32 Signs of Loving Dog 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Makes the Best Valentine Date Dogs Love and Feelings to Human and Other Dogs How dog and puppy shows love to the owner Puppies Love, Feelings and Kisses Dogs Wedding & Marriage Valentine Dog Cards Dog Love Poems, Quotes and Stories
IF YOU WANT TO CAUSE A COMMOTION IN ANY PSYCHOLOGY department or any other place where animal and human behaviour is studied, all that you have to do is to claim that your dog loves you. Skeptics, critics, and even some ardent supporters will pour out into the halls to argue the pros and cons of that statement.
Among the skeptics you will find the veterinarian Fred Metzger, of Pennsylvania State University, who claims that dogs probably don't feel love in the typical way humans do. Dogs make investments in human beings because it works for them. They have something to gain from putting so-called emotions out there. Metzger believes that dogs "love" us only as long as we continue to reward their behaviours with treats and attention.
For most dog owners, however, there is little doubt that dogs can truly love people. Take the story of Rocky and Rita from the Finger Lakes region of New York State, near Rochester.
Rocky was a solid 65-pound Boxer, classically colored with a chestnut brown coat and a white blaze on his chest. At the time of this story, Rocky was three years old and Rita was his eleven-year-old companion. Rocky had been given to Rita when he was ten weeks old, and she immediately bonded with him, petting him, handfeeding him, teaching him basic commands, and letting him sleep on her bed. Whenever she was not in school, the two were always together and within touching distance. The family would often fondly refer to the pair as "R and R."
Rita was a relatively timid and shy girl, and as the dog grew in stature he brought her a sense of security. When Rocky was next to her she felt confident enough to meet new people and to go to unfamiliar places. Rocky took on the roles, not only of friend and confidant, but also of defender.
When encountering strangers, he would often deliberately stand in front of Rita, as a sort of protective barrier. He seemed to be without fear, such as once when Rita was about to enter a store and two large men dressed in biker outfits burst out of the door, yelling at the shopkeeper and nearly knocking Rita over. Rocky rushed forward, putting himself between the frightened girl and the two threatening men. He braced himself and gave a low rumbling growl that carried such menace that the men backed off and gave the child and her guardian a wide berth.
There was, however, one flaw in Rocky's armour. It was a fear of water that was so extreme that it was almost pathological. Boxers are not strong swimmers in any event, and are often shy of the water. However, Rocky's fears stemmed from his puppyhood, when, at the age of seven weeks, he was sold to a family with an adolescent child. The boy had emotional problems and acted as if the attention bestowed on the new puppy somehow meant that he was less important.
In a jealous rage, he put the puppy in a pillow case, knotted the top and threw it into a lake. Fortunately, the boy's father saw the incident and managed to retrieve the terrified puppy before it drowned. He scolded the boy and returned to the house. The next day the horrified parent saw his son standing waist deep in the lake trying to drown the struggling puppy by holding him under water. This time Rocky was rescued and returned to the breeder for his own safety.
These early traumas made water the only thing that Rocky truly feared. When he came close to a body of water, he would try to pull back and seemed emotionally distressed. When Rita would go swimming in the lake, he would pace along the shore trembling and whimpering. He would watch her intently and would not relax until she returned to dry land.
One late afternoon, Rita's mother took R and R to an upscale shopping area. It was located along the edge of a lake and featured a short wooden boardwalk which was built along the shore over a sharp embankment that was 20 or 30 feet above the surface of the water. Rita was clomping along the boardwalk, enjoying the way the sounds of her footsteps were amplified by the wooden structure. It was then that a boy on a bicycle skidded on the damp wooden surface, hitting Rita at an angle which propelled her through an open section of the guard rail. She let out a shriek of pain and fear as she hurled outward and down, hitting the water face down, and then floating there unmoving.
Rita's mother was at the entrance of a store a hundred feet or so away. She rushed to the railing shouting for help. Rocky was already there, looking at the water, trembling in fear, and making sounds that seemed to be a combination of barks,whimpers, and yelps all rolled into one.
We can never know what went through that dog's mind as he stood looking at the water, the one thing that truly terrified him and that had nearly taken his life twice. Now here was a frightening body of water that seemed about to harm his little mistress. Whatever he was thinking, his love for Rita seemed to overpower his fear and he leapt out through the same open space in the rail and plunged into the water.
One can thank the genetic programming that allowed the dog to swim without any prior practice, and he immediately went to Rita and grabbed her by a shoulder strap on her dress. This caused her to roll over so that her face was out of the water and she gagged and coughed. Despite her dazed state she reached out and managed to cinch her hand in Rocky's collar, while the dog struggled to swim toward the shore. Fortunately the water was calm, they were not far from shore, and Rocky quickly reached a depth where his feet were on solid ground. He dragged Rita until her head was completely out of the water, and then stood beside her, licking her face, while he continued to tremble and whine. It would be several minutes before human rescuers would make it down the steep rocky embankment, and had it not been for Rocky, they surely would have arrived too late.
Rita and her family believe that it was only the big dog's love of the little girl that caused him to take what he must have considered a life-threatening action. This certainly casts doubt on Dr. Metzger's theory that dogs don't love us but act only out of self-interest. Why should Rocky behave in a way that he certainly felt would risk his life? Surely, if he was evaluating the costs and benefits of his actions then he would have known that, even in Rita's absence, the rest of the family would be around to feed him and take care of needs.
Marc Bekoff, a behavioural biologist at the University of Colorado, has a different interpretation. He notes that dogs are social animals. All social animals need emotions, in part as a means of communication-for instance you need to know to back off if another animal is growling. More importantly, however, emotions keep the social group together and motivate individuals to protect and support each other. Bekoff concludes that strong emotion is one of the foundations of social behaviour and is the basis of the connection between individuals in any social group, whether it is a pack, a family or just a couple in love.
Recent research has even identified some of the chemicals associated with feelings of love in humans. These include hormones such as oxytocin, which seems to help people form emotional bonds with each other. One of the triggers that causes oxytocin to be released is gentle physical touching, such as stroking. Dogs also produce oxytocin, and one of our common ways of interacting with dogs is to gently pet them, an action that probably releases this hormone associated with bonding. If dogs as social animals have an evolutionary need for close emotional ties, and they have the chemical mechanisms associated with loving, it makes sense to assume that they are capable of love, as we are.
Rocky's fear of the water was absolute, and never did abate. He continued to avoid it for the rest of his life and no one ever saw him so much as place a foot in the lake again. No one, at least not Rita or her family, ever doubted his love for her. He lived long enough to see an event occur which would not have happened had he not cared for her as much as he did. When Rita graduated from high school, she posed for a photo in her cap and gown. Beside her sat a now much older Boxer. The smiling girl had an arm around the dog, and her hand was cinched in his collar, as it was the day that Rocky unambiguously showed her just how much he loved her.
Do dogs love, and if so, how does your puppy love you? Dogs have well-known reputations as loyal, loving companions the quintessential "man's best friend" and deservedly so. Your puppy thrives on social interaction.
Dogs communicate their moods, emotions, and desires in a variety of ways, from obvious to subtle. Although affection should be reciprocal, our dogs are unique in that many offer us blind adoration, whether we deserve it or not. It is the rare pup who is indifferent to people, although mistreatment and/or poor breeding can warp the canine personality into a dysfunctional animal. Puppies are also individuals, with a wide range of personalities.
How Puppies Show Love to Other Pets
Puppies show their affection toward other dogs and even cats or other pets by sleeping together. They also lick and nuzzle each other.
Simply sharing space can be a subtle sign of affection between dogs. Affectionate dogs also may share toys or food. They often enjoy playing together, invite games and take turns being "it" during chase and tag. Pupppies show love to people in many of the same ways.
How Puppies Show Love to People
Puppies love with wags. Considered a "distance decreasing signal" a puppy tail wag often invites you to come closer begs for attention.
Puppies love with licks. Slurping your hands or even better aiming a smooch at your eyes or mouth is a canine declaration that YOU are TOPS with him! This submission gesture often is used in greetings or as an appeasement gesture a way to say I'm sorry when you act upset.
Puppies love with leaps. Jumping up looks cute in small babies but once he grows up, these love leaps can knock you over and break a hip in elderly visitors. He's jumping up to aim licks at your face that's a proper doggy greeting after all. You can always kneel for a face-slurping greeting, or teach your puppy a better greeting like to sit when you come home.
Puppies love by rolling over. Besides enjoying a tummy rub, showing the tummy puts puppies in a vulnerable position that declares trust and affection. Rolling over in front of more powerful dogs or people is how puppies show through body language they offer no threat and want to be friends.
Puppies love by shaking paws. Dogs often offer a paw just before they roll over. Puppies paw your leg to ask for attention.
Puppies love by crawling into your lap. They crave contact with you and a sign of deep affection and trust can be leaning against you or resting across your feet.
Puppies love by napping with you.They show great trust by falling asleep on your lap, and sharing your pillow can be a great treat for you both.
Puppies love by wetting the floor. This is different than urine marking. Even when pups understand potty training basics, they may squat and wet when you first greet them or raise your voice. Technically called submissive urination, consider this gesture your puppy's way of crying uncle and declaring you to be in charge.
Puppies love by chewing your stuff.Sure, it feels good for teething babies to gnaw, but they target certain objects because they smell like their most beloved person you.
Puppies love with crotch sniffs.They mean no disrespect, and to dogs, sniffing this (ahem) area is the equivalent to shaking hands in greeting. Older pups may even offer a return of the favor and present their butt for you to sniff.
Puppies love with play. They invite owners to play, bring you gifts of their favorite toys, and eagerly join in your games sometimes whether you want them to or not.
Puppies love with smiles. Some dogs actually learn to "grin" by lifting their lips to show a fun toothy smile to show their happiness and affection.
Having spent the last two years training dogs to go in an MRI to see what makes them tick, people often ask me why I needed an MRI to know that dogs love us. Of course they love us. MRI is beginning to show the how and the why. But until we get a more complete roadmap of the canine brain, what signs do dogs give that show that you are more than a food-dispenser?
1. Your dog cuddles up with you after eating. Dogs, like humans, love food. But unlike humans, dogs do not have a large prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that is associated with both planning for the future and inhibiting impulses. It is no surprise, then, that dogs live in the present and love to eat. They don't know when their next meal is coming. But once their bellies are full, what becomes their next priority? Do they go outside to relieve themselves? Or do they repose at your feet?
2.Where does your dog sleep? If you want to start a full-on religious war between dog-lovers, bring up the topic of sleeping with your dog. Everything from crates to separate rooms to under the covers and in the bed. The idea that dogs should never be allowed on the bed comes from old dominance theories which many of us ignore with no ill effects. Dogs are highly social, but they are also very flexible. They will prefer to be with the members of their social group, whether it is other dogs, cats, children, or adults. Where they prefer to sleep indicates who they consider their BFFs.
3.Your dog freaks out when you leave. Sorry to disappoint, but that is not a sign of love. Separation anxiety is very common and a leading cause of behavioral problems. And while your dog may be unconditionally bonded to you, well adjusted dogs also know that you will return and do not display the frenetic activity of the anxious dog. Nobody really knows why some dogs develop separation anxiety. Our neuroimaging project is trying to figure out if it is the case of an overactive social reward system, like: I really really love you, master! Or whether the anxiety is driven by a hyperactive fear system.
4.Your dog freaks out when you come home. Now this is more like it. Who doesn't love to be greeted by a dog who acts like you've been gone for a year? I know my dogs love me when I get home because they jump all over me even after they've been fed. But the true test is whether they do the same thing to anyone who walks in the house. Watch closely what your dog does when someone else comes in. If they do the same thing, I'm afraid your dog is just promiscuous.
5.Cries hysterically when you arrive home. No matter how long you've been away.
6.Licks your face frantically.
7.Jumps on you, possibly in a full body slam. The excitement is why you've got those bruises. Love marks, as I call them.
8.Takes your knickers/socks/shoes onto the bed with them. My dog will take any garment of mine that she can, just to be near me. Our old family dog used to present visitors to our house with my bras. It always made for a lovely surprise for the postman.
9.Jumps up begging to be held. No, my dog is not a performing genius, she just sometimes sees how far away my lickable face is, and demands to be carried. This isn't embarrassing at all in the park, as manly men with staffies look on and laugh.
10.Pushes your partner out of bed. WHO IS THIS PERSON TOUCHING MY PERSON? BE OFF WITH YOU AT ONCE.
11.Chews up your carpet. "It was tacky and you could do much better. I want you to have nicer furnishings."
13.Chases the ball you throw in the park. The dog is an intelligent, complex animal. It cares not for a rubber ball. It would much rather enjoy the autumnal leaves and the bracing air, but indulges your odd fetish for throwing tennis balls because it loves you.
14.Tries to get in the bath with you. This one might just be my dog though...
15. Wakes you up. Your mutt wants you to get to work on time. They've been up all night, staring at the clock, anxiously wondering when they should nudge you.
16.Smiles at you. No, I'm not mad. Yes, my dog definitely smiles at me. Why wouldn't she? I'm delightful! :)
17.Vets your dates. If you're undecided about a new love interest, introduce them to your canine companion. There is no faster way to tell if a person is good enough for you. The dog SEES those cowboy boots, even if you haven't yet.
18.Snuggles as close as possible to you. Even if you're doing a tricky yoga position on the floor, or trying to write a piece on deadline.
19.Follows you. Everywhere. To the loo. Always to the loo.
20.Sits on your knee. At dinner parties, while working, when watching TV. My dog demands to be picked up, and placed on my knees, from where she surveys the scene or waits for food.
21.Waits at the window when they sense that you're coming home. Looking forlornly out, as though waiting for a lover to come home from sea. Even your real lover doesn't do that.
22.Gets jealous. Dogs get jealous of anything you pay attention to: humans; other dogs, the cat nemesis next door. They want all of you, and will remind you of this constantly.
23.Brings you the lead. They know you need some exercise. They are right.
24. Eats anything off the floor. "Look, I'm helping you tidy!"
25.Is protective of you. This one is obvious, unless your dog is a pug or a chihuahua, in which case it's sweet, but also embarrassing in front of men with staffies.
26. Brings you toys every five minutes. How can you not be happy when asked to play tug of war using a stuffed panda in a jaunty outfit?
27. Lets you cry on them. Bad breakup? Rough day at work? A dog will let you cry buckets all over their lovely warm fur, while possibly licking you at the same time, for extra comfort.
28. Tries to please you, even when they are ill. That half wag of a tail is one of the most heartbreaking expressions of love you'll ever see.
29.Tries to please you, even when they are ill. That half wag of a tail is one of the most heartbreaking expressions of love you will ever see.
30.Tries to please you when you're ill. Whether it's a hangover or something more serious, your dog will try and make it better by lying down next to you, and mirroring your movements.
31.Nose rubbing. When my dog is feeling especially loving towards me, she will butt my nose with hers. Important: this is not to be confused with the inferior cat nudge.
32.Do you love your dog? A loving relationship is a two-way commitment. If you don't love your dog, then how can he love you? He may be bonded to you for food, shelter, or fear. We wouldn't call a human relationship based on any of those things love, and so it is the same with dogs.
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Be consistent. There's nothing more frustrating for a dog than an owner that can't make up his/her mind. If you hear him/her howling in the night, go to him/her and comfort him/her. Then they will bond with you.
Use single word commands like 'sit' and 'stay' and stick to them. Don't use 'stay' one day and 'wait' the next. If you teach a dog to lie down by saying 'down', don't teach him to get off of the couch by saying 'down'. He'll think you want him to lie down; use 'off' instead.
Be pleased with your dog. When he behaves favorably, praise him and reward him.
Use a friendly tone. When he does something undesired, use a stern, friendly tone.
Don't ever hit your dog. Displays of aggression only teach the dog to be defensive and therefore aggressive, when abused.
Socialize your dog with people and other dogs. He will learn to be friendly to both if he is familiar with them.
Make sure your dog gets all the play, walks and exercise he needs. Dogs with pent up energy tend to become destructive and depressed.
Make sure your dog understands the pecking order of his "pack". If you have children, he should be below them on a pack level. The owner or primary caretaker of the dog should be the "alpha" the dog should respect this leader. If the alpha is not present, the dog may try to take charge. Dogs need to be part of a pack to be happy.
Love your dog yourself and make him see and feel it daily!
Give your dog outlets for stress, boredom, or frustration. If he chews, give him or her chew toys or balls. But do not EVER give a dog a raw bone as the dog can and will chew off small shards and can choke on those pieces. If he digs, make him a "dig box" (a wooden frame in the ground, filled with soft dirt, this saves your yard!).
10 WAYS TO SHOW LOVE TO YOUR DOG and PUPPY ON VALENTINE's DAY
Nothing says "I Love You" like a new leopard-print raincoat or a homemade, beef and peanut butter biscuit on your pillow. Including our pets in holiday celebrations shows we value them as part of our family. So read on for some fun and thoughtful ways to celebrate your love for your canine companion this Valentine's Day.
1. What dog doesn't love a treat? Fabulous treats are available to order online, from cakes and cookies to "doggie wine" (broth in a bottle). Or find some recipes and bake treats right in your kitchen (your dog will most likely be right there with you, waiting). Make sure these items are made in the U.S.A.
2. Surprise him with an extra walk, or a trip to his favorite dog park or trail - especially if you haven't been there for a while.
3. Read any good dog books lately? Curl up together on the couch with a book or a great dog movie. Together time is precious, and often hard to find with our busy schedules. He'll love the attention.
4. Does he need a new coat to keep warm this winter, or a nice new collar or bandana? Add a pretty charm to his collar, and while you're at it, check his tags to make sure they are still readable and reflect your current contact info.
5. Healthy teeth and gums help keep your whole dog healthy. Consider a dental check-up with your vet, and have her show you how to brush your dog's teeth. Be sure to get the special paste made for dogs (human toothpaste is toxic to pets). February is National Pet Dental Health Month, after all.
6. How about a day at the spa to make him feel special? Many options are available, like do it yourself facilities in pet stores, specialty salons, and even mobile grooming vans that come right to your house.
7. Get him a new toy, make a big deal of opening it, and then play with him. Lots of Valentine themed toys are available, or buy a new Kong, fill it with peanut butter, and watch the happiness unfold. By the way, when you buy Kong, get the special cleaning brush that goes with it - otherwise you'll never get that peanut butter residue out.
8. Many pet owners forget to check their pet's beds when doing laundry. He might need his bed washed before putting that new toy or treat on it, and he'll love it if the washing and drying fluffs it up a bit.
9. Leave a legacy by making a donation in his name to an animal rescue group or shelter. Check around and find the organization that feels right to the two of you.
10. Many pet oriented websites have opportunities for you to post a photo or story about your pet. Consider posting something to share the love you have for your special friend with all the world. Happy Valentine's Day!
10 REASONS WHY YOUR DOG MAKES THE BEST VALENTINE'S DATE
As Valentine's Day approaches you could be thinking a couple of things. Maybe you are contentedly daydreaming about perforated paper bunny cards, too hot cinnamon hearts and the various secret admirers you are sure to have doting on you this year.
You're not alone. Yahoo News reports that one in five people would prefer to spend Valentine's Day with their pet over their partner.
So here are the top ten reasons why a dog makes a better date this Valentine's Day:
Dogs don't talk. I could elaborate, but I think we can all agree this is a good thing.
If you worry your dog will destroy your lovely home four seconds after you step out the door, you can put him in a crate. The authorities frown upon this when it comes to dates.
Dog slobber is cute. Date slobber is very not cute. Ever.
You don't have to share your dessert with a dog and probably shouldn't. This is great because dessert is the best part about Valentine's Day and all that stuff conveniently makes dogs sick. So you get your tempting torte all to yourself. Perfect!
For the not so romantic folks out there, a dog won't look hopefully, then desperately, and finally disdainfully into your eyes when the evening doesn't end in a helicopter ride to Paris and a romantic marriage proposal. Won't happen. Prolonged eye contact totally freaks dogs out.
When a dog follows you around it's cute. Am I right? Pretty much nothing is better than being adored by a dog. If a date follows you around... we call that little phenomenon stalking.
Dogs don't care if you are "presentable" or not. You don't have to buy expensive shoes to hang out with your dog. You don't even have to shower. Just head out on a couple of hikes, toss a ball around, dole out a healthy belly rub and you are golden! No makeup, no ironing, no Spanx required. Amen.
You will never have to dream up a way to gently/firmly/sneakily "get rid" of a dog. Because you'd never want to get rid of a dog! Dogs are fun, and funny, and goofy, and handily clean food right off the kitchen floor for you when you drop it. Dates seem to think that kind of thing is below them. Lame.
Pup snuggles are the best. Okay, snuggles from a human can be pretty darn good too, but when Fido nuzzles into the nape of your neck and huffs a grumbly sigh, you'll stay in that exact same position for ages so you don't disrupt the little mutt's comfort.
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Giving dogs treats as a reward encourages them to behave well if the treats are connected to good behavior. Be sure to use a variety of rewards - not just food treats, but toys, attention, games, and activities. Use positive praise with a happy voice, and back scratches.
While your dog is a puppy, make sure you put your hand in the food dish (before they get too possessive of it) and make sure the dog gets used to people around while it's eating, that way if there are little children around they don't have to worry about getting bitten during the dogs eating time. Plus, it encourages the dog to share its things. (STOP doing this if you see any negative reaction, and consult a professional dog behavior consultant or trainer.)
It may take a bit of time for a new dog to get used to you. If they hide, don't bother them. They will love you at some point.
Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, sometimes it just takes time and Patience.
As I said in the steps section, do not be physical with them if they aren't comfortable with you. Over time, your dog will be more and more comfortable with you, and you can progressively get more physical.
WARNINGS Dogs could be hurt by their previous owner. If you get mad at them, they can get upset. Take it nice and slow, you don't want to be in a rush.
Rescued/shelter dogs may have a hard time trusting you and learning new things. Be patient; they may have been hurt by their previous owner. Show them they can trust you by giving them time, patience and love. Never hit a dog. They may bite you.
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A PLOS ONE study recently confirmed what many of us already knew: dog love can be extremely similar to maternal love.
"Alloparenting," or adopting and caring for different species has occurred for tens of thousands of years (the first domesticated dog dates back to 32,000 years ago). Around two-thirds of American households have pets and spend over $50 billion every year on their well being.
In this study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital sought to directly compare the "functional neuroanatomy of the human-pet bond with that of the maternal-child bond." To do so, they had women look at photos of their babies and their dogs, as well as babies and dogs that they didn't know.
"There was a common network of brain regions involved in emotion, reward, affiliation, visual processing and social cognition when mothers viewed images of both their child and dog," reads the study. The unfamiliar photos didn't provoke the same reaction.
The Washington Post's Rachel Feltman reports:
But brain response to children and dogs wasn't entirely the same: An area of the brain vital to processing faces was activated more by a dog picture than a child's face, while parts of the midbrain were more active in response to children. It may be that facial cues are more important in human-to-dog communication, given our lack of common language. And the midbrain areas could be vital in forming human-to-human pair bonds, National Geographic reports.
Although more research needs to be done to replicate the findings, it does make sense that we should have such important bonds with our pets.
Many people have asked for a hand in marriage, but what about a paw? This sounds like a whole new spin on the tradition of prearranged marriages in some countries.
Human–animal marriage is not recognized in law by any country, although attempts by humans to marry animals have been recorded.
Pets can help to reduce stress between spouses, especially when they are going through a difficult time. A pet's companionship and affection creates a calming effect in a marriage. Plus, the pet can be a source of entertainment and increased fun in the home. Pet ownership can also cause marital discord. In one poll, 60% of married couples said that pets had created problems in their marriages.
Fortunately, potential problems can often be avoided or minimized if they are acknowledged and addressed up front. Here are a few tips for bringing furry friends into a marriage:
"Can we get a dog, please?" If one spouse is absolutely opposed to a pet, it's probably not a good idea, nor is it fair to the animal, to push the issue. In many cases, however, a spouse is ambivalent. Perhaps he/she has never had a pet and has certain stereotypes in mind: Cats are sneaky - dogs are vicious. If the spouse can keep an open mind, the pet will often endear itself to the skeptic.
"It's your turn to walk Fido" (at 6:00 a.m.). Anyone who has cleaned up hairballs or scooped out a litter box knows that pets come with a downside. Just as spouses divvy up household chores, they also need to discuss responsibility for pet-related tasks. And if you're the one who promised to take care of the pet (see #1 above) be prepared to keep your promise.
At least Fluffy doesn't need a college fund. Pet care can be a major item in a couple's budget. Expenses include food, vet bills, cat litter, grooming supplies, toys and travel crates. As animal health care has become more advanced, and more costly, many people are buying pet health insurance. Couples need to decide if their budget can accommodate the expense of a pet.
"It's me or the dog." What's cozier than a furry feline stretched out next to you on a cold winter's night? Nothing, unless that sleeping cat is literally coming between you and your spouse. Not all spouses want to share their bed with a four-legged creature. People can feel strongly about this issue, so it needs to be discussed before allowing a pet in the bedroom.
"He pays more attention to the dog than to me!" Even if said half in jest, that's not a good sign in a marriage. Pets demand time and attention. It's easy for one spouse to feel neglected or jealous when the other spends time with the pet.
Pets can be a blessing at one stage of the marital journey and a burden at another. Pet ownership may constrain the young couple who wants the freedom to travel at a moment's notice. When they become more settled, a pet can make a wonderful addition to the family. An older couple who no longer feels up to caring for pets may decide not to replace them when they die. On the other hand, when the adult child who is allergic to animals moves out, the couple can finally adopt the dog or cat they always wanted.
DOG WEDDING FACTS
In June 2003, a nine year old Indian girl of the Santal (or 'Santhal') tribe of Khanyhan, near Calcutta was formally married to a dog, in order to ward off a bad omen. The wedding was attended by more than one hundred guests, who danced to the beating of drums and drank home-made liquor. The girl told Western press, "I have no regret in marrying the dog. I will take care of this dog who was stray and survived on left-overs," tribal elders added she was free to remarry a human in future as an adult.
In November 2007 a man in southern India married a female dog in a traditional Hindu ceremony as an attempt to atone for stoning two other dogs to death - an act he believes cursed him. Selvakumar, 33, told the paper he had been suffering since he stoned two dogs to death and hung their bodies from a tree 15 years prior.
In February 2009 an infant boy was married off to his neighbors' dog in eastern India by villagers who said it will stop the groom from being killed by wild animals. The boy will still be able to marry a human bride in the future without filing for divorce.
In December 2010 an Australian man married his best friend, a five-year-old Labrador.
In February 2011, a Ghanaian woman, Emily Mabou, 29, married an 18 month old dog; the ceremony was attended by a traditional priest and local villagers.
In March 11, 2014, a 47 year old woman, Amanda Rodgers married a dog.
In September 2014, an 18 year old woman, Mangli Munda, from Jharkland, India married a stray dog named Sheru in a ceremonial marriage to ward off a curse on her.
DOG WEDDING PHOTOS
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