We have a 7 year old yellow lab. We got her when she was 12 weeks old and it was a birthday present for my wife (who at the time was just the girlfriend). It was an impulse purchase but one that we were so very happy to have made.
I don't know about the rest of you, but once we had kids Zoe suddenly became less human and more of just the "dog". She's got some separation anxiety or jealousy...call it what you will, but she'll shred paper and kleenex, will jump on the counter and take food off of the counter and the table. She's not to the point of being a nuisance and lot of what she gets into is our fault, but damn I just feel like more of a caretaker for her now. We have to worry about her barking if someone rings the doorbell (in fear she'll wake up our son or daughter).
I do feel bad for her as she no longer gets the attention she once did for the first five years of her life, but the kids have taken over the priorities for obvious reasons. I was one of those people that thought nothing would change when we had children...Zoe would always remain our baby, but now she is scolded more than she is praised.
If anything, Pk's story enlightened me about the life of a pet. They are part of your family, however good and bad their behavior is. We just need to be a bit more understanding of her feelings. I don't want to lose her in the next few years and have that guilt I ignored her and didn't appreciate her love.
Oh well......my nose is running and my eyes are watering. Damn allergies.
