that, there is a balance and they usually eat what they are given if you are consistent with giving it. If not, then change the diet, animals know what is good for them, if the food is not nutricious enough, they will have reservations toward eating it, they are attracted to food by the smell, not so much the taste, as long as it is highly nutritious for them and smells attractive they are generally happy to eat it.

Most pet owners find that their pets own them, that is the responsibility, due to the fact that they have pets for companions rather than "slaves" Nature does not have a master slave arrangement. It has a dominant figure to lead the way to survival. You will notice wild dogs still show affection among the pack, there is no slavery there and there shouldn't be in a domestic pack.

I love my two King Charles Cavalier spaniels unconditionally.
They give me a great deal of love and joy.

It is a well known fact that having a pet has a positive effect on human's health- especially their blood pressures.
People with pets are far less likely to spend time as a hospital inpatient.

Pets love you unconditionally- not caring what you look like or how well off you are, where you live or how you live - unlike many humans I know!

It is also a well known fact that people who dislike all animals, or ill-treat animals are far more likely to end up in the criminal justice system as violent offenders.

Enough said!