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To Celebrate ‘Love Your Pet Day’ People Share What They Love About Their Dog

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Elizabeth Spence
Elizabeth Spence and Dot and Daisy

Let’s face it: we celebrate our furries every day of the year, not just for a particular holiday. Not only do dogs provide us unconditional love, endless laughs and keep us entertained for hours, but they are also our support system, knowing when we need them the most, offering a kind of loyalty you can’t find anywhere else.

But alas, because it is “Love Your Pet Day,” we asked some dog lovers what they love most about their best friend.

Here is what they had to say.

Sophie Gamand, dog photographer and author, MacLovin’s mom

Sophie Gamand and MacLovin
Sophie Gamand and MacLovin

MacLovin and I found each other in the most horrible shelter I have ever visited. Dogs were suffering and dying around us, and we were both in shock. When we met, we knew we belonged together. 

MacLovin is a sensitive soul. He reminds me every day of all the wonderful doggies who are waiting for someone to give them a new life. From our first day together, Mac has trusted me to guide him in this confusing world, and I take my job seriously. I love when he is completely relaxed with his dad and me, and lets a long sigh out, as if someone was deflating a balloon slowly. Every sigh he lets out, I hope heals a bit of the trauma he endured before we met him. 

Related: Owner Spends $6 Million on Super Bowl Ad to Celebrate His Dog’s Life

Mac is super food motivated and we’ve learned a bunch of tricks together. He is a great model — though perhaps too serious about his job — and was a great foster brother whenever we fostered. He huffs and puffs when it’s time for a treat or if dinner is even two minutes late, and that can escalate to a soft whine and mild speaking if I am too slow to deliver.

He is the cutest little brindle sausage! He smells delicious, especially his paws after a long day of fun at his favorite daycare. I love his soft ears and that when he is pooped, spread out on his back, he shows his bottom teeth in a blissful smile. Mac is my good boy!” 

Andrea Huspeni, founder of This Dog’s Life, Milo and Lola’s mom

Andrea Huspeni
Andrea Huspeni with Milo and Lola

Dogs have always been part of my life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Growing up they were my sidekicks, as I explored in the woods near my home, when I needed a “sleigh” dog to pull me from one side of the driveway to the next and be my students, teaching them countless tricks.

Now, as an adult, they have become my calm, my rock. Living in New York can be chaotic and so can running a business. But Milo and Lola remind me to be present, relax and really take in the little things. From petting them, feeling their bodies snuggle up to mine and the wags of their tails when I get home, they make me feel deeply loved every day – without any expectations.

So, while they provide me hours of endless entertainment, they also are such a refreshing reminder of what is really important in life: love.

Sam Carrell, actress, Tinkerbelle The Dog’s mom

Sam Carrell and Tinkerbelle

I love Tinkerbelle The Dog because she is the sweetest, kindest, loving, gentle and most friendly pup on earth. Tinkerbelle The Dog is my best friend. She makes every day better and if I have a bad day – she is by my side to brighten it.

Marisa Grimshaw, VP of communications, LilyBug’s mom

Marisa Grimshaw
Marisa Grimshaw and LilyBug

While I have had dogs my entire life, I have never had a connection with a dog like I do with LilyBug (aka Bug). Bug is truly my soul dog, but she’s also just a really great dog. She’s sweet, affectionate, empathetic, loves all people and all dogs. She’s just as happy to relax at home, go on an adventure and most of all, she just wants to be with me — no matter what we’re doing.

Related: Two Dogs Fall in Love at a Park – and So Do Their Owners

Elizabeth Spence, artist, Dot, Daisy, Nora and Remington’s mom

Elizabeth Spence and Dot and Daisy

We have four dogs, and I love them so much; I would die for them. They have their own unique personalities, but outside of that they are pretty much the same: gentle, loving, snuggly, loyal and full of love, the unconditional kind.

Our dogs are all rescues as well, and I think sometimes they really appreciate what they have now more than the average dog, so there’s even more love to be shared.

There is nothing greater than coming home to a dog. A being on earth that lives to love and be loved. Who could not want to surround themselves with that? I’m grateful every day for our four precious dogs and the way they enrich our lives!

Nathalie Gummerson, integrated marketing at This Dog’s Life, Brie’s mom

Nathalie Gummerson
Nathalie Gummerson and Brie

My love for dogs started at a very early age. My childhood happy place involved spending time with my little pups, reading about 300 dog breeds cover to cover and posting about my nature and pet club. (Not the best idea for a 9-year-old to have signs with her address and phone number all over the neighborhood so my dad was quick to take them all down.)

One of my first jobs as a teen was working at the pet store and volunteering at the local animal adoption center. More than 10 years later, I married my husband who also spent his teens working at a pet store halfway across the nation. Coincidence? Fate?
 
Fate also brought us to Brie, our lovable white Labrador. Brie literally makes me laugh and smile every day. Her enthusiasm over the little things and the same daily routine reminds me to live in the moment and be appreciative of all that I have. I wonder how she can get so excited about the same walk through the neighborhood; you would think that we were going to Hawaii. Seeing life through her eyes (and nose and ears) has really grounded me and made me pause and relish in what truly brings me joy. From the way her head hangs off her bed when she naps to her loud groans when my husband is making jokes, her quirkiness incites those deep belly laughs that only a dog can bring.

Kay, photographer, Aqua’s mom

Kay and Aqua

Aqua is my life saver, emotional and mental supporter, exercise partner, comedian and lovable little Corgi.

My personal life started to fall apart about a year after I welcomed Aqua. My 8-year marriage was often filled with loneliness and mental illnesses. It ended up in divorce. My husband left me, but Aqua always needed me to socialize, throw a ball, feed him, teach him tricks. His happy face and silly actions definitely make my day better. Additionally, he was the main reason why I started to learn photography with my DSLR.  

It’s been hard to feel “happy” in this past 10 years due to my personal life issues, but the only thing I can say is that I’m very happy that Aqua is always with me to cheer me up.

Related: In Official Portrait, Dog Can’t Help But Express His Love for His Handler

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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