Comments on: Five Life Lessons My Dog Has Taught Me http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html personal finance blog with anecdotes, advice and commentary. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:04:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Patrick http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304906 Patrick Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:43:19 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304906 Great Post Jim. Dogs are great and all of those lessons are great to live by. The biggest point you make is that family and friends are always there for you. I totally agree with you. Money only takes you so far, but family makes life much more meaningful. Great Post Jim. Dogs are great and all of those lessons are great to live by. The biggest point you make is that family and friends are always there for you. I totally agree with you. Money only takes you so far, but family makes life much more meaningful.

]]> By: mikecancook http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304868 mikecancook Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:57:57 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304868 Tobey is fantabulous! Thanks for reminding us about the priceless value of things we take for granted. Tobey is fantabulous! Thanks for reminding us about the priceless value of things we take for granted.

]]> By: Augiebball http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304867 Augiebball Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:35:22 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304867 Excellent post. My wife and I have rescued two older dogs in the past few years and I don't know what I would do without either one of them. They enhance my life to such a degree that at times I wonder how I managed before they arrived. Many people are afraid of adopting older dogs because they likely won't be around as long as a puppy so it's tough to get attached and then say goodbye, but older dogs seem to appreciate everything just a little bit more. They've been around the block and know what it's like to be in the kennel and therefore love you that much more. Thanks again for the post and thank-you for having the courage to adopt an older dog. Excellent post. My wife and I have rescued two older dogs in the past few years and I don’t know what I would do without either one of them. They enhance my life to such a degree that at times I wonder how I managed before they arrived. Many people are afraid of adopting older dogs because they likely won’t be around as long as a puppy so it’s tough to get attached and then say goodbye, but older dogs seem to appreciate everything just a little bit more. They’ve been around the block and know what it’s like to be in the kennel and therefore love you that much more. Thanks again for the post and thank-you for having the courage to adopt an older dog.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304840 Wendy Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:19:33 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304840 It's great to hear that you adopted a companion! I love and miss my Maltese, which I left to my mother when I moved away. He is going on 15 people years now (!) and he taught me that some of the best company doesn't require you to have money. A dog can be a loving, loyal companion who won't judge you for not wearing designer clothes or driving a beat up car. Also, some of the best entertainment doesn't have to cost a bundle. Walks outdoors, sightseeing at local festivals, going for a drive, playing with the dog are all free or within your budget! It’s great to hear that you adopted a companion! I love and miss my Maltese, which I left to my mother when I moved away. He is going on 15 people years now (!) and he taught me that some of the best company doesn’t require you to have money. A dog can be a loving, loyal companion who won’t judge you for not wearing designer clothes or driving a beat up car.
Also, some of the best entertainment doesn’t have to cost a bundle. Walks outdoors, sightseeing at local festivals, going for a drive, playing with the dog are all free or within your budget!

]]> By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304831 DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:09:00 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304831 Nice post! Very interesting perspective on the lessons learned. Just goes to show you that you can learn things in the most unusual and unexpected ways. Nice post!

Very interesting perspective on the lessons learned.

Just goes to show you that you can learn things in the most unusual and unexpected ways.

]]> By: lostAnnfound http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304826 lostAnnfound Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:40:02 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304826 We have an almost 2 year old Corgi/Beagle that we adopted from a rescue group when he was four months old. He is a cuddler, wants to be on your lap or lying next to you on the bed, just to be near you. We do enjoy watching him in the yard. We'll toss the ball for him & he will come back with it, but not give it to you. He's got his butt up in the air, tail wagging so hard it looks like his long, low body is bending in half! Then he'll take off like he was let go from a slingshot! He LOVES to run! It's so fun to watch him & it makes us smile. Then he decides it's time to get into our strawberries & start eating; get out of there you silly dog! I guess he shows us to have fun & remember to laugh and enjoy life. We have an almost 2 year old Corgi/Beagle that we adopted from a rescue group when he was four months old. He is a cuddler, wants to be on your lap or lying next to you on the bed, just to be near you. We do enjoy watching him in the yard. We’ll toss the ball for him & he will come back with it, but not give it to you. He’s got his butt up in the air, tail wagging so hard it looks like his long, low body is bending in half! Then he’ll take off like he was let go from a slingshot! He LOVES to run! It’s so fun to watch him & it makes us smile. Then he decides it’s time to get into our strawberries & start eating; get out of there you silly dog! I guess he shows us to have fun & remember to laugh and enjoy life.

]]> By: Wise Money Matters http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304824 Wise Money Matters Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:17:08 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304824 I loved the last one the most. We should always be sensitive to those around us. I struggle with this personally because I get so goal oriented that I sometimes forget those around me. Luckily I have a wife who helps me focus on the things that matter most: Family and friends. I loved the last one the most. We should always be sensitive to those around us. I struggle with this personally because I get so goal oriented that I sometimes forget those around me. Luckily I have a wife who helps me focus on the things that matter most: Family and friends.

]]> By: Gretchen http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304805 Gretchen Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:30:17 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304805 In addition to being a dog rescue fosterer, I adopted a 10 year old retired seeing eye dog about two years ago. The one thing that I would add to your list, which has been taught to me by all of the dogs that I have had a part in rescuing is: It's never too late for things to change for the better. In addition to being a dog rescue fosterer, I adopted a 10 year old retired seeing eye dog about two years ago. The one thing that I would add to your list, which has been taught to me by all of the dogs that I have had a part in rescuing is: It’s never too late for things to change for the better.

]]> By: Bekki http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304791 Bekki Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:43:48 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304791 My boyfriend and I have rescued two orange tabby cats over the past two years, and, to be honest, I can't imagine my life without these two little guys. When life gets a little too intense for one reason or another, all it takes is a few minutes with one of them snuggled up in my lap to remind me to enjoy the simple things and treasure the moments that I take for granted. Enjoy Tobey! My boyfriend and I have rescued two orange tabby cats over the past two years, and, to be honest, I can’t imagine my life without these two little guys. When life gets a little too intense for one reason or another, all it takes is a few minutes with one of them snuggled up in my lap to remind me to enjoy the simple things and treasure the moments that I take for granted. Enjoy Tobey!

]]> By: Yana http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304787 Yana Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:54:02 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304787 I enjoyed reading this, and good for you for adopting Tobey. I rescued MaggieMae, who will be 14 this month, from the local animal shelter when she was around 7 months old. She's been one of the best values ever! I even buy her Fresh Pet Select dog food as a special daily treat, she is just THAT good ;) She is loving and loyal, and always by our side when we especially need her. The fact that she has been healthy from the start has been a great bonus. We also live in a neighborhood with lots of kids and other animals, one of the newest of which is a tiny chihuahua that my neighbors got when it was only 6 weeks old. Maggie had never seen a dog that small, but the neighbor brought it out when we were outside, and it ran up to us. Maggie was interested and sniffed her, but I'm just very happy that my dog is always good to children and other dogs. She only barks and gets upset if the other dog is bigger than she is. She weighs around 35 pounds, which I think is a perfect size for a canine companion. I enjoyed reading this, and good for you for adopting Tobey. I rescued MaggieMae, who will be 14 this month, from the local animal shelter when she was around 7 months old. She’s been one of the best values ever! I even buy her Fresh Pet Select dog food as a special daily treat, she is just THAT good ;) She is loving and loyal, and always by our side when we especially need her. The fact that she has been healthy from the start has been a great bonus. We also live in a neighborhood with lots of kids and other animals, one of the newest of which is a tiny chihuahua that my neighbors got when it was only 6 weeks old. Maggie had never seen a dog that small, but the neighbor brought it out when we were outside, and it ran up to us. Maggie was interested and sniffed her, but I’m just very happy that my dog is always good to children and other dogs. She only barks and gets upset if the other dog is bigger than she is. She weighs around 35 pounds, which I think is a perfect size for a canine companion.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304786 Tammy Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:22:20 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304786 We rescued a 2 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback from the ASPCA. He is such a joy and such a PAIN (LOL) He loves to chase anything and track anything. We truly love him and his ill manners and dirty mouth from catching ball. He is learning to be social and charming- he was abused and has the scars to prove it. So while he is challenging he is still very precious to us! Good luck with Tobey I found you via Bargain Babe! We rescued a 2 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback from the ASPCA. He is such a joy and such a PAIN (LOL) He loves to chase anything and track anything. We truly love him and his ill manners and dirty mouth from catching ball. He is learning to be social and charming- he was abused and has the scars to prove it. So while he is challenging he is still very precious to us!
Good luck with Tobey

I found you via Bargain Babe!

]]> By: JJ http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304780 JJ Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:56:47 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304780 The force is with you Jim! I adopted a 10 yr old Dachshund mix. He was with me until he was 18 yrs old. What a blessing. Thanks for writing this column. The force is with you Jim! I adopted a 10 yr old Dachshund mix. He was with me until he was 18 yrs old. What a blessing. Thanks for writing this column.

]]> By: David http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304779 David Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:51:30 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304779 Congrats and thank you for adopting an older animal! I have three rescued dogs that were all adults when I got them, and I couldn't be happier with them. Congrats and thank you for adopting an older animal!

I have three rescued dogs that were all adults when I got them, and I couldn’t be happier with them.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304777 Kevin Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:45:53 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304777 First timer here (so be gentle!). We've always adopted mutts from the local animal shelters. Unlike our kids, our dogs have never tried to break free as they got older. There's something reassuring about that. We're already planning to take on two dogs in a few years when our kids do finally make it over the wall. Everything in our world tells us to prepare for the future--retirement, an education for our kids, that trade up house we want to buy--there's always a plan. While that thinking has a place, it can easily make us forget to just live! How much less stress we would have, then maybe we could accomplish some truly great things with our lives. By nature, animals live in the moment. No concerns about what will happen in the next decade, next year or even tomorrow. We probably can't ever be that serene, but it'd be great if we could blend a bit of their live-for-the moment with our need to have a plan. Jim--outstanding perspective on how some of the greatest life's lessons come from unexpected directions. I'll be watching my dog more closely from now on ;-) First timer here (so be gentle!).

We’ve always adopted mutts from the local animal shelters. Unlike our kids, our dogs have never tried to break free as they got older. There’s something reassuring about that. We’re already planning to take on two dogs in a few years when our kids do finally make it over the wall.

Everything in our world tells us to prepare for the future–retirement, an education for our kids, that trade up house we want to buy–there’s always a plan. While that thinking has a place, it can easily make us forget to just live! How much less stress we would have, then maybe we could accomplish some truly great things with our lives.

By nature, animals live in the moment. No concerns about what will happen in the next decade, next year or even tomorrow. We probably can’t ever be that serene, but it’d be great if we could blend a bit of their live-for-the moment with our need to have a plan.

Jim–outstanding perspective on how some of the greatest life’s lessons come from unexpected directions. I’ll be watching my dog more closely from now on ;-)

]]> By: Jim http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/five-life-lessons-my-dog-has-taught-me.html/comment-page-1#comment-304773 Jim Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:55:53 +0000 http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/?p=4634#comment-304773 It will get more intense but you need to lead and educate them on the rules. :) As much as I like to push limits, I still listen to the police. It will get more intense but you need to lead and educate them on the rules. :) As much as I like to push limits, I still listen to the police.

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