Jersey Girl Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 How many of you have your dog as your companion/pet and do not do any formal activities (herding, agility, flyball, SAR etc. ) with him/her? I know most people out there that do these activities still think of their dog as a pet/companion first and partner in said sport etc., second. But how many of you just have your dog to have a dog and enjoy all the things that go with it? Long walks, cuddles by the fire, a happy face to greet you when you get home. A buddy that you can vent to about your day at work and know they will listen without interupting. What kind of things do you enjoy doing with your dog, what kind of non-formal jobs does your bc do? Jersey Girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Lewie is my constant companion and his main job is to be a clown and make me laugh, which he does very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Had a tough childhood - but my dog as a kid was my rock. Now, as an adult, my BC listens when I have just had a bad day. I love to run and Cody loves to run with me. His happiness out on the trail makes me want to keep going. I used to run competitively, but now I run just for the joy of running - me and my dog. We do not do any organized sport - but I think he gets enough exercise and stimulation without it. I would love to see in person a border collie in herding competition ( sure I didn't say it correctly) . I have been looking to see if there is any competition in Florida or New Mexico. But back to the original post - he is a great pet - a bundle of energy, I am grateful he came into our life. And yes - his other main job is he makes us laugh. You should see him with the jolly ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 And yes - his other main job is he makes us laugh. You should see him with the jolly ball. Video, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Fergie is "just a pet". In that we don't herd, do agility, play flyball.... But what that "just" means. She sleeps next to us every night. If one of us is sick, she's in the bed to nurse and comfort. She gets up when we do. Unless we sleep after the sun is shining in the window.Then she finds a nose to lick to remind us it's daytime. She makes us stretch and get down on the floor to rub her tummy while she washes our faces. If only we'd smile, she'd clean our teeth, too. She makes us take walks. At least 4 or 5 a day. At least a mile each. She encourages us to notice the beauties of nature. We might miss that heron poop, the vulture overhead, the turtle in the leaves. In her 13 years, she has introduced us to all our neighbors - who we hadn't more than seen in the first 7 years here. She brings in the newspaper and the mail. Sometimes she tries to bring in the neighbor's newspaper. I's the Raleigh one; we get the Durham one. She, with the cat she has now trained, tell us when it's time for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, their dinner, our dinner, our dinner, and bed. Yes, they can tell time. If you doubt, come here just before 5:30, their dinner time. No matter how convoluted the rest of the schedule, they both know exactly when that is. Even with daylight savings time. She gives us unconditional love, no matter how she's feeling, what our moods are like, or anything. She listens to us complain about each other, the economy, the world.... She never complains to us. Yup, I guess that Fergie is just a pet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in2adventure Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 Fergie is "just a pet". In that we don't herd, do agility, play flyball.... But what that "just" means. She sleeps next to us every night. If one of us is sick, she's in the bed to nurse and comfort. She gets up when we do. Unless we sleep after the sun is shining in the window.Then she finds a nose to lick to remind us it's daytime. She makes us stretch and get down on the floor to rub her tummy while she washes our faces. If only we'd smile, she'd clean our teeth, too. She makes us take walks. At least 4 or 5 a day. At least a mile each. She encourages us to notice the beauties of nature. We might miss that heron poop, the vulture overhead, the turtle in the leaves. In her 13 years, she has introduced us to all our neighbors - who we hadn't more than seen in the first 7 years here. She brings in the newspaper and the mail. Sometimes she tries to bring in the neighbor's newspaper. I's the Raleigh one; we get the Durham one. She, with the cat she has now trained, tell us when it's time for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, their dinner, our dinner, our dinner, and bed. Yes, they can tell time. If you doubt, come here just before 5:30, their dinner time. No matter how convoluted the rest of the schedule, they both know exactly when that is. Even with daylight savings time. She gives us unconditional love, no matter how she's feeling, what our moods are like, or anything. She listens to us complain about each other, the economy, the world.... She never complains to us. Yup, I guess that Fergie is just a pet. That's the perfect description of "just a pet" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Daisy is also my pet. We don't do any sports because she has a bucket full of issues. But to be honest with you, I don't think she minds. I freelance from home on top of a 9-5 job and she always knows when I'm getting stressed out and will just come stand by me so I can pet her back. She is my constant shadow, always with me or on top of me. We do take her to group classes and of course lots of walks, but she is really happiest when all her people are home and she can just snuggle up with us. She's a natural goof ball and is always more than willing to listen to us when we need an extra ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 I would love to see in person a border collie in herding competition ( sure I didn't say it correctly) . I have been looking to see if there is any competition in Florida or New Mexico. When are you in New Mexico? Are you near Albuquerque? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Not just a pet. Jin is my friend as every BC I have ever had was. -They cheer me up when I'm depressed, share my sleeping bag when camping on a cold night and entertain me with their antics. My constant companions. Life is not really life without a BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth77 Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Meg is a wonderful companion. At times my child when I have to admonish her, then my sister when we share fun and walks and chats. She is also a parent when I am a little sad and she cuddles me and tells me it will be fine. Meg is my listener when I tell her and discuss things with her could be anything. Combine these and you have the best friend in the world. I love my Meg so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattinky Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Not just a pet. Jin is my friend as every BC I have ever had was. -They cheer me up when I'm depressed, share my sleeping bag when camping on a cold night and entertain me with their antics. My constant companions. Life is not really life without a BC. I could'nt have said it better! My last dog Roxie loved to go camping, she thought sleeping in the tent with me was the greatest thing on earth. She could sure snuggle up with you and keep you warm on a cold night. She was my constant companion 24-7 and was the best friend I ever had. Reading your post really brought back some great memories of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 One of our four dogs, Sammie, is strictly a pet. I've done a bit of training with him here and there, but nothing nearly as structured and focused as the training that I do with my other three. He enjoys sniffing in our yard and hanging out with other dogs. He likes to hike and to swim. Mostly, he likes to explore and sniff the world. He actually does enjoy laying in front of the fire in the wintertime and he is the best foot snuggler in the world! His "job" really is just being there as our companion. He is the dog in our house who does most of the true alert barking, so he provides a bit of home protection, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 When are you in New Mexico? Are you near Albuquerque? We are in the North - Angel Fire -from June to Mid November. God's country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic4taz Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Kaycee is our family pet. She is so attached to all of us including our 4 1/2 y/o. She loves her daily excercise and loves nothing more than to play with her ball 24/7. She will keep bring it and bring it and bring it --- Obsessed is the perfect word =) We love her dearly and as she gets older we may think about flyball, but for now we just enjoy her company and antics... =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnLloydJones Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Senneca's primary role in life is to be our family dog. I avoid calling her a "pet" because, for some people, it has connotations of a disposable thing,. We live far from our daughters and my wife suffered from bouts of depression and lonliness, so a companion dog was an obvious remedy. I grew up with a BCx and when we moved into our new house, my wife had promised that we would get a dog (although, as it turned out, her mental image of "dog" was a pomeranian). A family dog is simply part of the family; she takes part in pretty much everything we do. Yes, as many people have said, she is a friend and partner. She may not have our language, but she has excellent communication skills and has trained my wife pretty well (I wish I could do so as good). She is my self-appointed alarm clock and my shadow around the house. She is my wife's anti-depressant medicine and her "little doll". She has also made a dog person of our youngest daughter and SIL (who was scared to come to our house the first time because we had a dog). [being family means putting up with our daughter doing silly things with her.] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 We are in the North - Angel Fire -from June to Mid November. God's country There are monthly USBCHA-sanctioned trials in Mountainair from May through August (you said you wanted to come see one). For more info, see the Free to Be Ranch website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 Annie does engage in some activities, but not on a formal basis; her sole role is to be a companion. Her ex officio activities include catching and retrieving balls and frisbees, visits to a local convalescent home and a children's ward as a therapy dog, playing soccer with Special Olympians, and serving as navigator/lookout on my rowboat when we go fishing. My vet believes that Annie would be an outstanding SAR dog, and we will probably pursue that after I retire; but for now, her only assignments are to give and receive love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted March 8, 2009 Report Share Posted March 8, 2009 I'm starting to train again, but Quinn has been my first non-competition dog in several years. I think he'd enjoy agility and obedience. He loves to do discdog which we do on our own, but I'm having a hard time motivating myself for competition of any sort currently. So for now, Quinn is my constant companion, house jester, alarm system and ridealong dog extraordinaire. Some day he might be my competition partner and that would be gravy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue_Deutscher Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I've never seen a puppy have such a velcroe mouth, be so inquisitive, or able to get into so much "trouble" like Pete can. While I provide him with plenty of good chewies, including fresh beef knuckle bones every couple of days, he still wants to dismantle and remodel many items of furniture, plants and carpet. He thinks the laundry detergent should be spread all over the living room floor, and the pots don't need all that dirt in them. He can now jump over the gate that had kept him in the room with the doggie door. He watches me and is getting very good at predicting. Car keys mean going somewhere. Refrigerator could mean cheese. Hose means chase the water. Last night, he bounced from one end of the couch to the other, apparently just for the joy of it. A moment later, he was sound asleep. I know the bond that comes from working as a team with a partner (as in horse). But Pete is "just" my pet, and when he slows down enough, I actually get to "pet" him. He likes to empty his bucket of toys and toss them in the air. He reminds me to be adventurous, to explore and of course, to laugh. Excuse me. He's got the toilet brush again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphys mom Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Murphy will be my pet someday . Right now he is my exercise trainer! My arms are much stronger than ever before, I have had to quicken my response time to everything when he's around . My balance on ice and snow has improved alot! Now, if only I could read his mind before he reads mine, I'd be in good shape mentally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaderBug Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 My two dogs at home have a sole job of being my dad's buddies. They're not trained to do anything except be my dad's support. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but my dad has MS and I'm not really sure what he'd do without those dogs. He'll let them get away with a lot of stuff, whether it's something they do or he does (he'll call me and say "shhh! don't tell anyone, but Rocko and Sasha really liked the Oreo I just gave them!" or "shhh! Don't tell your mother but the dogs are in the house right now!") I'd say it's a pretty good job to have Jade is pretty much a pet right now. She is learning rally and herding, but I primarily got her because I was really depressed here at school when I didn't have any animals (dogs) to take care of. Someday down the road we will get a Great Dane, which will pretty much completely be a pet, and my fiance will get a GSD to be his 'shop buddy.' Breaking the rules and getting away with it: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertranger Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Your Dad sounds like my kind of guy but do me a favor please. Try to get him to stop giving them chocolate. I use to give my dogs a piece of chocolate now and then until my vet me told me it is toxic for dogs. Try licorice. Fat free, no sugar. All of my BC's have loved licorice and they seem to savor it as they chew. Not like biscuits which just disappear. My compliments to your dogs and father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnLloydJones Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I use to give my dogs a piece of chocolate now and then until my vet me told me it is toxic for dogs. The toxic dose it quite large. As far as I am concerned, the biggest danger is that once a dog gets the taste, they would be more likely to scarf down enough to put them in danger, so I never let Senneca get even a tiny piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Bliss is a pet. She's not even a very fun pet. She doesn't fetch. She will go grab the toy, shake it and drop it. That is the extent of her play. She's a service dog drop out. Why didn't I place her? Well, she's an easy keeper. Not much fun for anyone. Just sleeps. My mother loves her and is eager to babysit which I think helps her. Here's to you Bliss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan28 Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Gus is really a pet right now, but that may not always be the case. He is still just a pup, but I may eventually try him for flyball or agility. He has a ton of focus and will play fetch with a ball or his frisbee all day long. Even at a crowded dog park, he remains focused on fetching no matter how crazy the other dogs are behaving. A guy I met at the dog park who has an Australian Shepard, wants to start a flyball team and wants Gus to be in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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