Have you ever experienced a “Heart Dog”?

I have a cat that I am very close to. I raised her from a bottle and I swear she understands every word from my mouth. We interact as two people would. I love her with all my heart and she is more like my child than my cat.

Yes! My labradoodle is absolutely the love of my life and I know exactly what he wants all the time, while the rest of my family is confused when he does things. He understands what I want from him anytime, and he (almost) always obeys me. The bond between us is unbreakable.

Here is mine: http://www.eastwooddanes.com/In_Memory.html

When I was a kid I had a special bond w/ one of my neighbor’s dogs. She wasn’t mine, but I loved her to death. My parents said I could not have her even though my neighbors were trying to give her away. When they finally did I was REALLY sad for a long time.

My Boo is my heart. Hell, as weird as this sounds, when she needs to pee, I need to pee. When she’s hungry, so am I. If ever I fall, she comes running, is she screams, I’m there in a flash. She’s what I live for, in a far more literal way than most understand. I get lectured by friends that I care about the dog more than myself, and it’s all true.

How can I help it? She is my heart-dog.

Yes. I’ve experienced a special dog. I have a new rescue heart dog. he is terrified of everyone else, especially men, but he trusts me implicitly. It is a huge responsibility to not let this boy down.

He was obviously alpha rolled one too many times by a Cesar Millan wannabee.

I know exactly what you mean. I had a dog named Ali. He was just a mutt that nobody wanted. He had been abused and when we 1st got him, oh my word, that dog was horrible. He tore up my furntiture including a full size couch and a love seat pluss all my throw pillows (he was a 160lb mutt), he would pee on the floor everytime you raised your voice (even just in play) and would bite peoples hands and heels if anyone came over to the house. But I stuck it out with him. I showed him love and patience. I took him to some obedience training and took hour long walks with him. He slept at the foot of my bed with his own pillow and blanket. I tried to let him sleep in bed with me, but he was a bed hog and I had no room…lol. We became very very close. He became very protective of me and I could tell exactly what kind of bark or growl meant what. I found out he loved apples, so ever night we shared an apple and watched Star Trek. He became the best dog I ever had. Every where I went, he went too. He loved car rides and would just sit with his nose out the window. Ali was one of a kind. He came to me needing love when every one else had abondoned him and I was able to turn him into the greatest animal possible. I learned alot from him and miss him dearly. I still cry when I think about him. He was my “heart dog”.

Yes. I was visiting my dad on his farm when he mentioned a dog living under a rental property on the farm next to his.
The dog had been abused and abandoned. The dog kept hanging around the local gas station, but some of the guys were kicking it away because he was wandering into their work areas. One of the guys in the gas station took him to this house because the woman had dogs. They were big show dogs, and this dog was really scruffy, so she just basically threw food out on occasion and let him live under the house. It was also snowing and really cold. He looked like a huge matted ball of grey and black hair with sticks. I took him, bathed him as best I could, got shots, and flew him home with me. The vet said he was about 7 yrs. old.
He was so shy and jittery that I had to wait several weeks to have him groomed, as he was really one big mat. I explained the situation to a nearby groomer and she agreed to groom him. It took her all day to do this one dog. I couldn’t believe it when I saw him. He was a snow white, absolutely beautiful poodle! He looked at me with eyes so filled with hope it was heartbreaking. He and I became inseperable. I never had to use a leash to walk him as he stayed right by my side, even when we moved to a big city 2500 miles away. He was perfect in every way, and I swear, he used to hug me when I would leave for work. He seemed to understand everything that was going on. Everyone loved him. I truly believe we had a connection that goes beyond the average human/dog bond. I lost him when he was 20 years old (about 10 years ago) and even though I have 2 wonderful dogs now (both rescue, naturally), he will always be my “heart dog”.
Sorry this is so long, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about him.
Great question!

Yes. I’ve experienced it. Although non-dog lovers can mock those of us who have shared the life transforming experience of having a heart dog (pet).

Those people who aren’t open enough to let an animal touch their heart? I feel sorry for them.

Ghandi said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”

The first German Shepherd my boyfriend and I bought was supposed to be his dog, but Major loved me and became my dog. Major knew my every mood and would lie beside me for hours if that was what I needed. Cloud who we bought to be Major’s companion was my dog. Major died at 10 and I thought my heart would break. Cloud became an “only dog” for the first time in her 10 years of living. She and I were inseparable and she loved to go with me wherever I went–she was always ready to go back home after we got to wherever we were going. Then when Cloud was 12, I brought Buck home. Cloud made him an excellent German shepherd. She was the boss and she NEVER lost a game of tug with Buck. (Maybe he let her win????) She died at 14 which in German Shepherds is ancient. Buck has been an only dog for about a year and a half. He is a wonderful dog, and he seems to become more attuned to me all the time. We both miss Cloud. I miss Major sometimes so badly that I cry and he has been gone about 5 years now. Shortly before I lost Major, Heston, my first conformation shepherd, had to be put down. I had to re-home him because he kept attacking Major. Heston didn’t make it very long. I lost Heston and Major within 2 months of each other. All the love went to Cloud who relished in it. When I brought puppy Buck home (8 weeks), everytime I left the house with him, I am sure Cloud thought he would never be back. All of my dogs had different personalities, but Major will always be special in my heart. As wonderful as Buck is, he is more independent, like Cloud was. My heart is breaking now for those 3 wonderful dogs I have lost. I need to go home and cuddle Buck some.

Once in a lifetime dogs…heart dogs….we are so fortunate if one comes into our lives. The husband of a friend of mine is a vet, and he has said many times “dogs are a gift from God.” Regardless of a person’s religious beliefs, dogs are very special.

I used to travel extensively on business, and work 12-15 hours days. So having a dog was out. I took a 2 year sabbatical from working, and in that time, a wonderful little white mini Schnauzer found her way to me.

She has been an absolute joy! I don’t know what I would do w/out her! She is funny, playful, independent, sassy, and totally a momma’s girl! She proudly walks me to the door when I leave for work, knowing it will be her job to watch over the house (while napping of course!) And, I always look forward to the “happy you’re home dance” when I come thru the door after a long day.

Dogs rock!

im going to treat ur questions like u treat mine. thanks for the points who cares. no one. ur dog is scum and needs to die