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Dublin: 0 °C Thursday 9 January, 2025

12 things only dog owners will understand

They’re called man’s best friend for a reason.

SOME THINGS IN life, only another dog owner can understand.

Sashay away, cat people. This is about dogs.

1. People don’t get that your dog is actually incredibly smart

Sure, you tell them that the dog can understand up to 10 words and recognises their favourite music, but you can tell they don’t FULLY appreciate how smart your pooch is. Because he’s probably the most intelligent dog in the world.

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2. There’s nothing better than your dog welcoming you home

Cuddles from an excited pup can alleviate even the bluest of moods.

Anjula Pomeranians / YouTube

3. They can communicate better than people sometimes

Hungry? Tired? Excited? Annoyed? Your dog can get the message across just fine.

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4. It’s a disaster if they get at the presses

One DailyEdge.ie staffer had a dog get at an entire bag of Country Store muesli in a cupboard left foolishly ajar. You can imagine how fun that was.

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5. Baths always cause a bit of a rift

And don’t even mention the “vet” word. Sulks for weeks.

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6. Throw the ball once, and you’re there all afternoon

One does not simply throw the tennis ball once.

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7. Letting them off the lead will result in a stinky dog

They WILL find something to roll around in and it WILL stink.

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8. The dog knows ALL your grievances

No one knows more of your secrets, more of your insecurities and more of your life’s gossip than the family dog. Dogs are actually like fluffy, furry counsellors sometimes.

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9.  You haven’t eaten a meal at home in peace for years

The dog will just stare you out of it until you share what you have. Whatever it is. Just share it.

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10. No matter what they do, you can’t stay angry

Even when they eat the spines out of your favourite books, or chew one of your runners beyond recognition, or eat your credit card statement, there’s no way to stay annoyed at the dog.

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11. Everything you own is covered in hair

Within seconds of any new item of clothing entering your home, it will be covered in a fine layer of hair. It’s almost impressive, the speed at which the dog can coat things in their fluff.

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12. They are 100% a member of the family

And only another dog owner will ever understand the awful, genuine pain of losing a family pet.

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Read: This pile of sleepy terriers are you because you’re just done>

Read: 9 dogs who just really want one tiny slice of your pizza, okay? 

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73 Comments
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    Mute TOP CAT
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    May 18th 2014, 6:22 PM

    A bond between a Dog and his owner will only be broken when one of them dies…..
    A Dog will always show you unconditional love….
    He is man’s best friend for a reason…

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    Mute rebeckaah
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    May 18th 2014, 10:36 PM

    Why are you called top cat then…?…agree about the dogs tho :-)

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    Mute That's all folk's
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    May 19th 2014, 12:30 AM

    And woman’s.

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    Mute That's all folk's
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    May 19th 2014, 12:31 AM

    Pretty sure top dog Is right up there too.

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    Mute Sean C
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    May 19th 2014, 11:33 PM

    I thought Diamond’s were a girl’s best friend…;).

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    May 18th 2014, 6:09 PM

    I always thought “it’s just a dog”. Then we got one. Ché. A little Jack Russell. Love him to bits. He costs less than €1 a day to keep, cheaper than an Eircom Alarm. And never been burgled in 9 years. Unlike our non dog owning neighbours. Wouldn’t be without one.

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    Mute Lloyd Christmas
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    May 18th 2014, 6:18 PM

    Dogs are the best alarm ever, any noise and they’re going mad at the window

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    Mute Petra Madill
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    May 18th 2014, 6:13 PM

    They’re up at the crack of dawn looking to play / go out / eat or just looking for someone to talk to.

    If you’re up earlier they can be found somewhere upside down snoring their heads off

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    Mute Tomas Lyne
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    May 18th 2014, 7:19 PM

    Lock your dog and your girlfriend in the boot if your car for one hour and see which one licks your face when you open it.

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    Mute Vanessa Curley
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    May 19th 2014, 8:16 AM

    I always say that to people who look at me weird when i tell them i prefer dogs over people :) currently raising money for a skydive i’m doing next month for an animal charity that deals mainly with dogs :)

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    May 18th 2014, 7:02 PM

    You can’t beat the greeting from your dog when you come home after a day at work!!!! It’s and hour of cuddles!!!

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    Mute Laura O Sullivan
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    May 18th 2014, 6:56 PM

    My dogs are my best friends would be lost without them currently 37weeks pregnant and they’re protective of me and my bump

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    Mute Chief
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    May 18th 2014, 7:54 PM

    Congrats but just a tip laura, if they’re protective and you’re rewarding this protection it could be bad in the future.

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    Mute Laura O Sullivan
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    May 18th 2014, 7:59 PM

    Thanks hun not rewarding it as I’ve been warned of the pros and cons of it :) dogs have started been confined to their own space in the house

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    Mute Anne O'Hara
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    May 18th 2014, 6:07 PM

    Don’t own a dog but thankfully my friends have a really smart cookie. She KNOWS it’s my job to throw balls/sticks/whatever-is-handy for her so she goes nuts when she sees me. Therapy for all my trials and tribulations. Love Amber to bits

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    Mute James Kelly
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    May 18th 2014, 10:04 PM

    A dog is a true friend as he/she is never a critic!

    I had a springer, Ned, who was 21 and older than my daughter when he died. I still miss him today and always think of him as 1st November approaches each year. Dogs are good for us period.

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    Mute Gizmo mac
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    May 18th 2014, 6:08 PM

    My gizmo poled the neighbours collie, proud day!

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    Mute Lloyd Christmas
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    May 18th 2014, 6:16 PM

    I fell flat on my face the other day in the house, dunno how it happened, anyway, lying on the ground there not knowing what was going on and the dog licking my face, they always have your back and are always there for you

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    Mute Sarah Jane Colhoun Scally
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    May 18th 2014, 7:30 PM

    The best thing about dogs is that they’re not humans. They have their priorities right and remind us that there is more to life. As for the comment about your weekends are never your own or being tied down? It’s not like having a child though there is something nice about being responsible for a dog. Especially when they consider you to be their favourite person.

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    Mute Edward Cullen
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    May 18th 2014, 6:52 PM

    I love my tiger ( a Jack Russell ), I talk to him everyday and he always gives me a nice welcome home when I return from college. The saying is true dogs are a man’s best Friend.

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    Mute John Sherrit
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    May 18th 2014, 10:51 PM

    My dog max died earlier this year after 13 years together and I still miss him every day we have a new pup now who’s a complete nutter and brings such joy the 4 weeks in between were some of the saddest in my life. I’d never be without one again.

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    Mute Lovely weather
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    May 18th 2014, 11:40 PM

    John, have a look at ‘The Ralph site’ FaceBook page. Good to read after a pet dies.

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    Mute Jill callan
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    May 20th 2014, 7:10 AM

    As I say, when u get a new dog after one dies, u’re not replacing them u’re just making new memories.

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    Mute Owen Kennedy
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    May 18th 2014, 9:28 PM

    Some wuff comments here tonight. I care more about my dog than I do about a lot of people.

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 6:32 PM

    And one thing dog owners are incapable of understanding; I don’t care how much you love your dog, or how friendly you say it is – in public places keep it on a lead and keep it away from my kids.

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    Mute Jim Brady
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    May 18th 2014, 6:38 PM

    I’m Glad you raised that point, because funnily enough, many parents don’t keep their kids under effective control and away from my dogs.
    http://www.childharness.ca

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    Mute Stephen
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    May 18th 2014, 6:42 PM

    Will do Padraig, just you return the favour and keep your kids under control.

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    Mute Karen Cluskey
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    May 18th 2014, 6:43 PM

    Good man Jim, was just about to say it. Kids just run over and grab dogs and pull their tails or whatever and parents think that’s cute so cop on and watch your kids, the parks are big enough for both!

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 6:47 PM

    Controlling my kids is my responsibility and I will of course keep them away from your animals. However I am not obliged by bye-laws to keep my kids on leashes in public places; dog owners are

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    Mute Jim Brady
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    May 18th 2014, 6:54 PM

    Incorrect, most bye-laws stipulate “effective control” often misinterpreted as “on a lead”

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    Mute Anne O'Hara
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    May 18th 2014, 6:55 PM

    A lead is not necessarily the answer. Why don’t you ask pet-owners to train their dogs? Not saying it’s easy (no more then training a child) but we should all respect public places and each other whether human or otherwise.

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    Mute Stephen
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    May 18th 2014, 6:58 PM

    Agreed Padraig, a lot of really stupid dog owners out there, not stupid dogs but stupid owners. I’d never let my dogs approach any strangers especially kids..

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 6:59 PM

    @jim – that’s the bye law where I live. There are exceptions listed; areas specifically set aside for letting dogs off the lead, otherwise it states “it is an offence for a dog to be off the lead”

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    Mute Connie Nolan
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    May 18th 2014, 7:02 PM

    Being a bit of a grump Padriag! I for one always have my dog on a leash, but the main problem are kids running up to him constantly! I appreciate you saying you’ll keep your kids away, but most parents don’t. Most dog owners I know would agree.

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    Mute Sergeant Yates
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    May 18th 2014, 7:05 PM

    The factory isn’t always the answer.

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 7:14 PM

    @connie a personal statement from personal experience, ‘Tis all

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    Mute Jim Brady
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    May 18th 2014, 7:14 PM

    I Suggest a compromise- how about dividing the park into 2 areas: one for easy-going laid back and friendly parents/dog owners who don’t get uptight at the prospect of walking past each other, and the other end of the park for the more neurotic?

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 7:17 PM

    Like i say Jim; areas for leash-less dogs exist (round my way at least) so the compromise already exists; you want yor animal off its lead, use one

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    Mute Les Rock
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    May 18th 2014, 7:34 PM

    we had a german shepherd when I was a kid. Never needed a lead. My dads control and the dogs training were 2nd to none

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 8:14 PM

    Thanks for sharing. Utterly irrelevant but thanks anyway.

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    Mute Les Rock
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    May 18th 2014, 9:01 PM

    Yeh. Whatever.

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    May 18th 2014, 9:03 PM

    De nada

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    Mute Jennifer Egan
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    May 18th 2014, 9:29 PM

    I’m a dog owner and always keep my dog on a lead, even though she is the friendliest little thing going and would play with anyone. I think it’s important to respect the fact that a passer by might not want a dog happily jumping on them or may be afraid of dogs and be nervous seeing a dog running around with no restraint. I use an extendable lead so she still has her friend but I can still restrain her if need be

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    Mute Daffy the Bear
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    May 18th 2014, 9:49 PM

    What a pr1ck..

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    Mute John Sherrit
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    May 18th 2014, 10:58 PM

    That’s what the mother of the German Shepard said when it bit me when I was 7 still terrified of seeing one off the lead even today :(

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    Mute Divine Sugar
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    May 19th 2014, 2:50 AM

    I’m not mad on people wandering around with their dogs running about the place. I’ve a small dog (
    10lbs) and I get quite nervous after my sister nearly had her lip ripped off as a child by a dog with an owner nearby so my dog stays on an extendable lead in the park and a smaller lead anywhere else where she’ll be closer to people and roads.

    In saying that I was in the park walking when I saw a family with a couple of children behind me so not wanting them to catch up I sped up and I heard the dad encourage the little girl to ‘go pet the puppy’ and when I turned around the little girl was right behind me about to grab her. I picked her up and walked away.

    As much as people need to take responsibility for their dogs, parents also need to teach their child dog safety like ask the owner before you touch!

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    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
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    May 19th 2014, 7:41 AM

    Pad rain
    Had a bad day?

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    Mute Mike O'Sullivan
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    May 19th 2014, 3:28 PM

    The German shepherds mother could speak?

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    Mute Enda Curtin
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    May 18th 2014, 8:38 PM

    One thing I can definitely say about dogs is that unlike most humans, once they bond with you they will never abandon you and will always be loyal to you no matter what.
    Something that the long established political class have thus far failed to do.

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    Mute Pęter Mulhall
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    May 18th 2014, 8:56 PM

    We have a long coat chihuahua,his hair gets EVERYWHERE,he’s always begging for food,he always barks at passers by or god forbid the doorbell is rung,he pisses in the same spot when were asleep at night……and we’ve a baby due in a few weeks too!! But we wouldn’t change him,he’s a gas man altigether!! #dogsaregreat

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    Mute cosmological
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    May 18th 2014, 6:14 PM

    That child saving cat would soon sort all these dogs out. Can I break the red thumbs record?

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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    May 18th 2014, 6:16 PM

    Now that was some pussy.

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    Mute Kevin Kelly
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    May 18th 2014, 10:00 PM

    Dogs are scientists. Osmosis is their favourite subject. “I see it, it’s on your fork/spoon, but…it will end up on my belly”

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    Mute Allison Smith
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    May 18th 2014, 8:26 PM

    I’d love it if children could be put on leads.
    I miss my dog loads, he.never gave up the chase in trying to catch that rabbit!

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    Mute Niall Griffin
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    May 18th 2014, 6:56 PM

    I don’t understand how dog owners don’t pick up their dog’s mess after them.I mean how hard can it be to put it in a bag and throw it over a wall?!It’s called ‘class’. Look it up!

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    Mute Petra Madill
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    May 18th 2014, 7:07 PM

    A bin is a tad classier

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    Mute Niall Griffin
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    May 18th 2014, 7:42 PM

    Here we go, watches a few episodes of The Dog Whisperer and is now an ‘expert’.

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    Mute Petra Madill
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    May 18th 2014, 8:00 PM

    Yeah I’m a dog sh^t disposal expert

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    Mute Les Rock
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    May 18th 2014, 8:10 PM

    Let out for the day niall eh

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    Mute Niall Griffin
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    May 18th 2014, 10:23 PM

    The usual humour bypass on the Journal I see.

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    Mute Shaunagh
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    May 18th 2014, 10:12 PM

    Wouldn’t be without my Shorkie Molly, she’s small but takes no messing from
    Other dogs, very good with kids and a great guard dog. Plus the welcome home you get from a dog is second to none.

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    Mute Andy Murray
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    May 18th 2014, 6:17 PM

    I just don’t get pets. Why would you get a money draining ball of fur that stinks up your house, and ties you to your house like an anchor – no weekends away for you. I just don’t see the attraction. Dogs are a million times better than cats, but that’s more of a comment on cats than a compliment to dogs.

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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    May 18th 2014, 6:44 PM

    I used to feel just like you Andy, but last September I caved in and got a rescue dog and it has been one of the the best and most rewarding things I have ever done. Dogs are great company and great therapy and I now cannot imagine my home or life without her in it.

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    Mute Karen Cluskey
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    May 18th 2014, 6:45 PM

    I just don’t get you Andy.

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    Mute CHRIS POWER
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    May 18th 2014, 6:58 PM

    Andy is only commenting for a bit of attention the poor lad. Go off, get a dog, and bring it for a walk Andy

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    May 18th 2014, 7:04 PM

    You can always judge a person by the way they treat animals Andy!!!

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    Mute Andy Murray
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    May 18th 2014, 7:31 PM

    I treat animals properly, I’m not a psychopath. That’s quite a leap you made there from “I don’t get them” to “I mistreat them”.

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    Mute Shalalovely
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    May 19th 2014, 10:35 AM

    If you had a dog you’d understand, Andy. But you don’t, therefore you won’t know the way they change your life.
    A couple of years ago, my parents dog started following my dad everywhere he went. She wouldn’t leave his side. They wondered what was going on because she was become incredibly protective. She would rest her head on his leg and stare up at him. She would follow him up the stairs and around the house. During all this time my dad was getting terrible pains in his stomach. After awhile he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was talking to a dog trainer recently and he said that often dogs can sense illness before the person knows themselves.
    Luckily, my dad is better now and their dog has stopped acting as his shadow!
    You’ll never have as good a friend in a human as you will in a dog. Humans just don’t have that selflessness.

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    Mute Chris Day
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    May 19th 2014, 11:04 AM
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    Mute Shalalovely
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    May 19th 2014, 11:14 AM

    Thanks Chris! Amazing really!

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    Mute Accord Moan Eye
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    May 19th 2014, 12:02 PM

    Pretty much everything you said can be applied to children.
    Pets are a million times better than kids.

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    Mute kjholt
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    May 18th 2014, 10:50 PM

    It’s been cat since the dog died..

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    Mute Louise Mullally
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:34 PM

    My boy is thirteen, so not too much longer left, according to those who know! He drives me mad now, peeing where he shouldn’t and constantly following me everywhere, he has bad hips, so I am terrified he will fall down the stairs. But……. For each of those thirteen years he has been my friend, my confidante, my reason to get out and about, and nothing beats the way he smiles at me. I love my dog !

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