MUST SEE!!! Dogs welcoming back their soldier parents!

[xultar]

OMG. This is the best.
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324

Happy Veterans Day

[Brickbat]

1. Heh, my dogs do that when I come back from the store.

[xultar]

I thought it was nice for Veterans Day.

[Brickbat]

4. It is.

Wasn't trying to put a damper on it.

[1]

130. truth! cat people are always trying to justisfy their investment in those sour little creatures...

truth is... dog rule. love. that's what they do. that's all they know how to do. they can't help themselves. if they see you? love. right there, right now. tails a waggin'. dogs are the best.

cats? eh... i'll give to them what they give to me. pretty much nothing. that is what they do.

pick your pet. if you like to be shit upon, by all means choose a cat.

if you want to be loved? go with a dog...

[wysimdnwyg]

135. You never met my Bali

He would run down the stairs to greet me when I got home every night. When I laid down on my sofa, he would jump up and lay between my arm and body and go to sleep. I love my dog, but Bali loved me just as much as Dusty does, and he showed it every day.

[sui generis]

136. your cat knows what you think of cats.

My two kitties are insane, every day when I get home from work. It's possible they're not aware that they are in fact cats, since their best friends are also a chihuahua and a pit bull. god forbid I have to pee when I walk in the door because my entourage joins me in the bathroom for front row tickets.

[Rozlee]

139. My cats wouldn't notice if I came back from the dead

Unless no one had been feeding them in the meantime.

[Zoeisright]

157. We were gone for three days and all of our cats welcomed us back.

Even Smuckers, who never meows - sat there talking and talking, trying to tell us everything that had happened.

[BuddhaGirl]

141. LOL!

that is so cute!! :-)

[closeupready]

138. Every cat I ever had was loving and friendly with me. So I don't know what you're talking about,

"sour".

[Arugula Latte]

156. Yep -- There is plenty of affection going around in our three-kitty house.

These anti-cat jerks don't know how to treat cats; that's why they have the wrong impression.

[closeupready]

161. that's what I've always thought.

I've just never much liked dogs - they're stinky and messy and loud. Cats are clean, quiet and cuddly - what's not to like? :)

[Kajsa]

145. Truth- Cats are different creatures altogether-

Lack of love?-No
Lack of caring?-No

Do they show it the same way dogs do?

Are you friggin kidding?

If you want someone to jump up on you,
wagging his tail, and licking your face with
happiness- then a dog is for you.

( btw, I love dogs, too)

If you are happy with a critter who will come over to you,
purr, maybe jump up on your lap, and rub you ( marking you)
as his human, then a cat is your critter.

I love them all.

Forgot to add,
I have one kitty now- his brother died last March.
Have had a two kitty household for years.

[Brickbat]

152. Actually, I like cats better. I wish my dogs would have a little pride sometimes.

Too bad I'm allergic to cats.

[Arugula Latte]

155. I'll take cats, thanks.

Cats rule.

Oh, and I don't get why so many dog people are assholes about cats. You don't want a cat? Fine. You don't have to keep denigrating cats. I don't want dogs but I don't go around insulting people who have them. And, okay, I did basically just call you an asshole, that's because you provoked me.

[Liquorice]

176. LOL I've had both dogs and cats. I only have a dog now. nt

[tk2kewl]

140. mine too, but i think his head would explode if I left for a year and then came back

he follows me everywhere. good boy.

[spanone]

2. that's great!!! Nominated!

[Dreamer Tatum]

3. That is awesome. K&R

[ZombieHorde]

5. I would like to see a video of cats welcoming their soldier parents back. nt

[xultar]

11. They'd rub against their legs till they bent down and then they'd claw their parent's

eyes out...and then the kitties would jump on their chest kneading and purring.

[Hello_Kitty]

13. I Can Haz Mai Veteran?

[Brigid]

72. Aren't dogs great?

Thanks for the evening smile. :)

[Arugula Latte]

23. When we come back from vacation, our kitties meet us at the door

meow happily, rub against our legs, purr, and then one of them rides my shoulder around for an hour. One sleeps on my pillow, uses my head as a pillow, purrs, and kneads my hair.

I don't get why so many dog people feel like they have to disparage cats. Cats are absolutely wonderful.

[Ruby the Liberal]

75. I have an exotic who doesn't understand that she is a BIG GIRL

and underestimates her strength at times. She kneads the side of my head in the mornings with her claws out. The other morning, I slept in. She decided that I needed a bath, and proceeded to give me one for almost 5 minutes. It was icky and cute as all get out at the same time. I woke up looking like Cameron Diaz in that "hair gel!" scene from There's Something About Mary.

Cats rock.

[Arugula Latte]

115. Ha ha! I often wake up with the "rat's nest" look thanks to my 17-year-old female kitty.

We've been bonded as "mommy-daughter" :) since we brought her home when she was a tiny flea-infested kitten.

Sometimes I don't clip her claws in a timely manner and then I get a head full of little scalp pinpricks when she "makes muffins." That is lots of fun if I try to dye my hair soon after! Ow ow ow! Still, I wouldn't trade our pillow time for anything.

Another time my 12-year-old male decided to wash my hand for me. I didn't realize it until after he'd stopped, but he'd taken a few layers off the ol' epidermus in one spot with his sandpaper tongue. Ouch! Still, I felt flattered.

Cats do rock. :hi:

[Xicano]

103. Hi Arugula Latte, have you seen this kitty reunion video?

Its a bit old, but, still nice to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc

[Arugula Latte]

114. Oh my gosh ... I LOVE Christian the Lion.

Beautiful story -- makes me cry! :cry: Thank you for posting that, I haven't seen footage about it in a long time.

:hi:

[FlaGranny]

132. I had a cat many years ago

who refused to take a bite of food for 2 weeks while I was away. When I returned and fed her, she resumed eating. My parents said she moped around the entire time I was gone and returned to herself when I came back. She followed me around like a puppy when I came home.

[Kajsa]

149. Exactly!

"I don't get why so many dog people feel like they have to disparage cats"

I don't get it either, Arugula Latte.

I love them all, so it's hard for me to understand any
deep seeded hatred/dislike for cats.

To the readers out there--
No,this is not an invitation to go on and on
about how terrible cats are,
several of you have already done that and then some.

There are gnarly cats and wonderful cats.
There are gnarly dogs and wonderful dogs.
We see them here. :)

Spare me any more hatred of felines.

I've already heard it and imho,
it's cat bigotry, plain and simple.

I've had cats for 52 years.

[ZombieHorde]

177. Sounds like your cats would make a very cute video. nt

[silverweb]

28. Cats are not as effusive, I know.

Something to do with their sense of "dignity" and "decorum," I think.

But I also know that when I've gone away for more than a day, I get just as heartwarming a welcome home. First order of business is to sit down so they can climb all over me, purring and vocalizing as they go.

[Arugula Latte]

50. Our cats do that, too (see above) and also they run up and down the hall

in a kitty gallop. They get a case of the crazy-happies. Sometimes it strikes in the middle of the night, too. :)

[silverweb]

66. LOL... yup.

I call those crazy happies "whack attacks."

With my four, they're quite common right after supper and again around 2 a.m. Love 'em! :D

[lonestarnot]

70. Doncha just love the crooked tail run sideways!

:D

[Arugula Latte]

77. Yes, that is hilarious! Even better is when the tail is poofy.

Kitties are endlessly delightful. :D

[lonestarnot]

95. The best are full of piss and vinegar.

:D

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Those are the coolest vids I have seen in EONS

Highly recommend and here is a kick to go with it.

On edit, someone reversed my rec. What kind of asshat would unrec a thread like this?

[Shell Beau]

17. Who could unrec this??

Asshole. Or a cat lover one.

[silverweb]

33. Not this cat lover!

I really think the "divide" between cat lovers and dog lovers is bogus.

There are many reasons a person would choose one over the other, often depending on their life circumstances (like me), but I have difficulty believing that a person can love dogs and actually despise cats -- or visa versa.

Whoever would unrec this thread is just a vindictive DU-hating troll, and is attempting to start trouble.

[Shell Beau]

42. Yeah because I am a dog person, but I love cats.

[silverweb]

68. And I'm a cat person...

... but I love dogs, too.

I'd have at least one dog if I could, right along with my cats, but a lot of landlords just don't allow them. They also have more requirements for appropriate living space, among other things.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

118. Heartily agree, Silver

I have 2 cats and a chihuahua - a trifecta of sweetness.

These videos are soooooo heartwarming. Dogs know.

K&R

[hamsterjill]

7. Heartwarming!!!!

Made my day a little better after watching this! Thanks.

[chill_wind]

8. Awww!!!!!! K & R.

eom

[SeattleGirl]

9. Those are great videos!

Got me all choked up, watching the dogs go crazy after not seeing their humans for so long.

[LakeSamish706]

10. That was awesome...

[SalviaBlue]

12. Wow. That made me cry. Thanks!!

recommended

[lukasahero]

14. Oh great - now I'm sitting here bawling

and I'm at work dammit!

Thank you for sharing. I'm sending this to everyone I know.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

15. Kick, Rec, sent to my hunny.

I think he'll like this. Thanks, xultar!

[Shell Beau]

16. That was wonderful! Thanks for that!

And Happy Veterans Day to the wonderful people who have and continue to serve this country.

[Arkansas Granny]

18. Those are great, but I couldn't watch them all. People look at you funny when you start

boo-hooing at your desk.

[Shell Beau]

26. The last one with the real children seeing their dads was the saddest/happiest.

[xultar]

31. I know. I had to break out the puffs.

[Arkansas Granny]

37. Oh, I didn't make it that far. I'll try to watch it later.

[Arugula Latte]

49. That little boy in the first clip really got me. His face ...

:cry:

[Shell Beau]

51. I know it. I was already all sappy because of the doggies. That

did me in!

[Libertas1776]

19. Oh my god...or should I say dog

that was so precious :loveya: Thanks for sharing. And of course...

Happy Veteran's Day :patriot:

[wryter2000]

20. K&R n/t

n/t

[eleny]

21. thanks!

[kid a]

22. K&R *teared up*

[whoneedstickets]

24. Where are the videos of Cats welcoming their returning soldiers?!

...nevermind...

:hide:

[LeftHander]

32. now now...cats know...

I divorced sometime ago and when I stop back at my ex's place for a visit I'm greeted warmly...and they require me to pet them a little....then they assume dominance and ignore me. Oh did I mention the cats...

lol

[silverweb]

69. See posts #23 and following.

Cats may appear less exuberant, but they have their own way of giving a loving welcome.

[gatorboy]

25. Heh! Those are great.

I miss my dog. :(

[Neecy]

27. Love it....

[LeftHander]

29. Sweet. The kids at the end put me over...interesting thing about the dogs..

They all have to lick and sniff the master's face...after they do that...then they stay down...and run back and forth and assume submission displays (on the back).


It is like the dogs are sure but then they confirm and are simply crazy with joy...

dogs..everything is so intense.

[havocmom]

67. Yep, the 'no jump' rule just has to bend for a spell

They have to breathe the air their masters exhale and taste it, don't they.

Passion. We should all try to have the passion of a dog now and then. Joy is a wonderful tonic. All those dogs looked like wiggly puppies. Glee can be contagious.

[rubberducky]

30. Well, that cleaned out my tearducts!

[HamdenRice]

38. delete wrong place

[xultar]

40. ...

:cry:

[HamdenRice]

34. You really shouldn't have posted that!

Too much doggy goodness in one place!

[arcadian]

35. How about some REAL journalism on the situation in Afghanistan?

[xultar]

39. How bout you take this snark and *$%&^^#&!*@&#^$*#!!!!!!

You want some go get some and post it.

But don't just stand around and shit and piss on everyone elses stuff.

[arcadian]

45. I just can't abide by fluff when REAL people are dying.

Civilians. Children. Dying.

[catbyte]

52. Lighten up

I didn't see it as "fluff". Those dogs were ecstatic to see their people and suffered their absence too. Why is a homecoming fluff video? It isn't all blood and guts all the time.

Diane

Anishnabe in MI

P.S. My 2 cats reacted differently to my 2-week absence. One got right in my face and screamed, while the other one subjected me to mild shunning, then threw up a hairball on the floor. She did cuddle after about an hour, though! :)

[xultar]

56. What the videos show is wars impact on our companion animals. But purist miss it because

they are too busy shitting on it.

[xultar]

54. Then abide in your own goddamned thread. Put me on ignore. So you don't have to

stomach my fucking fluffy ass.

[xultar]

55. Do you take bottles from babies and lecture them on world hunger? Sounds like

something you'd fucking do.

[arcadian]

57. You don't even know me.

And here you are cussing out a perfect stranger.

[xultar]

58. You come into a feel good thread and shit on it and get mad? Yes war sucks. Yes, this

is fucking fluff.

But can we just enjoy some shit without people bring it fucking down?


And I cuss all the goddamned time. It is what I do.

[arcadian]

59. So everybody has to conform to your idea of what is an appropriate response?

To something that you post? People post contrary stuff in my threads all the time.

[xultar]

61. Nope, but if someone posts a feel good thread and I don't agree, I stay away because people need

a little joy.

Life fucking sucks
The economy sucks
relationships suck
healthcare sucks
war sucks
housing sucks
education sucks
the climate sucks
work sucks
politicians suck


When someone can find a little joy who am I to take it from them. Joy, smiles, laughter, they are good for us human beings. We need it. The problem with today is there isn't enough joy and then people go shooting up office buildings, schools, army buildings. Murdering, raping,

WE NEED A LITTLE HAPPINESS now and then.

[tomm2thumbs]

117. U R Right - some folks simply have no tact

they like to come into a room when everyone else is painting the walls and start kicking over paint cans

your post was tremendous and I'm sharing with others -

:rofl:
always forgive the idiots - nothing annoys them so much

[barbtries]

144. i would like to recommend your post.

it's so true.

[baldguy]

159. .

[lukasahero]

60. It's not fluff

It's Veteran's Day for god sakes - while we mourn the loss of life, we should also celebrate lives that aren't lost. On this of all days, you posted well. Ignore this poster and focus on all of us who love that you shared this.

:hug:

[Ruby the Liberal]

76. Ignore the jerk. We honor service on Veterans Day.

Thank you for posting this WONDERFUL link. I have sent it to a bunch of people.

:hug:

[xultar]

82. You are welcome. Seeing the happiness in the Dogs was so cool. And the kids

at the end broke my heart.

[Ruby the Liberal]

85. I was misty through the dog vids, the reactions of the kids at the end

had tears streaming down my face.

I admit, I kept thinking about those who didn't have this chance. I want them all home NOW. I want to see thousands of vids like this with the title "now that the wars are over..."

[ProdigalJunkMail]

89. me too...my youngest daughter came to me and told me not to cry

and that it would be OK...and I said...for these people, it already is!

sP

[ProdigalJunkMail]

88. people coming home ALIVE to their FAMILIES is news too

what an ass you are proving to be...first you piss on something NICE for just about everyone on Veterans' Day and then act all righteous like you care more than anyone else...fuck off.

sP

[varelse]

99. The soldiers coming home are real people too (nt)

[Barack_America]

158. +1. That's the entire point right there. nt

[lyonn]

166. Look at it like therapy for the returning soldier

A sweet bite of reality - simplicity - accepting.......

[WolverineDG]

100. I am rec'ing your thread just for this response

:patriot:

You can kick my ass for doing so tomorrow. ;)

dg

[Chemisse]

64. Sure, it is important to see and discuss real war issues

But there is nothing wrong with seeing something as precious as this video.

[Kajsa]

175. How about some REAL understanding

about animals and their connections to humans?
( and visa-versa)

[ET Awful]

36. Hehehe great clips :).

I think if I was gone that long, my dog would forget who I was :P

[HamdenRice]

41. What's sad is dogs can't understand why you left. Calvin Trillin once wrote a poem about it

There was a short collection of poems about dogs by Trillin with photographs. I still remember one of the poems with a pic of a sad dog, that went something like this:

'Gone to college' is what they said,
For all I know, I think he's dead.

[leveymg]

43. I thank you and my dog thanks you. She came rushing down the steps and joined me on the couch when

she heard the excited dog yelps in the first couple videos.

We both enjoyed this. Welcome home and happy Veterans Day!

[WilliamPitt]

44. Holy shit, that crushed me.

Hoo.

:) :hug: :)

[lamp_shade]

46. THAT was a joy to watch. Thanks.

[Subdivisions]

47. Funny the things that're are so great they make you cry. =) Amazing how

loving a dog can turn grown men into little boys again.

Love it! And thanks for posting. :)

[graywarrior]

48. Awesome! ! ! !

[Botany]

53. Who izzz a good boy? Who is my best buddy?

Dogs rule.

We need all our troops home.

[Bryn]

62. Awwww that is sooooooo sweet

:loveya:

I have two dogs that I love.

[Uncle Joe]

63. That was most excellent.

Thanks for the thread, xultar.:) :thumbsup:

[havocmom]

65. Thank you, xultar, for posting this wonderful link

DU can always count on you to bring us food for the soul.

[Ruby the Liberal]

79. "food for the soul"

I hadn't heard that in a while. How appropos. I think many of us needed this. :)

[SoCalDem]

71. the pics of the cats welcoming them back would be hard to find

They would be of a cat's butt, as the cat slinked along a wall, looking haughtily over one shoulder, as if to say.."Oh..YOU again"..:rofl:


Dogs are so expressive when you come back..even if it's only a trip to the mailbox :)

When we got back from our Tahiti trip, our cats shunned us for about 3 days:)..(except for the food part)

[flvegan]

73. Agreed, a must see. Great post, thank you.

Add another rec to the list.

[we can do it]

74. My Big Kitty Does His Own Version If I am Out All Day, Pretty Much Every Day!

[onestepforward]

78. So Sweet! Thanks for posting! K&R

[Shagbark Hickory]

80. + a million if I could (+1 will have to do)

[Raine]

81. Aw gee those were 3 hankies

so touching, THANKS for posting that link.

[joeybee12]

83. Damn! My work computer is blocking this...bet they're great photos! n/t

[ThomCat]

84. Those are wonderful.

:)

Dogs are wonderful like that. If I was gone for a long time ours would greet me that way too, with long emotional greetings and lots of licking and need for hugs. They get very emotional if they miss you.

Cats miss you too, and they can be just as affectionate in showing it. But not quite as loud and frantic. :P

[Raffi Ella]

86. aw this made me cry.

Dogs truly are mans best friend. I can not imagine life without them.

Thanks Xultar~

and

HAPPY VETERANS DAY Y'ALL!

[ThatsMyBarack]

87. Those beagles are NUTZ!

Happy Veterans Day! :patriot:

[DearAbby]

90. Bawled like a baby...

[arthritisR_US]

91. Priceless! Thank you :-) n/t

[barbtries]

92. ahhh

:cry:

you stuffed up my nose.

[gratefultobelib]

93. Loved the videos. Thank you so much!

[proteus_lives]

94. Thank you for this.

This bearded, 6' foot, 210 pound man is holding back tears.

And don't pay any attention to the haters.

You have done DU a service today.

:pals:

[Bobbie Jo]

96. Recommended.

:kick:

[Are_grits_groceries]

97. Love the dawgs. Here is teh kitteh:

[seabeyond]

98. you made me cry... and cry and cry and cry. lol. the last one especially with the kids

favorite is the first dog one. dog is crying too.... lol

[MissDeeds]

101. Absolutely awesome

Happy tears here! Great to see on this Veteran's Day evening.

[mdmc]

102. :-(

bring em all home now safe please..

[Xicano]

104. Thanks xultar for posting this.

What a wonderful set of videos. Pets are so beautiful.

:)

[nadinbrzezinski]

105. When hubby got home from a Wespac I took Connie to the pier

She is a sun conure, a bird. The moment the parrot saw his head poke out of the hatch she screeched so loud that everybody turned around to stare at the young colorful parrot. She was oh so happy and she did not punish him either. She's sleeping as I type... it was great.

[NYC_SKP]

106. MUST SEE!!! Watch at least a little of each, please. The last one made me tear up...

K and R and much love and support to our soldiers.

:patriot:

[Are_grits_groceries]

107. And teh kittehs don't just welcome them home:

[OnyxCollie]

109. And teh puppehs, too.

[Auggie]

108. K&R, and a:

:cry:

Not often I do that

[earcandle]

110. Wow! Made me cry. We need more of this kind of coverage to make us whole again. IMNSHO!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

111. I love it!

Thanks for posting this.

[saracat]

112. Thank you. Tears are streaming down my face.Ican't stop crying.

this is a real celebration of life and I am so glad those soldiers got to come home. I love dogs and kitties both!

[Liberal_in_LA]

113. geez...do beagles always make that noise? Note to self...no beagles. lol

[erinlough]

116. They sure do!

I always thought of it as a sweet sound...my neighbors???? not so much. They only do it when their excited though, or hunting, or playing......

[Liberal_in_LA]

123. OMG. I'll never again complain about my cats mewling

[dgibby]

122. I have a Springer Spaniel mix.

I got him from the SPCA, but they didn't know what other breed he was, just that he wasn't purebred. When he started to "yodel", it was obvious the other half was Beagle!

[Liberal_in_LA]

124. Yodeling is a good description of it!

[rebel with a cause]

119. Okay, I cried.

for both the dogs and the kids in the videos. Of course, I cried for the dad's also.

As someone said up thread, my dogs (with whom I stay in the house with almost 24-7) greet me at the door whenever I go out even if it is for only a short time. Of course they are so old that their enthusiasm is not as active as these dogs but when they are able to one of them will then sit on my feet so I won't be able to leave them again. I just let them alone for a few minutes but a 70 lb dog gets heavy pretty quickly on my old feet. ;)

[BrklynLiberal]

120. I was bawling by the third one.....There is nothing like a happy dog greeting you.

I went on vacation once and left my dog for three weeks -with a friend who had 2 dogs...-...and when I came home, I thought he would crawl right inside me. It was obvious he thought he would never see me again. It made me feel so guilty about leaving him, that I never did it again.

[roguevalley]

121. I love the hounds. The weiners were awesome. Have that welcome

with three more and you have had my life.

[lukasahero]

137. The tail on the smaller Beagle did me in

I'm not sure I've ever seen anything move so fast. :)

[SoDesuKa]

125. Inappropriate

We don't belong in Afghanistan or in Iraq. We're not doing anything good or positive there.

Veteran's Day should not be exploited as a celebration of the military.

[Are_grits_groceries]

127. MEH!

This post is an expression of joy at soldiers coming home. That is something to be celebrated any day.

[renate]

150. what?

I don't think any of us would get misty over a video of Barney welcoming Bush home or of whatever dark familiar Cheney owns welcoming him home.

To me, these videos were a reminder of how much members of the military, and their families, sacrifice--they don't just risk their lives and endure difficult and uncomfortable conditions for months or years on end, they leave behind the joy of being with the people and pets that they love. Whether or not we belong in Afghanistan or Iraq is irrelevant to the emotions behind these videos--these service members give up a lot because of the flawed decisions of people sitting in comfortable offices wearing suits, and I think this is a poignant reminder of the heartbreaking sacrifices they and their families make.

[democracy1st]

126. K & R

[woo me with science]

128. Thank you! nt

[BigBearJohn]

129. Man! That video slayed me. So beautiful. Thanks for posting.

[old mark]

131. Rec'd. Thanks so much - I could watch only one of them - it made me cry.

Thanks.

mark

[Joe Bacon]

133. :-)

so good!

[Soylent Brice]

134. damn, how did i miss this yesterday!?!?

[WatchWhatISay]

142. Rox and I thank you.

We enjoyed watching that together.

[4_TN_TITANS]

143. This is awesome....

People can prepare their emotions for a family member to leave, come home, or never return. These clips show unplanned, expected, unprepared for joy!

Anyone who thinks that animals lack emotions is just ignorant.

[tblue37]

146. DADDY!DADDY! DADDY!DADDY!DADDY!

[Kajsa]

147. I have tears in my eyes,

laughing and smiling while I watch every reunion.

This is so great!

I love dogs, cats and all critters.

Thanks so much for sharing this!!

:) :hi:

[Number9Dream]

148. Thank You

Passed the link along to others.

[GoldenOldie]

153. This is Much, Much more than "fluff," to a returning combat soldier

It has been proven that interaction with a pet lowers the blood pressure, relieving anxiety. Anyone who has had a loved one return from combat, knows that their return to family and civilian life is not an easy time. They are conflicted with the love of their family and friends and the memories that are not to be forgotten (PTSD). Family and friends maybe nervous, fearful, in attempts to protect. A beloved pet, be it a dog, cat, bird, horse, etc., without any expectations, only elated to have his or her master once again beside them.

And those that may not be familiar with the newest program, the medical use of service dogs for soldiers returning with severe wounds and PTSD. It costs close to $26,000 to train one dog and that cost alone tells us very few wounded warriors will obtain one. I know that my grandson's dog Ginger, has given him comfort when combat memories/nightmares overtake him. He and his unit are now awaiting to hear what Obama's Afghanistan plan is as they were scheduled to re-deploy in December. I know that Ginger is always close by with Nick's hand upon her body......both comforting one another.

[Number9Dream]

179. Reply doesn't seem to fit?

I don't see how your reply follows a thank you to xultar, but I agree with you 100%.

[Jankyn]

151. This is why dogs are the best.

Can you believe the way those two beagles are braying? OMG. I love dogs.

[negativenihil]

154. How wonderful!

These videos really made me smile and tear up just a little ;) Also made me miss all my prior dogs and well made me give some super extra love to my pair of cats heh

[DWilliamsamh]

160. I know I am harshing your mellow....but...

People aren't the "parents" of dogs. Dogs are wonderful expressive animals and I love them. But they aren't children and we aren't their parents. Don't like the word "owner?" Fine. They our our loving and beloved companions....but not our kids. Sorry - just a peeve of mine.


And YESSSS!! The videos are heartwarming and WONDERFUL. Dogs are TEH AWESUM! I am glad for the soldiers and their special friends that they made it back safe to all their loved ones.

[InvisibleTouch]

162. Well, mine are my kids. n/t

[DWilliamsamh]

165. Really? You or your female SO gave birth to them? Anotther human female bore them?

And before you talk about adoption as another way of having children....DOGS aren't children. Neither are cats. They aren't human. Love them all you want. They love you back. But they aren't children. There are in fact differences between human children and animal companions.

[InvisibleTouch]

171. Yes, adoption is a valid comparison.

You don't have to be a biological parent to be a parent. If it offends you that some of us can feel parental toward a wide variety of species, rather than merely being limited to one, then the problem is yours. You can feel that way, of course. But you won't change how others feel by trying to force us to use the terminology that you prefer.

[DWilliamsamh]

173. True.... but maybe you will think about the trivialization of ACTUAL children

Not to mention the difficulties of raising actual children who grow into adult human beings who go out into the world and effect it in ways animals do not. What effect do you think it has on REAL children, who reach sexual maturity in an atmosphere where raising children is equated with having a dog? Do you think it might be possible that they will have a distorted idea of the responsibilities and pit falls of actual parenthood? I'm just saying. Parenting kids and having a dog (or any other animal) are such completely different things that it is just stupid to call those relationships by the same names.

OF COURSE you are free to call it what ever you want. Just as I am free to point out the problematic nature of your (and others) chosen nomenclature.

[Kurovski]

163. Dogs know happy!

:D

[sonias]

164. Made my heart smile!

:loveya: sweet puppies!

Sonia

[la_chupa]

167. that is fantastic n/t

[Politicub]

168. Darn it! There you go making me cry

I love dogs and their unbridled enthusiasm.

[WoodyD]

169. Darn this post . . .

it seems to have put something in my eyes. Must be dust or allergies or something. Let's hope that ALL dogs, cats, pets, kids, spouses, parents and loved ones are welcoming their veterans home SOON.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

170. Sorry I missed this yesterday.. THANKS for posting! It's always a celebration to bring our

service men and women home.

Let's hope they all get to come home soon.





Oh, and I LOVE doggies!

[freakydeeky]

172. why dogs are better than cats:) and down with sf

damn sf and their declaw ban moral hysteria crusade bs.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

174. Dogs are not better than cats, they are just different.

And what does SF's "moral hysteria" about declawing have to do with this thread? (Declawing is illegal in most civilized countries anyhow.)

[Kajsa]

178. Thank you, Velveteen Ocelot.

I couldn't agree more,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6992696&mesg_id=6998857