Why Labs Make the Perfect Housemates

Someone asked me to explain why labs are great house dogs. It's because they are family dogs...people dogs. To take away from them the opportunity to be a part of the family is to take from them the opportunity to fulfill their potential. I believe it even saddens them. It makes them desperate for attention and affection.

I have seen this in our Parker....now that we have gotten him back. In his case...a terrible cruelty done to him because he was taken everywhere as a pup and then forgotten when he grew up and became inconvenient.He suddenly became an "outside dog". Imagine his confusion. Even though we have showered him with affection in the past 3 months he still gets a bit anxious when I say it's time to "go out". For him... out was waiting 23 hours and 45 minutes for his 15 minutes of love.
He's learning though...that here, going out means taking care of business and then coming back in!!! It also means if you're very quiet, Mom will sneak you on the bed
when Dad isn't looking!

Now don't misunderstand...I'm not referring to those labs who are outside during the day
and then come in at night when the family is home. Heaven knows mine don't stay in 24/7 and certainly don't run loose while we're gone. I can't imagine 6 dogs running the house in my absence! Watching my cable TV and running up the phone bill *grin*
bring in all 6 when I'm home though and they all sleep in the bedroom at night.

WHY? Am I crazy?...Well...yes...BUT...there are some things I wouldn't miss for the world ...things you can't get with an "outside dog". Things you won't get by looking at them through the living room window. The comfort of unconditional love and friendship. The soft breath of something that loves you that much as it lays it's head in your lap while you're sitting quietly in the evening. The feeling of looking up to see those eyes looking upon you as if you were really something special. The smile that comes to their face when you look. The happiness that accompanies the wiggles and waggles that start at the head and move all the way to the tail and back again. These things can't be seen from the window looking out...these things don't occur when a lab is "left out".

See the fact is..you can't have a great family companion if you don't treat them like family. Treat them like you're children. Love them...teach them...spend time with them. Hold them close and keep them near and reap the rewards! buy a crate..a blankie..a chewman...and bring them in. Then sit back and enjoy the best 10 plus years of your lives...together!

Deb September 1999

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