I like dogs...just can't own one in the apartment.

[John Schmidt]

Had a friendly interlude with one today at the bike recycler I did business with nearby. In another post I mentioned the trunk mount on the trike was broken...rear tab, so went looking on Ebay and found a replacement not 20 miles away. It was just under $58+$20 shipping, I called and reserved it. When I showed up I first heard a low "woof" that took more energy to expell than the pooch had used in some time. While standing there chatting with the young guy behind the counter, here comes the "watch dog" whick I commented on, after which the guy laughed when I said "watch dog"...telling me "yes, she'll watch you walk away with the store." The dog was about the size of a Golden Retriever, rather rotund and slow moving...with a toy in her mouth. She walked up to me and looked up, when I didn't respond she gently bumped me a couple time with her toy. I said I didn't like that toy(kinda sloppy wet), so she just waddled away and returned with a different one so this time...after a couple more bumps...I took it in one hand and scratch behind the ears with the other. She just stood there and moaned in ecstasy, to which the gals in the office told me I'd just made a friend for life. I spent a couple minutes fussing with her(the dog), then said I had to go. She gave me the sadest look, waddled back to her bed to await the next customer.

When i got there, the guy at the counter asked if I had $50 cash on me...yes. Good, then it's $50 & tax included. I don't plan on reporting them, the 20 mile drive saved me $20 shipping and about $8 in price. I've done business there before, good source for parts if you're building/repairing a vintage bike. I might go back just to see my 4-legged friend.

[..]

Even though we have Joey I do like dog encounters especially at the local dog park.

[Rams]

As much as I love my dog Bowser (a 177 lb. English Mastiff), he's most likely my last dog.  
His care requires more time than I am willing to give to another dog.   It costs way more to board him when I want to travel (with the wife) and just owning a pet ain't cheap.   While I'd never just get rid of him (he's here and loved till the end), he's probably my last dog.

Yeah, similar to some of my divorced friends, I loved them but, won't do it again.    He's a good excuse to not live in an apartment, not many apartments will provide space for three or four gooseneck trailers, the truck(s) to pull them and three Valkyries.   

Rams

[ridingron]

Retirement begins when all the dogs die and the kids move out. 

[Jess from VA]

I don't have one, and haven't since childhood.  The wife had cats.

But my neighborhood has hundreds of them, and in my daily walks, I see them being walked all over the place.  Every variety and breed you can think of, huge and tiny.  Most are friendly, but there are some I move over in the street to pass, including the Chihuahuas.  Some are very well trained, and others drag their owners down the sidewalks.  And some owners wear yoga pants, which are much more interesting than their dogs.   

[luftkoph]

3 things that don’t lie, drunks, dogs and yoga pants

[old2soon]

      And Dogs KNOW! Went to a glass shop out in the country awhile back and had a similar encounter John. Dog was way more interested in having his ears and back scritched than protection of his caretakers!  And the Lady behind the counter said their watchdog would probably help a thief! RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

in agreement dogs are nice but paying for boarding if wanna go on vacation for 1 week or so is not cheap.  Cats can pretty much take care of themselves, if needed, for a week or so if  you have a neighbor/friend that can stop on over 1-2x's just to make sure all is well while on vacation for a week or two.