I have had a dog most of my life
@DocAndersen (54399)
United States
June 5, 2020 2:57pm CST
Our first dog had to stay in Chicago (Graduate student housing didn't allow dogs back then). Our second dog was a Collie, named MacGregor, he passed away from Canine Leukemia after three years.
But then came the dog in the picture. Phoebe Kuma.
A Newfoundland. She took over our family and ruled it for 7 years.
Oh yeah, the picture is of Pheobe and I.
16 people like this
16 responses
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
5 Jun 20
What a cute picture. I really miss having dogs in the family.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
it has been a part of my life for many years, but there will come a time when I won't have one.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
6 Jun 20
@DocAndersen We decided that now since we're both so OLD and it's helpful when we are away from the house that we don't have to worry about the dogs, that we aren't going to get any more...but we talk about dogs all the time! :-(
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
@LindaOHio i understand that decision, my mom is thinking that through right now. Her youngest dog is 6 so it is probably her last
2 people like this
@rebelann (117277)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Jun 20
So she was a good babysitter @DocAndersen ?
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
@rebelann my little sister didn't think so, she (Phoebe) wouldn't let her do anything
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
Phoebe was 104 pounds and a big dog. We loved her. But she often stepped in and wouldn't let us do things!
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
5 Jun 20
Gee, I am surprised to know that the handsome young man was you. I thought he was your son.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
well i moved far away from handsome over the years!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
they do and she without a doubt did!
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
16 Jun 20
@DocAndersen
She is beautiful. Did you ever have cats too? You have dogs now too don't you?
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
16 Jun 20
@DocAndersen
I understand why you have dogs and no cats. You have so glad I am not allergic to cats.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Jun 20
@Hannihar my wife adores cats, it makes her sad that we cannot have one...
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Jun 20
we have dogs now (my wife is allergic to cats). growing up we also had cats.
1 person likes this
@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
5 Jun 20
I mostly had a dog when I was a child, one period I was without a pet, my last pet was a cat. I don't have it right now, I couldn't at the moment due to business obligations, I'm mostly on the road
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
that sounds like the best solution, if you have to travel it is hard on dogs or cats to be alone.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
@LowRiderX when I was traveling my wife stayed home so it worked out
1 person likes this
@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
6 Jun 20
@DocAndersen Yes, that's why I don't have it right now
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169585)
• United States
16 Jul 20
You seem to have been acute kid, and Phoebe made sure you did what you were supposed to.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
16 Jul 20
my mom always says that the reason she doesn't remember me as a child, is that i vexed her so!
@kareng (80243)
• United States
10 Jun 20
@DocAndersen That's how I feel about our mini dachshunds. I miss them so much!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
7 Jun 20
she was the best i will never forget her.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
10 Jun 20
@kareng it is a hard thing - i have a really good friend that says dogs embody the love we wish we could always give.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128856)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jun 20
I've only had one dog in my life, it was a little beagle. My dad named him Bogie, after Humphrey Bogart. Sadly, that dog was hit by a car when I was about 6 or 7 years old, and I was so devastated I never wanted another dog after that. Our family then switched to cats, and we've had cats pretty much ever since. Currently, I do not have any pets in my house, but my daughter does have a dog that she keeps at her mom's house.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128856)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jun 20
@DocAndersen I guess it was just overly emotional for me being so young when it happened. I just never wanted another dog after that.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
7 Jun 20
@moffittjc i understand that, my sister didn't have a dog, she lost one in the same way, for many years.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
losing a dog is tough, i know that feeling all too well.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
11 Jun 20
sorry to hear about the allergy. My wife is allergic to cats, she loves them but is allergic but she can't have them in the house she can't breathe
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
yes Kuma is Japanese for little black bear!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
6 Jun 20
I went about 3 years without a dog from 2008 - 2011, I too have always had a dog or cat or both
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
it is a special bond when you start talking dogs and cats!
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Jun 20
@DocAndersen Thank you, I feel honored to have him. I had many dogs before my cats.
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
they are amazing - of course so are cats. Few are blessed with the presence of The Dude!
1 person likes this
@jayanth_77 (7179)
• India
6 Jun 20
You have a sweet little dog who is caring and loving. I always wonder why dogs have short lives.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
they have perfected love and don't need a whole life to learn
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
@jayanth_77 i like the way you presented that, and I wish it were true.
1 person likes this
@jayanth_77 (7179)
• India
6 Jun 20
@DocAndersen I agree but dog do have short life. They live for hardly 1/10 th of a man's life . If they lived for as long as a man lived then you won't find lonely people around and dog could be your best friend for life.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86901)
• United States
6 Jun 20
She took over our family and ruled it for 7 years.
It’s good to see you know your place in the world, too. 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
6 Jun 20
i do, i was trained at an early age
1 person likes this
