perfect companions

sorry to be talking about a work-related topic again, but oh well...

this thought process came up since i see people come in with their dogs every day... it applies with cats, too, but i think dogs more-so.

dogs seem to be the exact perfect companion for humans.  and of course everyone knows the "a dog is a man's best friend" thing....

1st point:

back in the day, people started training wolves and coyotes(there's actually some speculation about this... that there was another ancestor that is now extinct that wolves, coyotes, and dogs all evolved from, but that's another topic)

so the humans gave them what they needed and the pre-"dogs" gave humans what they needed- and over time, people began the whole breeding thing and started breeding specific preferable characteristics, which over lots and lots of time led to the tons of different dog breeds we have today.  so it was like the dog species was made FOR humans BY humans.

2nd point:

(most) dogs are all so cute!  there's nothing better than having this cute, furry companion running around to entertain you all the time, or to comfort you when you need it.  i think sometimes how cool it is that people have these cute little creatures that we just have around.

.this is colisha's dog, Gage!  he's a tiny blue chihuahua with an adorable personality!  if you pretend to hit someone, he will run up and start trying to defend the person being attacked.

3rd point:

i think pretty much all dogs have awesome personalities, good hearts, and beautiful little souls- if they're bad, i think it is pretty much completely the fault of the owner.  so people get dogs, and they end up being one of your best friends and a member of the family.  every day, i see people come into the clinic with their pets, and you can see how much they love and care about them.  and it's also obvious the deep compassion and love and attachment the ani

mals have fo

r their owners.  it's a beautiful thing to see. :)

4th point:

(most) dogs are covered in hair- if they weren't, they wouldn't be the most ideal pet/companion.  dogs love being petted.  and people love petting dogs.  and most of

 that has to do with the fact that they are furry.

5th point:

people are very easily bored and can be lazy.  dogs are perfect for laying around with, but also perfect at entertaining.  whether you're teaching them tricks, watching 

them play with a toy, watching them run circles around the house for no reason, playing fetch or frisbee, or just playing with them in general, dogs are ideal entertainment.  and this is for absolutely any age group.  really small children of course are fascinated by dogs...  they just laugh and laugh.  i

 guess as a tiny kid, it would be amazing and hilarious to see this unknown furry creature doing funny things.  and as teens, young adults, adults, and even the oldest of people-all can enjoy dogs. 

.this is jed's dog diego!  he's one of those big, muscular dogs that doesn't realize how big he is.

6th point:

they are so easily trainable- some probably harder than others- but in general, dogs are very good at learning and being able to follow commands.  they seem to have a deep respect and love for being with us and actually seem to enjoy learning commands- i guess maybe that's because they think they'll get a treat for it.  

this brings up something else kind of related-  there are a lot of overweight dogs that come into the clinic... and doc told one owner- you don't have to give your dog treats or people food to reward them- they are just as happy to get a pat on the head or a hug... they're just happy getting any kind of acknowledgement, praise or attention from you.  and it's so cute when we have boarders come in and when i'm in the room with them, i can see if they know any commands, and they always seem so excited to sit or shake.  and there have been a few that i have discovered to be exceptionally good at catching balls.

7th and i think final point:

there are so many to choose from- big, small, tons of hair, barely any hair, spotted, speckled, all white, smushed face, long face, extra skinny, chunky, short, tall, long, no tail, half a tail, long tail, energetic, lazy, howler, yippy, etc.!

.and of course, i had to include a picture of Charlie.  this was my family's sweet, perfect dog for 14 years...