What is the most important thing your pet has taught you about yourself?

remar: What is the most important thing your pet has taught you about yourself?
One of the reasons many people choose to have a pet is for companionship, which requires the owner to build a relationship with his or her pet. Relationships are a lot of work and requires those involved to pay attention and make adjustments. In the process, you not only learn new things about your companion, you learn new things about yourself. So, as you have worked to build a relationship with your pet what is the most important thing he or she has taught you about yourself?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Ben
with out her my life sucks

Answer by K
That I’m more vulnerable then I thought…. I love my pets so much that on the few occasions I thought I might lost 1, I was more devastated then I thought I would be about losing them (of course I knew I’d be sad and cry alot but when you really think you may lose one it’s like nothing you imagined).

Answer by Greek God AKA Greekman
That I am in charge. You made this sound almost like a human to human relationship….
Dogs function on a different scale, please do not confuse the two!!

Answer by ▐▀▀▀▀▀▌ ▐▄▄▄▄▄▌
Never trust humans, trust dogs only 🙂

Answer by HOPEFUL
That I want to be a mommy.. I know the two are different one is a dog one is a child.. but my dog is like a child.. lol.. he follows me where ever I go, if I’m in the bathroom he will try to get in or lay outside the door, he loves to be held, he’s such a baby. obviously a child will be more work and totally different but I know that I want a child for sure now.. It also taught me that I’m a sucker.. I’m strict but at the same time, I’m a sucker for love!! My hubby doesn’t like the dog to sit on the couch or cuddle w/us or anything, I do! I always cave in like “ok… come on up here and lay w/me..” lol and I’m also a sucker b/c when he’s in trouble or if I yell at him, I’ll feel all bad later and then go give him so love.. lol so sad

Answer by *Maria*
how to love more then i thought that i could! she is like my baby!!

Answer by Chuckles *new photography pics*
To be more patient.

Answer by Paul W
to be patient

Answer by ₪ Memphis Belle ₪
I learned that there is nothing more valuable that knowing your dog inside out, so you can know what body stance will lead to what behavior.

The triggers for a genetically weak nerved dog cannot be predicted, but a capable owner can read their dog’s body language & step in to control the dog’s behavior.

After a bite incident my dog would lunge/growl at dog that approached him. With leadership & obedience training {which included hard correction if he so much as curled a lip at a dog}, he learned to trust me to protect him from threats outside the pack & I learned to read him like a book.

The most important lesson from owning that dog was that is there is no half decent dog trainer or behaviorist to be found to work with the dog, then you can roll up your sleeves, invest the necessary HARD work & do it yourself.

It was a STEEP learning curve, but working with my dog forged a strong bond, which strengthed over time.

Answer by TritanBear
He has taught me so much. He has taught me to slow down and enjoy the small blessings in life just as much as the big ones. He has taught me to be more patient and understanding especially toward others. There is this sign I have that states ” I am going to try to be the person my dog thinks that I am ” I always keep that in mind. But I can be really impatient and short tempered especially toward others and toward a dog that I inherited. When I lose my temper I look over at my dog and he always gives this look of dissatisfaction, and he will bark at me. I instantly calm down, take a deep breathe, smile, and laugh to myself as I say to him, ” you are right, I need to be better than that”.

Answer by Schmemdog Millionare
To chill out

To get outside more

The importance of good food

That I am worthy of their respect.

That they prefer clear rules and prompt enforcement of them.

That a good relationship with a dog doesn’t really take a lot of deep thought, just good care, consistency and leadership. Everything else follows from that.

That people and dogs are different species, and to think of them in terms of human relationships and emotions does them a great disservice.

Answer by Mary
My 2 dogs have taught me how to love better, to be more patient, and most importantly they taught me how to smile no matter what the situation is. Dogs are amazing. This is my first experience with dogs, and i wouldn’t change it for the world. I have 2 babies. One is a border/collie lab mix who is 1yr4m. her name is Reese cup because she’s 2 different shades of brown, and it’s my favorite treat. I got her when she was just 4months old. I also have a pit bull who is 1yr. Her name is Keyshia. I didn’t name my pit, she was given to me from a friend when she was just 2months old. Her daughter named her and, since the dog would answer to it i just kept it. It’s the most amazing feeling when i get home from work and they are both at the door just waiting to see me with their tails wagging. I wouldn’t change it for the world. Their love and passion is just priceless.