What I want to know now -- having read through some 80 responses to the *where are you right now thread --is this: Where are all the DOGS? <BR>There seem to be cats in lots of the responses, lying around, watching their owners (oops, better make that, caregivers--or something like that) key in their messages. Lots and lots of cats. But no dogs? (or very few anyway, perhaps I missed a couple) <BR>What gives? There must be dogs somewhere. I can't be the only one with a dog. She is BTW an eight-year-old black and white cocker spaniel, and when I am at home on the computer she takes the opportunity to come in and visit our white rabbit, who lives in the study. Alas, the cat expired two years ago.

I'm a dog lover. I have a 10 years young tri-color collie named Kelly. Whenever I am on the computer at home, she is usually stretched out on the bed in another room.

I have two young Wheaten terriers who keep themselves busy while I'm on the computer by chewing on the rug pad in the front hall or tugging on each other's beards, thus crashing into furniture and walls. We're hoping they'll get through thier adolesent years soon. But, they are loveable and I'm not a "caretaker" but a genuine "canine mother!"

Kam, you are so right. I am Bridget's (the cocker spaniel's) mother for sure.

Kay, <BR>Right now, as always when I'm on this infernal machine, Paddington (Paddy), our big,white loveable Clumber Spaniel snores and sprawls at my feet.

Doggy travellers, unite! I don't have any of my own because I'm an apartment dweller, but I'm honorary parent and beta-dog to my best friend's four. Three more-or-less Australian cattle dogs (a/k/a Queensland heelers) and one purebred skippy-pom (a/k/a half schipperke, half Pomeranian former dog of the streets). To bring this more or less onto topic, I carry their picture in my wallet when I travel and it's led to many conversations with shopowners, etc. First question is usually "Are they *all* yours?"

Obviously they're out chasing cats...... <BR>and getting their noses bitten we hope..

Wow now this really made all of the posters on the other thread get a life.

Dear KK: Glad you asked. My coal black miniature poodle, Remy (former resident of our local animal shelter) is on the floor directly blocking my exit from our computer room. Note I say "our" because everything I have belongs to both of us. He's my best friend--and protector when needed (though he's a real wuss when it thunders). When someone tried to break into the back porch two years ago he woke me in the middle of the night with a very business-like growl (which enabled me to hit the emergency panel by my bed). I've already contributed to Denise's multi-part thread but--for the record here--Remy and I live in Louisiana on the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain. Joan

I have 2 male Austrailian shepherds- one a red tri and the other a red merle. A six year old shepherd mix was laying outside the barn about a month ago and as her feet were full of burrs we took pity on her and took her in- she was terrified by our California thunder today and ran in the house- NOT! I said- my doggies stay outside! Kittie cat named Munchkin is in the house. I also raise show rabbits (yes there is such a thing) and have Mini Rex and Tans (a breed developed in the UK) and I will be going to Belgium in October on a quest to find the elusive Lion Head rabbit developed there! Also get to attend a rabbit show in Brugge and visit the home of a wonderful friend I met on the internet- she will meet me at the train in Mendolen(?) and take me to her home for breakfast and a quick look at her bunnies- then off to the show! She has been wonderful- sending me all kinds of train info etc! People there are so kind! She is a website designer and quickly put together a website of her hometown so I could see it! Oh my gosh, is it beautiful!

Wes, just met a lady who raises and shows Clumber spaniels here in the Bay area. What a nice breed! She calls them mini St. Bernards in temperment. Unfortunately for our house, walls, door, screens etc, we are enamoured of the terrier type! High energy, high maintenance, but very loveable. As we say about the Wheatens, "Coat of honey, heart of gold"--they are truly wonderful friends but they don't doze on the sofa while you're on the computer! Much prefer to chew the rug pads! All dogs are a blessing--we hardly deserve these wonderful beasts! Pat your kid for me.

I think the reason there don't seem to be as many dogs as cats is that so many of us are inveterate travelers and a dog is harder to leave behind than a cat, which is somewhat more self-sufficient. I would absolutely love to have a dog as wonderful as my miniature poodle Appy was, but it wouldn't be fair. I'm saving that joy to compensate for when I can't get around anymore, long into the future. Then I'll read about places I've been with a dog at my side.

Most of them seem to be posting on this forum.....on the internet nobody knows you're a dog...woof!

Had a 1-year-old blue merle Australian Shepherd named Cory. Great dog -- obedient, friendly and even off-leash trained. Used to sleep behind my chair while I read the board. We left him for the first time this summer to take a trip. He died in his sleep while we were away, and we'll never know why. We miss him. <BR> <BR>We're looking for another puppy now, and we're thinking of a Bearded Collie. We'll see.

Tricia and Cindy- We had the most wonderful red merle Australian shepherd named Gumbo. Gumbo was eleven when he died last October, just a week before we left for Switzerland and Italy. We still miss him. He was so intelligent, and loved us as much as we loved him. Our other pup literally stopped my husband John's car on his way to work one June morning eight years ago. He appears to be, as John describes him, "made up of left-over parts." People say he look a little like a corgi with a collie head and tail?! Our daughter-in-law named him Crawdad ("to go with the Gumbo", she said.) <BR>

I had three dogs once. Had intended to sell the house because it took so much time to maintain so I shipped them overseas last year to my brother (now I have knowledge about how to ship dogs). In any case, ended up not selling the hosue as we would lose too much in taxes. As much as I miss them, I don't want to take the risk to ship them back as they might not be able to take the stress. In addition they are now friends with the caretaker we hired for them. I like to think of them as being in boarding school. The good thing is that someone's always home so they're not lonely (compared to the 12 hours we were at work or commuting). Con is that no one could ever pay attention to them they way we did. In any case, it was hard to travel when we had dogs. One dog went to a different kennel (much more expensive too in addition to being in another county than ours) because he was happier there. <BR>We will be visiting them next month though so I can't wait to see if they look as good the pictures my brother sent me.

Winston, our fifth sequentially speaking Old English Shhepdog is padding round the room as I type, peching like a train and periodically licking any one he comes in contact with. <BR> <BR>Shame he can't travel with us.

Our 14-year-old Black Labrador, Shadow, is sitting right beside me as I type. We have had him since he was a puppy and can hardly bear the thought that he will be leaving us soon. He sleeps a lot, has a winning disposition, and has a big appetite -- just like me.

We have a dog sitter whom we call "Mary Poppins". I think our guy actually looks forward to our travels so he can sleep on the bed with Mary! He's a Norwich terrier named Scratch.

It's awfully sad reading about those of you that have lost your dogs. It helps to realize that, however short or long the time that they were with you, their lives were better because you gave them a home where they could feel secure and the thing that dogs crave most - Love. <BR> <BR>Once, during a lunchtime conversation about France, one of my colleagues sarcastically asked me "is there anything you like about the French?" My answer: they love their dogs. <BR> <BR>My best buddy Ali, our youngest Boston Terrier, is sitting on my lap recuperating from knee surgery. She just turned one year old last Sunday. Ali doesn't have all the classic Boston features- her ears are way too big and rounded, and she has a corkscrew tail- but we think she's perfect. <BR> <BR>Our other Boston, Shelby, is 2 1/2 years old and much more attached to my wife. Right now I'm guessing that she's in the window watching my wife water the plants. <BR> <BR>We have a trip to Germany, Belgium and England coming up in 1 1/2 months and we're counting the days. The thought of leaving "the girls" behind makes us pretty sad, though.