Life with the friendliest dog in the world

Vodka, my Bichon Frise, started to own me the day I saw her. I could not leave the home where I found her until I had her with me.  That was two years ago. Vodka celebrates her second birthday on Aug. 16.

I guess it is because she is my baby. This is not to say that I don’t love all my pet companions. I live with five cats, which I have picked up on my regular runs in the village where I live. I also have four other doggie companions. Each of them I love in unique ways.

We feast on cake, vanilla ice cream and loads of barks and lots of licks. You see, as far as I am concerned, living with pets is just like living with people — just more fun, love-filled and relaxing. Where in the world would I get to come home to five doggies who are so excited to see me enter the door?

But, Vodka, like any baby, always has a ready smile for me when I get home, and she loves to cuddle, just because. In truth, my doggy companions don’t know they are not human.

Aside from Vodka, my pet companions are named Tasha, Nik, Yuri, and Gorby.  My five cats are Pepsi, Spotty, Bunny, Garfield and Snowy. And I might add my newest additions Kuting and Frances, who I picked up off the streets a few weeks ago.

I have read often enough that pet companions make the life of humans better. This I have learned for real.  Why do humans with pets like me do the strangest things for our pet companions? Let me share with you a few reasons:

1. Pets reduce stress and depression. When you reach middle age and menopause starts to set in, there is nothing like owning a dog or dogs that are devoted to you. My dogs always make me laugh because they do the funniest things and that keeps stress and depression at bay.

2. I have read that pets are good for the elderly. No, I am not yet among the elderly, but in midlife I truly welcome the undivided love and attention my doggies give me.

3. Pets give us bigger hearts. Pets open our hearts to offering kindness to all we meet — after all, my pets are always kind to me. And I believe that if we are given kindness, we need to give kindness back. 

4. Pets are the best company. If you are single, like I am, chances are you spend lots of time alone. Owning a pet keeps the loneliness at bay.

5. I have met so many people because of my pets. Whenever I take Vodka with me, I am sure to meet a few new people because they want to meet Vodka. In the neighborhood where I live, I get to meet lots of people, too, more so if they are walking their dogs in the morning. I stop for people with dogs.

I’ve met a lot of people whom I may not have liked, but I have never met a dog that I did not like. I guess that’s because dogs put on no masks, no pretensions. They never try to impress me — they always just are and that makes them all the more lovable.

If only people were the same way.

* * *

Just yesterday I was reading an article on www.shine.yahoo.com about which dog breeds are the most sociable — the doggies that are always happy and love to greet people with their smiling eyes and wagging tails. 

I was not surprised to find that the Bichon Frise ranks second on the list.  I have known it since the day Vodka the Bichon came into my life. She is always there for me.  Unconditional love is something that pet-lovers truly understand — because doggies give just that.

The article says,  “Certain breeds are famed for their sociable dispositions but personality varies, so don’t assume that every member of a certain breed will be a good-time Charlie. Early socialization, effective training, and continuing opportunities to interact with people in many different situations and places all contribute to the development of a dog who is genuinely outgoing and approachable.”

Here are the top 10 picks of Shine.yahoo for personality-plus canines:

1. Beagle, warm and cheerful — The Beagle is among the top 10 most popular breeds with good reason: He has a bigger-than-life personality and a merry nature that make him a warm and cheerful companion.

2. Bichon Frise, clownish and curious — The Bichon is a sunny-natured wag who makes friends wherever he goes. Wonderfully affectionate, he can spread love and joy to everyone he meets. Few people are immune to his clownish charm. He has a cheerful attitude toward life and can be a happy and curious companion for adults and older children.

3. Bulldog, a people-pleaser — Don’t let his scowling face frighten you away. The Bulldog is a friendly, easygoing people-pleaser who likes nothing better than to spend time with you, whether that means roughhousing with the kids or lounging on the sofa watching television. Families with young children will find him to be patient and mellow, even with clumsy toddlers.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a little love bug — Loving people is undoubtedly embedded in the Cavalier’s genetic code. The little spaniels are attracted to people the way strawberry jam is to peanut butter. If a Cavalier sees an empty lap, he is likely to jump into it, whether he knows the person or not. And a Cavalier who sees a stranger on the street may just veer in that person’s direction, anxious to make a new friend.

5. Collie, famously friendly — The gregarious Collie is a sweet-natured dog whose greatest joy is caring for people. A Collie is a friend who always makes you feel loved and who welcomes other people into his circle of affection as well.

6. Flat-Coated Retriever, carefree and playful — Nicknamed the “Peter Pan” of dogs, the Flat-Coat has a happy and carefree personality. He always wants to be in the middle of things, and the more people play with him the better, as far as he’s concerned. 

7. French Bulldog, outgoing attention-seeker — This is a delightful and lively dog who loves attention. His best friend is always the person he’s with at that moment. The Frenchie has a sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. 

8. Irish Setter, affectionate and active — Joyful and boisterous, the Irish Setter loves being the center of attention. He is an affectionate, if rambunctious, family member who loves being with his people, especially if they are doing something active. If you have a great sense of humor and can match his boundless energy, you will enjoy living with this mischievous dog.

9. Maltese, smart and charming chum  — The Maltese assumes that everyone he meets is a friend. Highly people-oriented, he loves attention and learns tricks easily, the better to enchant you with, and his eyes sparkle with just a little bit of badness as he contemplates the best way to inveigle his way into your lap.

10. Pug, everybody’s buddy — Don’t let his frowny face mislead you. The extroverted and charming Pug is crazy about people — kids and adults alike. Completely focused on humans, Pugs will follow family members from room to room. Don’t be surprised if they are equally happy to make friends with complete strangers.

You might not agree with this list, as every human who has a dog considers his or her canine companion the friendliest.  But from my experience with doggies in the village that I meet regularly, this list is quite accurate.

’Nuff said.