Top Ten Reasons Why We Love Dogs!

Regardless of what kind of day I’m having, my dogs can make me smile. I own two springer spaniels. They are so full of life they put the Energizer bunny to shame. Not only that, but they each have their own personality. Every dog does. And that is just one characteristic that makes dogs fun to be around.

It sounds cliche, but dogs truly are mans’ best friend. Here are my top ten reasons for why dogs are easy to love:

1. Easy to please: Think about it. You feed your dog the same food 365 days of the year, yet every mealtime they wag their tales and hop around in anticipation for dehydrated chunks of lamb, chicken, rice and other mystery substances. Some joke that dog food is made from lips and eyeballs (etc.). That is probably not far from the truth. Yet your dog gobbles down their kibbles and bits like it is prime rib with gravy.
2. Low maintainance: Yes dogs take some work when they’re pups, but once they’ve completed basic training it doesn’t take much to make them love you. Let them outside in a fenced yard with a bowl of water and maybe a bone and they keep themselves entertained all day. If you say hello to them when you get home, scratch their ears and rub their bellies you are golden. Feed them a bowl of lips and eyeballs and they are good until the next day.
3. Forgiving: If you occasionally ignore your dog, or otherwise act like an ungrateful so-and-so, your dog doesn’t hold a grudge. They are ready to pick up where the relationship left off - with no baggage.
4. Forgivable: My two springers gobbled down a whole store-bought barbeque chicken and left nothing behind except the little plastic thingy that holds the legs together and a grease spot on the tile floor. I erroneously left the chicken on the counter within “nose-shot” of the dogs and left the room momentarily (silly me). Within seconds they snorfed down the chicken. When I realized what had happened, I began scolding the dogs, who were now curled up on their pillow in the corner. I was really giving them what-for until one them looked at me and belched. I couldn’t stay angry any longer.
5. Predictable: When my dogs come into the house they wag their tales and circle the perimeter of the kitchen looking for scraps. If something is lodged underneath the fridge or stove they morph into contortionists trying to get their tongue or toe nails onto the crusty. They never walk into the house and sulk about having a bad day at the office.
6. Not squeemish: Dogs will do the pre-rinse cycle on any dirty dish. In fact they love it. Bits of egg, grease, tomato sauce mixed with chocolate cake crumbs - you name it - and they will lick it clean right down to the glaze finish. Drop a glob of chili or stew in the grass or gravel, no problem, “We’ll eat it” says the dog.
7. Simple pleasures: Dogs make the most of every situation. Leave the toilet seat up? No complaints here, they’ll just have a drink on you. Have a toddler walking around smearing jam on the coffee table. “That’s awesome!” Says the dog. Even better if a toddler has an icecream cone. “Don’t mind if I do” Says the dog, as he licks the cone tactfully from behind.
8. All-season equipped: Some people buy dogs jackets, sweaters and booties, but dogs actually have all-season tires and coats - if you haven’t noticed. Is it cold outside? “I’ll wear my fur coat.” Says the dog. Is it hot outside? “I’ll wear my fur coat.” Says the dog. And etc. I think you get the drift.
9. Sleep-in or not: Unless your dog is a pup, they don’t care if you sleep-in, sleep all day, or party all night. They’re game for whatever. Want to get up at 5 a.m. take them for a walk, or better yet, for a little grouse hunting. AWESOME! Want to sleep in until 10 and read the paper in bed. AWESOME.
10. Look funny in hats or glasses: Not only do dogs look funny in glasses or hats, they let you dress them up and take pictures of them. They’ll never ask you to delete the photo. Nor will they mind if you have the photo published in a magazine!

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