My dogs and I are very close. Sometimes I think they actually grow out of my side. They are always with me when I am home, whether in my office, the kitchen, or the bedroom; shucks, they are even in the bathroom with me. If I get up to get a cup of coffee, Sofie is right behind me unless I tell her to ‘stay.’ We move as a pack. On the days that I put the dogs in daycare, like today, the first thing that happens is a child wakes up and says, ‘Where are my puppies?’ Then, around mid-day, I start to feel like something is missing: I don’t get my 1-mile walk when they are not home; I don’t go up and down the stairs a million times to let them outside (my StairMaster exercise); and, I don’t go outside to play. How silly is that? Part of having the dogs for me is to help me stay in balance. I am not very good about that. Working in the virtual world, I sit in front of this computer for hour after hour and sometimes forget to get up, to stretch, to take a break. My dogs help me remember to do that. They also make me a better human. They teach me tolerance and acceptance. They make me a better teacher and their existence has made me into a student of animal nature. I have less freedom because of their daily demands, but that is OK. They keep me grounded. They keep me, well…. human. I can not imagine my life without them.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo <3 
barb19
August 16, 2012 at 01:22
My dog keeps me balanced too, and I cannot imagine life without her; she is my constant companion, just like yours are.
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 06:40
They are so sweet, aren’t they?
jmgoyder
August 16, 2012 at 03:34
I know exactly what you are saying here – beautiful!
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 06:40
Thanks
Genevieve Petrillo
August 16, 2012 at 05:30
Cupcake makes perfect balance here, too. Diagnosed with RA at age 17, there are MANY days that I do not feel like walking. But because of her, we’re out there hoofing it around the neighborhood or the park and feeling better and stronger because of it. No better medicine.
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 06:42
I absolutely understand. I have had Lupus for 18 years. I really don’t want to move my body most days, but, you have to, for them.
Doggy's Style
August 16, 2012 at 07:45
that’s all very true, for me Doggy it’s my therapy dog.
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 08:13
Absolutely
tinykitchenstories
August 16, 2012 at 09:38
Wonderful post!
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 09:45
Thank you for letting me know you liked it
tinykitchenstories
August 16, 2012 at 12:20
I completely understood how you feel. Love my four-leggeds! Miss her when I’m at work, and I’m now hoping I can work at home more so that my Kayla can bring me that balance.
Bassas Blog
August 16, 2012 at 12:03
This was a very lovely post.
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 15:56
Thanks Bassa. I know you and Tall Person have a very special bond too.
Jodi Stone
August 16, 2012 at 12:12
I feel the same way about my dogs!
dogdaz
August 16, 2012 at 15:56
It is obvious that you do. Thanks
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
August 21, 2012 at 18:40
Well said and I could not agree more
dogdaz
August 21, 2012 at 19:35
Thanks Misty. Greatly appreciate the feedback.
Jessica
August 30, 2012 at 19:47
When Hopper passed away, there was a horrible feeling that I just was not myself. I had a hard time articulating it verbally. But what you said makes so much sense. Even though I was only Hopper’s mommy for 6 months, I felt imbalanced.
dogdaz
August 30, 2012 at 21:00
I find that they are a piece of me and when they are gone, or even when I am traveling, it is not the same. That imbalance is ‘true bond,’ <3