The Dog House Gallery

The Dog House Gallery

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog. (Edward Hoagland )

My Dogs: My Belgian Shepherds (Bear & Lulu) & my Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Mix (Tony)

Bear Portrait (oil pastel)

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.
Milan Kundera

I like the way that the world is made, (Tickle me, please, behind the ears)
With part in the sun and part in the shade (Tickle me, please, behind the ears)
This comfortable spot beneath a tree. Was probably planned for you and me;
Why do you suppose God made a flea? Tickle me more behind the ears.

(Burgess Johnson)

If a dog were your teacher

You would learn stuff like ...

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in y our face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt think and pout, run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Bond with your pack.

(author unknown)

Miscellaneous Friends

Two Norwich Terriers

House Rules

The dog is not allowed in the house.
Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
The dog can get on the old furniture only.
Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
The dog can sleep under the covers every night.
Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

(Anonymous)

Bulldogs

Sleeping Bulldogs

Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about Bulldogs (Sandi Farr)

For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear... (Henry Beston)

The first dog is the dog who gives you so much that the first dog is often the reason for the second dog. (Unknown)

Saint Bernards

Saint Bernard Study

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear. (Dave Barry)

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. (James Thurber)

The Dog Walkers

You Know You're a Dog Person When...

You have more dog beds, chew toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, and dog crates than you have dogs.

You meet other people with dogs, and remember their dog's call name after 30 seconds, but don't get the owner/handler's name until you've met them 2 or 3 times.

You don't think twice about trading licks of an ice cream cone with your dog.

Your parents give up on grandchildren and start to refer to your dogs as "your kids" or your children." (Bonus: they start to call them "our granddogs.")

90 percent of your Internet connection time goes to the dogs (seeing what's new when you enter your breed into the browser, reading up on multiple lists, checking out photos, sounds and FAQs, etc.).

You have hundreds of pictures of your dogs on your desk at work, in your wallet, etc., but none of your family or yourself.

No one wants to ride in your car because they know they'll get dog hair on their clothes.

You reach into your pockets for change, and liver treats, dog kibble, and pick-up bags fall all over. (Bonus: You've done this in a classy establishment.)

You've had long meaningful discussions with your friends on the best way to trim your dog's nails, but have never had a manicure or pedicure in your lifetime.

Books and movies are ruined for you if the dog references are incorrect.

The highlight of your day is spending time with your dog.

You watch simply awful movies because your breed is either featured in a cameo scene or there's a 3-second camera shot during a crowd scene.

All of your clothes have dog hair on them, even when they come back from the laundromat or dry cleaners.

The only thing your friends, colleagues, and passing acquaintances say to you when they see you is, "How are the dogs?" or "How many dogs do you have now?"

Your photo holiday cards feature your dogs (humans optional).
(Anonymous)

One reason a dog is such a comfort when you are downcast is that he doesn't ask why. (Anonymous)