Change of Pace: Looking After the Very Big Dog!

in #hive-1063166 days ago

Yesterday offered somewhat of a change of pace in my world, as I had somehow managed to volunteer myself to "dog sit" for some friends of ours who left early in the morning to go to a big RV and Camper Expo in Tacoma, and didn't expect to return until fairly late.

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Makai — at about 110lbs (50kg) and not fat — is easily the biggest German Shepherd I have ever seen, but he's a sweet natured gentle giant... but definitely quite intimidating looking. He pretty much has his own couch... there's room for him and one small person.

He's basically a "show dog" who's not a show dog because he's too large for the breed standard.

Anyway, since he's not accustomed to being alone — his human "parents" both work from home and are around pretty much 24/7 — it was my task to let him out a couple of times, and otherwise hang out and reassure him that he would not be alone forever.

Of course, he thought I was just hiding his humans out in the driveway!

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I know they are out there! What have you done with my humans?

Which I wasn't. I'm not sure he believed me...

It has been a while since our Daisy passed away, so it was nice to get a helping of big dog energy. Whereas I miss having a dog, I don't miss the constant trips outside and not being able to leave for more than a few hours without having to line up someone to look in on the dog.

When Daisy passed away last year, Mrs. Denmarkguy and I made the decision to not get any more dogs.

We have our four cats now, and that's plenty to look after! Even so, I was happy to spend time with this Big Guy and help him manage his temporary sense of solitude!

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I feel so alone...

I suppose it's all a matter of what's important to you. As we're aging and likely to travel more — once we get established in a smaller place — having an easily managed life just becomes more meaningful. And — no disrespect to dogs — cats are easier to live with, in that sense.

Anyway, dogsitting was a nice change of pace from the usual circus around here!

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of your day!

Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation! I do my best to answer comments, even if it sometimes takes a few days!

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Created at 2025.01.24 12:58 PST

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Manually curated by ewkaw from the @qurator Team. Keep up the good work!

Aww what a gorgeous wee pup Makai is. I am big dog lover and had a white german shepherd who was a big softie, but also had an Alaskan Malamute who weighed 58 kilos and was all barrelling muscle!
Unfortunately cats are easier to have as we age than dogs.

He's a lovely pup... and surprisingly not slobbery. I grew up around big dogs... my auntie kept a Newfoundland who was just huge and there was always a veritable rain of slobber every time he had a good shake.

lol yeah I think some are worse than others in the slobberchops phase. We were quite lucky, generally only drooling when we were stuffing our faces!

Dogs do require maintenance and attention on a different level to carts, but I can't deny I enjoy canine company from time to time. Like nieces and nephews, it is nice to be able to hand them back to their parents though.

Yeah, I'm happy to let people have their dogs back after hanging with them for a while. But I do enjoy their company...

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Hi big dog why are you sad and feel lonely? You were very lucky to have a temporary sweet and loving guardian that accompanied you.

He's just very attached to his humans... but his tail was wagging while I went for my visits!

My parents always had a dog or two while I was growing up. Those dogs were good company, and excellent listeners. I also grew up with cats, and eventually realized I am more of a cat person. I like dogs, but I like them best if they belong to someone else. I do NOT like dogs that are allowed to run loose in a pack; we have had problems with some of those in our neighborhood. I carry bear spray now.

Although I do love dogs, I agree: It's better when they are someone else's! I find cats more relaxing to be around... and there's nearly always one in sight when I working (from my home office).