I’ve always noticed massive dogs and am drawn to them immediately. The THS experiences have taught me that every dog has his day, his appeal too. Some of the smallest have bowled me over and refused to be ignored or overlooked. This picture about a Yorkie is a case in point. So much comes from so little!
I can relate to this @Highfive 
my sister has chiahuahua and I developed a real soft spot for them after spending some time with them! I used to think they were loud and snappy but they’re so sweet (but also loud and snappy when feeling territorial 
)
This is Noa, the old boy of the chihuahua crew, he likes to be held like a baby.
Is there a little dog in particular who first melted your heart?
Finding the right partner is one of the most important choices in life. How they treat pets is a very valuable pointer!
Was watching a murder series and the murderer had killed a pet parrot, as a child. Animal cruelty can be a pre cursor to human cruelty..
My wife was brought up with budgies whereas I always had dogs.. but whatever the pets how they get treated speaks volumes!
I’d like to introduce you to the latest recruit at the village police station in our Spanish home in Madrid Province.
Some are highly trained to battle against the toughest of criminals and assist in their detection and capture.
This one is quite over powering already and he’s clearly very young still.
He’s got me under his paw of the Law already!
A lovely tribute @Highfive - thank you for sharing!
Right now, my cat Walter is teaching me the value of early nights and keeping cosy!
As a young cat, he was out and about all night, but now that he’s an old gentleman, he much prefers to stay home.
I tend to be a night owl, but Walter always looks so comfy and cosy on my bed, so I’ve started getting into bed much earlier because it gets dark so early!
Jumping in a little late to this beautiful thread, but I’ve loved reading everyone’s stories.
The pets we’ve cared for over the years have quietly become some of our best teachers. Dogs remind us to slow down and savour the unhurried moments — those early-morning wanders where they sniff every leaf like it’s brand new. Cats, of course, have perfected the art of being fully present… and fully themselves. One elegant little queen taught us that “purrfection” is simply choosing comfort, warmth, and good company, preferably in a sunbeam.
And then there are the gentle souls like rabbits, who nibble on delicate petals as if reminding us to take life one soft mouthful at a time. They teach you to sit, breathe, smell the roses, and even watch the grass grow — literally — without rushing to the next thing.
I suppose that’s the magic of animals. Their lessons arrive quietly, wrapped in small, daily moments, until they become part of the rhythm of your own life.
Looking forward to reading more of these lovely reflections.
Beautifully put and I find that when I solo sit I get very intuned to each and every one, becoming more reflective about what I’m experiencing and learning from them. Rabbits were a big surprise how very trusting and accepting they were for their daily feed. They were hand fed so we quickly bonded and meals couldn’t be rushed, which was as near to breast feeding as a male sitter can get I expect! Whereas the Labradors in my life now make the feeding ritual quite short and all consuming in a different way!
My own Great Danes enjoyed their food but were quite messy and slopped some about and left some in their raised bowls that were placed at bench height to aid their digestion and avoid stomach bloat. Birds and badgers would then swoop in and amble along (in the case of the badgers) to tidy up after these giant diners. How I miss my messy monsters! I admired their Lack of greed and how once fed they didn’t pester me for treats. That can’t be said of some eternal beggars !
I’ve just accepted a week’s sit of a beautiful Bull Mastiff
On the video call I had to confess how excited I was about the prospect! I’m sure the huge dog will teach me some new tricks! How do I explain the six hour car journey is sure to be worth the trouble? The Home Owners know where I’m coming from, fortunately. My chance to relive my Great Dane cherished memories for sure!
I wanted to share an article I read about an owner’s unforgettable pet.
Luke, a blind Australian Shepherd, was rescued from a working horse farm. “ Even though he can’t see Luke moves around with a fearlessness that is inspiring. “
“He compensates with his other senses ; Luke can smell and hear at an astonishing level, that’s how he notices things.But he also seems to understand that he’s going to run into things and be confused at times. That does not deter him In the slightest. “
When the owner had two heart attacks last year, the dog was distraught the whole time his owner was hospitalized and stuck by him on his return. “He’s brought me back to life with his unconditional love.”
When the owner explains the dog is blind visitors shake their head in pity. Luke however has a full and happy life. The owner appreciates the true joy that Luke brings to everyone around him every day.
“He’s different but able, and every day he teaches us that it’s ok to be the same. You don’t have to be perfect; you just need to keep trying, to keep caring. You are going to bump into stuff in this life, maybe even hit your head but you can’t give up. Luke would not.”
I’ve looked after blind dogs. What I’ve noticed is how attached they are to me when I’m looking after them. It makes me more mindful of their special needs and more in tune with what extra difficulties they are facing. The sniffing is prolonged on first acquaintance! They love being near and being petted. “Luke likes bones and being scratched behind the ears” “ He dislikes fireworks and loud noises”
Keeping the
floor clear of obstacles and minimizing the dog bumping into things helps of course. Looking after a blind dog makes me more considerate and empathetic as I age and struggle with my own handicaps. Hearing and sight are two senses that are dulling with age.
“ He seems to sense when you’re down.” The dog inspired the owner to recuperate and share his dog’s inspiring attitude to life.
Their lack of self pity is something that I also find inspiring. Not all dogs that are blind are born blind, of course. Some become blind as they age; just like we humans.
Here’s Ella who I really loved looking after recently. She grew blind with age. She showed very clearly how much she loved treats and shared time on the sun lounger with me. Her taste buds, sense of smell and touch were spot on! Her hearing too was way better than mine!
She showed what a beautiful life she was still enjoying and how happy she was with how things were. What a great attitude to have as one ages!
I’m interested in sayings about animals that can teach us some home truths. Here in Spain I’m learning Spanish ones that often have an English equivalent, but not always.
If we say “ you’re p u s s y footing around” We imply the person isn’t being direct and honest in dealing with an uncomfortable topic or taking a decision.
In Spanish this saying is implying much the same idea : “Gato con guantes, no caza ratones”.
a glove-wearing cat doesn’t catch rats.
“ Quien no tiene can, caza con gato”
He who doesn’t have a dog hunts with a cat.
This saying implies adapt and make the most of what you have to achieve a chosen objective.
In Spanish- speaking countries a cat has seven lives.. in English- speaking countries it has nine.
So much more than a dog at any rate!
All cats are grey in the dark. Things can appear to be true but in fact,with more information, they clearly aren’t.
“To bell the cat”.” Ponerle el cascabel al gato”
Make it harder for the cat to prey on the mice. Who dares to risk his life to achieve a change in the fortunes of the fellow mice?
In Spanish, when the cat’s away … the mice will dance. (I like this difference! Viva España! )
“Es mejor ser cabeza del ratón , que cola de léon.” Better to be a mouse’s head than the tail of a lion.
In English we say, “a live dog is better than a dead lion.”
Also in Spanish :” más vale perro vivo que léon muerto.”
A barking dog never bites is similar in Spanish.
Dog eat dog has a variant. Dog does not eat dog. In Spanish : “ un lobo a otro no se muerden.” A wolf doesn’t bite other wolves.
Every dog has his day. In Spanish this proverb is differently expressed.
“ a cada pajarillo le llega su veranillo.” Each little bird enjoys its little summer.
When you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas has the same Spanish equivalent. ( pet sitters beware!)
Let sleeping dogs lie: in Spanish: “ lo mejor es no meneallo.” It’s better not to stir it or shake it.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. In Spanish it’s :” Loro viejo no aprende a hablar.”( an old parrot doesn’t learn to speak.)
Don’t cast your pearls before swine becomes in Spanish: “ no se arrojan Margaritas a los cerdos.” ( don’t throw daisies to the pigs)
My favourite is : love me love my dog.
In Spanish it’s : “el que mi quiere tiene que aceptarme tal como soy, con perro incluido.”
I’d be very interested in those who know other languages can share sayings and proverbs about cats, dogs or other animals that they know of, especially if they are different to these.
They have taught me never to be too polite to growl at anyone who even looks sideways at my food.