Tell me about your dog.

What a sweet story, your husband is a lovely man for getting you the puppy you always wanted.

I have had several pets over the years, but my current dog is a German Shepard named Jessi. She currently stinks like wet dog because she decided to go for a swim during pool maintenance.

He is a sweet heart, R1. I feel bad now because at the time I really wanted a rescue dog. But he’s my buddy now and I love him very much.

I hope you’re able to get Jessi smelling better soon!

R1 You have a great husband. I have a 9 year old rescued Greyhound. He has been great. I take him to my office (I am the owner of the business) everyday. They are very quiet and don't bark at all. He has been a godsend to me.

I hope you're feeling better, OP.

I'd never had a dog, just cats growing up. When we finally had a house and yard we got a spaniel mix puppy. She was amazing, adding so much to our lives and relationship. Enjoy Buddy and take care of each other!

You were not "incredibly" sick, OP.

Being near death is no excuse for loose modifiers.

Nice dog.

My dog is a found maltipoo named Smoke (I called him that because he looked like a.little puff of smoke coming down the stairs). For the life of me, I will never understand why his owners ever abandoned him (he was found wandering arou d with a leash still attached to his collar, but no chip or ID tag). He was completely housetrained, only barks when he's excited to go out and is friendly to every dog and person he meets. Right now he is sitting pressed up against the back of my neck on our "coral throne". He is a good dog.

I hope you're feeling better, Ernst. I just spent the day with my older brother and his dog, and have to face the idea that his dog just doesn't like me. She's a Chihuahua-Pit bull mix, and I've discovered that I flinch in her presence, which is a brand new reaction for me. I was mortified that he put her in her crate after she bit me. You and your husband sound lovely.

R7 - how do you know he was abandoned if he had a leash still on? Sounds like the dog ran away and the owners couldn't find the dog.

The dog didn't put the leash on himself.

Well, the owners made no effort to find him, so theres that.

I’m not sharing my favorite because that’s a 21 year-old heartbreak and you assholes haven’t earned that.

I’ll offer you my last baby. A shelter offered me an old cocker spaniel who had been ditched on a highway. She had Cuddly-Duddly fur and her toes reeked of corn chips. They promised me she was nine years old - I didn’t want a young dog - but we had to wait until she weaned puppies (I don’t think she was that old).

At home, she tried to convince us that she didn’t eat dog food and had my dad - who had dementia - feeding her whenever she wanted. I was still in my blue buffalo yuppie period and I tried to get her to her proper weight.

She feared the siamese and bullied the tom cat. My funniest memory was of her trying to chase a pregnant stray cat across the yard; she was waddling. The cat was waddling. The cat would stop and look back panting. She’d stop and pant - catching her breath. Then they’d start the chase over again like it was their job.

I was moving and a family friend started baby talking to her. She was in love. The friend took her in, got her down to a healthy weight, and she lived another four years. She was 18 by shelter estimates. I’m pretty sure they lied.

I’m glad you have a good one, R3! I’m sure some dogs do well in that environment. Buddy would not be happy with a bunch of people around.

Thank you, R4. I’m getting back to normal. I’ve struggled more with my blood sugar in the past year than I did for the decade before.

Thank you, R5. I spend a lot of time talking to him and taking care of him. He makes being “home alone” not totally suck.

R7, crazy that happened! Sounds like a good dog.

R8, I’m getting there. It’s been a battle with my blood sugar the past few months. I’m not sure what’s up. The endocrinologist says everything looks normal.

That’s a cute story, R11. I think sometimes people just say things that sound correct but they don’t actually know. If she did live that long though that is great.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their stories so far. They’re fun to read.