Why Dogs Make the Best Friends

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. My favorite pet is

    • 169
      Dog
    • 35
      Cat
    • 54
      Both
    • 9
      other

267 members have participated

http://men.msn.com/articlemh.aspx?cp-documentid=5558017&page=1

I was just wondering if there was a relationship between pet type, gender and nursing specialty....Post your responses...

Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm a 51 y/o female, nursing assistant in LTC and nursing student. My beloved golden retriever, Santee, died 2 months ago, just before his 10th birthday. He was my first dog, had him since he was 8 weeks old and I miss him so much! He came into my life as I was getting out of an abusive marriage, and was truly a godsend. He was my protector, comforter, shoulder to cry on and constant source of unconditional love.

I've promised myself another golden retriever as a graduation gift to myself. Time and space prohibit getting one now, or I would! My goal is to train him as a therapy dog, and hopefully find a facility that will allow him to accompany me, at least sometimes.

For now, I have a (mouthy) cockatiel, actually my daughter's, who is away at college.

I'm a 38 yr old Female, NICU hopeful (currently 1/2 way through LPN schooling). I have had cats as long as I can remember (only pets allowed in the apartments we lived in as kids).

Currently, I have two domestic short haired cats, both females, and I have two boxers both a few month from turning 2 yrs old, one male and one female. Those comical two can make me smile even on the worst day with their puppy like antics. Nothing beats their human like expressions, deep soulful eyes and the best kisses ever. (The two dogs are nicknamed The Brat Pack)

I lost my "best" friend the day after Christmas in 2005. She was also a boxer. I love love love boxers and would never have another breed! Even my hubby, a self proclaimed "animal disliker" loves our dogs and said I can have other dogs when the time comes that these two pass, but they can only be boxers :lol2:

If I had to choose between cats or dogs...DOGS hands down. Like the other poster I've cried tears of laughter, joy and sorrow for them.

I still get weepy when I think of my lost girl. She was the best ever! Never to be replaced.

Specializes in LTC, MNGMNT,CORRECTIONS.

49YO Female. RN. Currently corrections. 4 YO black female cat, named Stormie. She is a Manx. (no tail) She is indoor / outdoor, 9 YO Dalmation / lab mix, strictly outdoor (because he stinks). We live in the country, he does a real good job keeping unwanted critters out of the yard. My favorite 10 month old Asti. She is a Mini Schnauzer. Asti is a very affectionate lap dog.

Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

Female, starting new Psych job tomorrow, love both cats and dogs.

Have 2 cats, 1 pit bull, and all 3 are grey and super adorable.

Nursing student here.

Own 2 ex-racing greyhounds. ADORE them. They seem very grateful to have been rescued. They are the sweetest things alive. Make you feel good to hug them after a bad day.

Specializes in Emergency.

ER charge nurse - female - two cats.

I don't dislike dogs, but they are definitely too emotionally needy for me to have fulltime. Another poster mentioned how dogs love unconditionally. Mmmm, this sounds kind of dysfunctional to me. If you iritate cats, they let you know it. I like that. Very direct.

Retired nurse-female-dog

Private duty currently waiting hand and foot on my Old English Sheepdog.

He is elegant, kind and very affectionate. Loves to play and

loves people. Nice temperment. He is 3 1/2 years old and

our goal is to train him as a therapy dog.

:balloons:

jojotoo-whats emotionally needy?:smilecoffeecup:

Female LPN, LTC We have 1 German Shepherd female, 3.5 year old rehome, 2 Groenendal (Belgian Shepherds/Belgian Sheepdog) half sisters, 10 & 9 years old & waiting on the nephew to the Groens to be born in January. Hopefully will get to see the ultrasound photos next week! My dogs are my lifeline, companions, helpers & partners. The Belgian girls are also therapy dogs & show dogs. We do obedience, conformation, rally, freestyle and we dabble in agility. The oldest girl is also trained as a cadaver dog & is our local kennel club's canine ambassador that visits schools.

Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho, Tele, ICU, Hospice.

CNA / student here. Male. Ortho/med surg/stepdown.

Mine's a shih tzou - bichon friese mix (and I'm betting i didn't spell it right!)

When I left hospice for the hospital, my exboss told me I was welcome to leave though I had to bring the dog around once in a while. So he's a pet therapist, I'm a chauffer. Really, he brightens everyone's day.

He's boisterous, but seems really good at picking up on moods - esp. with terminal pts and family, he doesn't disrupt. Many's the day I'll pick him up and put in him someone's bed only to have him curl up in their lap.

Oh, and he's hypoallergenic. Very important.

Specializes in Schoolnurse,homehealth,specialneeds,IHS.

currently, 2 dogs male lab mixes. They dont ever argue with you or tell you your faults( I think I know that already) Love unconditionally, even when youre in a bad mood. all they want to do is please you. I used to bring my best dog (that has since passed away) into the nursing home where I worked to visit residents. They loved the visits and would remenise (sp) about their own long lost pets that they used to have. It really brightened their day.

Specializes in Psych..

I just had to resurrect this thread.

Female nursing student here, and obvious cat lover.

My cats greet me at the door every time I walk in, even if I've been gone 5 minutes. They come running if I am crying and bump their heads against mine. They even come running if my husband and I are raising our voices (even if we're just talking to each other from different rooms) and watch us with concerned, tennis match faces. They are 13 and 8, and are my furry children.

Both my cats came from shelters, and if I am ever brave enough to get a dog and take on the training that comes with it, the dog would come from a shelter too.

Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

I grew up with dogs, all my life.

As an adult on my own, I had a yellow lab mix Sandy, and added a chocolate lab pure bred "Cappuccino". I had Sandy 9 years, and Cappy 6 years.

Long story short, we LOVED our dogs. Our grandson became allergic to our dogs. Started with watery eyes, but progressed to hives and wheezing minutes after coming through the door.

It was a tough choice, but we had to get rid of the dogs. I found good homes for them both, and keep in contact with their new owners. They've been gone going on 3 years now, still miss them.

Interesting side note to the story: After we got rid of the dogs, all of my "seasonal allergies" went away. Seems I was allergic to them as well, and never knew it.

So, now we have two cats. We love them. But they don't give you the loving and adoration a dog does.

+ Add a Comment