In Honor Of Bo Obama, HuffPosters Share The (Puppy) Love

This is it, people! Today is the day. Bo Obama is coming home! We've all waited breathlessly for every little leak -- It's a portuguese water dog! His name is Bo! Oh, look! There's a photo of him running with Obama! Squee!!

Even Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald, our resident expert on just about everything, took time off from her Obama Garden Watch to keep an eye on the Obama Puppy Watch, while simultaneously giving us a rundown of all the amazing benefits of animal companionship. (Talk about multitasking! Whew!) As an animal lover myself, I could have told you that my dog does wonderful things for my psyche, but it's mind-blowing (and enabling!) to know that there are hard scientific facts behind my happiness. Turns out I wasn't the only one who's mind was blown.

We asked you -- the readers, our community, the nuts n' bolts and lynch pins of this fine site -- to share stories of how your pets have touched your lives, and the response was overwhelming. With almost 300 comments, we had a lot to cull through -- but can't help considering it one of the most heart-warming activities we've ever had to do. (We highly recommend it!)

And so, without further ado, let the animal love begin!

From TazoWolf:

My dog, Rigel, was a life saver. Twice he rescued me from potential injury/death. Once was when I was doing some free climbing, and another time was when my cousin and I got caught in a freak snow storm when hiking and became lost. Rigel passed away last summer, and I still miss him sorely.

He was my most faithful friend during one of the most difficult times of my life, when I faced potentially terminal illness. He was permitted to visit me in the hospital. When I was home, yet too ill to go out, he would pick up my groceries for me. I'd call the store down the street so someone could meet him. Rigel would go there, wearing his backpack. The person who met him would put my groceries in his backpack and send him home.

Dogs are highly intelligent. There are some that can sniff out cancer. We use them in search and rescue. Dogs help the blind, and they help people with seizures and other medical issues.

I am a medical student. I hope that my next dog will be able to help in my work as a therapy dog, search and rescue, perhaps even sniffing out cancer.

Rigel was a rescue. He may have been a Shiloh Shepherd, or a shepherd/malamute mix. Whatever he was, he was my hero and my best friend.

From SFreeBorn:

I make up songs and sing to my kitties, Teaser & the Firecat. For me, it seems that Firecat was the big red kitty that I had wanted since I was a child and he sits on my lap for hours and purrs and purrs. Its way more satisfying than winning an intellectual argument. If I had known I would have this much fun, I would have gotten two kitties at once long ago. Watching them race around together and learning the way that they communicate has been a lot of fun. I had dogs before, but kitties are really fun too.

From JoandeV:

Seven years ago I decided to adopt a dog. I decided, for reasons I'm not yet sure of, to try to adopt a disabled dog. I found a sweet little poodle mix at the pound whose back legs were paralyzed. Before making a decision, I asked a friend of mine (who is a veterinarian) about caring for him. I also discussed this with a woman who had a website about disabled dogs.

I finally decided to get him. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life! Happy is just that! Happy. His paralysis turned out to be temporary, although his back legs are still weak and he has occasional back problems. The thing is, Happy was never disabled. I learned from Happy that disability is largely a value judgment, and Happy valued himself and his own life very highly. I was going through a severe depression during this time and Happy's example, as well as his unconditional love, really helped me survive.

From CR46:

2 of my rescues visit hospitals and nursing homes on a regular basis. I have seen over the years that these visits are so important to and the highlight of the week at the 2 nursing homes we visit. The dogs always know who needs "extra" attention on different days.

Though they drive us crazy...

From Clarabell:

We had a wonderful yellow lab, named Luke. He had been trained for the "hearing impaired," but for some reason he flunked (something about his bark -- maybe he didn't bark at the right time). Well anyway, we got him at the SPCA and he was a wonderful pet. But if we took him camping, he managed to tangle with a skunk (and we had to head for home), or he would get in some poison oak -- more problems. And if we left him in a kennel, he came home full of fleas. Yes, we loved him dearly, he's gone now, but I don't want any more dogs.

And leave us prone to exaggeration...

From attyrose3:

I have two bulldogs that are about 14 months old. Since getting their puppy shots and being out and about in public, there has not been one instance where strangers come over to the puppies smiling and delighted to have a visit with Mamie and Bandit. The puppies very presence brings joy to me, my partner, and eveyone who encounters them. I was out with them at a shopping center a few weeks ago and literally several hundred people took time to come over, pet them, and ask about them.

They'll never forget us...

From VOTER:

I was once away for 3+ years and when I returned home, our family dog, Frisky, sat by my side for 6 hours straight. Wouldn't let me out of her sight. Wouldn't leave me.
And to think I had worried she had forgotten me.

And, sometimes, they even save our lives...

From chibbles:

No matter what time I come home from work my dog is always at the door to great me. The husband and kid are fast asleep by my black lab is standing there tail wagging as if to say hello, I missed you, I'm glad you're home. Our American Eskimo that passed away woke the family up in the middle of the night when a tornado was about to touch down a few miles away. We had no idea what was going on.

One thing though Mrs Obama may want to keep her shoes out of sight until little Bo is acclimated to his new home. Both dogs we've had always went for my shoes until they were trained. Never the guys shoes, just mine.

Please keep the stories coming -- and we'll keep posting them! And if you have any photos of you and your pets, send them to [e-mail] -- we'd love to see them and, in turn, share them with the rest of you!

Comments

[texhall00]

On the news sometime ago there was a story about a man and his dog. This man would arrival at the same time each working day and was met by his dog at the train station. The man died, however the loyal dog would go each day and the same time to wait for his owner. The dog did this until he died. I was very moved by this sweet story.

[Yaaawn]

When my dog passed and life ended. Got another dog and life was better. Thank God for dogs!

[Pupadup4oBama]

Our springer spaniel is the love of our lives.
When we come home she runs up to us, because her tail is just a nub she wags her whole behind...she'll come up and curl her body into our legs waiting for a TUSHIE rub....she loves it and we get such a thrill.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

We have 2 kitty cats- they are the love of our lives- I love what you say- I grew up with a spaniel called Dusty Moppet

they say dogs need masters cats need slaves

I guess I am hooked

I adore them I ca deal with it!

Ed

[CintiBlue]

I love pets!!

How many out there know regular walkers by their dogs and fumble for names/recognition when they've left their better half at home?

I've got an 18 year-old kitty who hates to be picked up but has slept right next to me for most of the nights in that wonderful long life.

[mlaiuppa]

Anyone that says you can't buy love has never owned a dog. And often...they're free. And priceless.

[MissElaineous]

I've always had animals in the house. I can't imagine life without them.

[DumbDad]

At one insane point in the 1970's somebody floated a proposition to ban dogs from Manhattan as part of a huge quality-of-life environment clean-up reform. It stopped when an elderly lady asked a panel at a hearing,

"If they get rid of the dogs, who will there be to love us?"

[Karen Leland - Huffpost Blogger]

I loved these! My own dog is coming round the corner at 15 years and starting to show her age. Everyday with her is a blessing. Thanks for reminding me of how precious our four legged friends are.

[lcdbsez]

Aaaaaa-dorable!!!

Dogs are the best! Sounds like Bo's a perfect match for the first family -- energetic, playful, fun -- love it!!

Does Bo sing? Our chocolate Lab/bird-dog (a rescue dog) loves to sing -- can't wait to hear the news about Bo's progress in the WH.

[phinney]

Yah! Another distraction tool or Obama to use.

[lcdbsez]

phinney --

You shouldn't post when you're drinking.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

phinney- you are being foolish

Just about every Prez had a dog that the people and the media went wild for

didn't you see Bush walking his dog many times?

If you want to say something negative about Obama try to be intelligent - or is it that there isn't something negative for you to say?

May all people be happy

Ed

[Pupadup4oBama]

Thank you!

[neurologymatters]

A family member is in a Health Facility for rehab. Today I brought our dog in for a surprise visit (it is allowed) and everyone's spirits were lifted. Unconditonal love is the best. Why don't certain housing facilities allow dogs when they add so much to our lives?

[justafarmer]

I have a farm full of rescued animals...dogs, cats, goats, peacocks, etc.
I'm really surprised that I just came up with a mental association taht has not come up yet with first puppy...
"The Name Game"... Bo-bama, bama Bobama, be by bo bama...
:)

[CintiBlue]

Great reference to a classic!!

It'll pop into my head all night.

[lizzyLoo]

Bobama is a rock star, cute dog!

I have two labs, four cats and, yes, animals contribute so much to our lives.
I'm not really religious but the bible does say there are angels in our midst. I often wonder if many of them are the furry kind - just a thought.

[Fudgefase]

It wouldn't be heaven without our most faithful and undemanding friends there.....

[DumbDad]

The oldest Gospel says that when Jesus was tested by the devil, animals came and ministered to him. It was the later versions that changed this to 'angels'. hmmmmmm.

[OutWest08]

If you research the hierarchy of angels (to put it simple) the higher orders are spoken to have not human but animal forms...

[Pupadup4oBama]

I definitely think animals are on a different "realm" than we.
I have learned a lot from observing my dog as well as other dogs.
They never judge, they just move on.
When I am sad, she will come to my side and give me puppy licks....it's the greatest therapy around.

[creolemama]

I have an adorable black and white cocker spaniel named Bruiser. He has frequent dreams in which he barks and whimpers, he throws up on the stairs weekly, and pees on himself when he is overly excited, but I love him to death. He has the most adorable floppy ears and the saddest, most expressive brown droopy eyes you've ever seen. He gives the most reproachful look if you do something so gauche as to awaken him from his frequent naps. Having a dog is wonderful, he's really enriched my life. Congratulations Obamas!

[neuroness]

I had a dog that looked just like this that my daughter picked up at the Rooster Crow in Rogue River Oregon for free. She lived with us for 17 years. Hope the Obamas have the same luck.