Golden Retriever Grew Up With Stuffed Animal And Refuses To Go Anywhere Without It
Please SHARE to pass on this story to a friend or family member:
It’s not uncommon for children to become very attached to stuffed animals that loved ones have gotten for them. Oftentimes, kids won’t go anywhere without their favorite toy, and some aren’t even able to fall asleep unless their toy is in their arms.
The same goes for Barley, a one-year-old Golden Retriever living in Amsterdam, who refuses to go anywhere without his stuffed dog Fluffy.
Barley’s owner, Zita Butler, bought the stuffed animal for Barley as a welcome home gift when they first adopted him.
Butler hoped Barley would like his new toy, but she had no idea just how much he would actually like it. Wherever Barley is, Fluffy is right there with him. Whether it’s walking around the house or going for a walk outside, Barley has Fluffy in his mouth.
Stay for one more story:
12 Things You’re Doing That Your Dog Hates:
For most people, dogs are not just our pets, they are our family members. When you bring a dog into your life, things just seem to get a lot more exciting. There’s few things that are better than coming home after a long day of work and having your beloved furbaby happily greet you at the door. While we love our pups and they love us back unconditionally, there are a few “annoying habits” that our dogs may not really like.
Here are 12 pet peeves that many dogs have, according to Bright Side:
Hugging- While it’s hard to resist giving our pups a big squeeze, many dogs feel restricted and consider it a controlling act.
Using words more than body language- Of course, dogs can understand a select few words, but we all know that they can’t comprehend every single thing we are saying. Because of this, dogs tend to watch our body language to understand what we are trying to tell them.
Patting their heads– Similar to the hugging, many dogs don’t like when their personal space is invaded. Most would prefer being pet on their back or even scratched behind their ears.
Keeping eye contact– Looking straight into a dog’s eyes without blinking, especially a dog you don’t know, may come across as an act of assertion or dominance. If you’re meeting a new dog for the first time, it’s important not to make strong eye contact right off the bat.
a
Lacking rules and structure- Since it’s not always easy for dogs and humans to communicate with each other with words, it’s important for them to have rules and structure so that they can feel more comfortable in a routine and have trust in you.
Keeping them on a tight leash- If you hold the leash too tightly, it can make the pup feel stressed or uneasy.
a
Not letting them explore and smell- The majority of dogs love to see the world around them instead of being cooped up inside all day. They enjoy sniffing around and visiting new places. Keeping them inside and not letting them explore could make them feel depressed or isolated.
Forcing them to interact with dogs/people they don’t like- Putting your dog in an uncomfortable position can end up badly for either them, or for the dog/person that they feel uncomfortable around. Even if your dog is not aggressive, they may act in a defensive manner if they’re forced to be near someone they don’t want to interact with.
Being tense- Pets are very good at sensing our moods and feelings, so if we are tense and stressed, our dogs may start to feel that way too.
Being boring- Dogs are energetic, playful animals and love to have some excitement in their lives. They can feel lonely easily if left home alone all day, so it’s important to show them attention and play with them whenever you get the chance.
a
Exposing them to strong smells- A dog’s smell is nearly 40 times greater than ours, so certain fragrances like air fresheners or cleaning sprays that may not affect us, could really bother them. Make sure to keep things like this a good distance from them.
Bathing them- While not all dogs dread bath time, many of them do. Using a slip-resistant mat at the bottom of the tub could help them feel more comfortable. The temperature of the water should be lukewarm, not too hot and not too cold.
Of course, our dogs will love us unconditionally no matter what, but paying attention to the things that bother them could help strengthen the relationship you share with them even more!
Stay for one more STORY!
12 Things People Do That Annoy The Heck Out Of Dogs: ( Your dog will THANK YOU! )
Even the biggest dog lovers sometimes do things that annoy their beloved pups. You might immediately think of bathtime (although some dogs love that), but there are other things humans do that dogs wish you would stop. What one dog may love another dog may loathe. Here are 12 things people do that dogs want you to stop right NOW!
1) Not Letting Me Sniff On A Walk
Whose walk is it anyway? Imagine you are reading the daily news or favorite website and someone snatches it away. When dogs aren’t allowed to sniff on a walk, that’s what it feels like. Take your dog’s lead and slow down to let him enjoy life. And while you’re at it, stop to smell the roses too!
Source: SneakyGrace/Flickr
2) Petting Me Without Asking
Imagine walking down the street and a random stranger approaches you and starts hugging you close. That’s what uninvited petting feels like to a dog. Always ask before petting someone’s dog no matter how friendly he appears.
Source: Scott 97606/Flickr
3) Spanking Me
Putting your hands on a dog as a form of punishment is not only wrong but harmful to the relationship. If you know someone who hits their dog without injury, encourage them to work with a positive reinforcement behaviorist. Abuse should always be reported to the proper animal control authorities immediately.
Source: Donna (bratli)/Flickr
4) Leaving Me Alone For Long Periods Of Time
A large percentage of dog moms and dads reading this work outside the home. A pet sitter, doggie daycare, or a security system are all viable options to prevent pet theft. If your dog must be alone, consider having someone stop in to check on him, take him out, and spend time playing in your absence.
Source: nishiki419/Flickr
5) Making Me Wear Clothes
Functional clothes that keep dogs warm are practical and necessary, so be sure to get your dog used to them slowly with encouragement. Dogs who are miserable getting dressed up for social media photos don’t have the ability to tell you that they want to rip your head off. So just be aware that playing dress-up is more for you than it is for them.
Source: Ellen Soohoo/Flickr
6) Getting Into A Staring Contest With Me
In the dog world, dominance within the pack gets established with eye contact. Staring for long periods of time at your dog – or any dog – is a big no-no. Even the friendliest of dogs may snap or bite if they feel threatened.
Source: kindled1/Flickr
7) Pulling Me By The Collar When Walking
Pulling on a dog’s collar while out for a walk can cause serious damage. This includes harm to a dog’s skin, muscles, joints, vertebrae, intervertebral disks, or other structures in the neck. Some dogs may even wind up at the vet suffering from a collapsed windpipe. SO BE CONSIDERATE!
Source: John Haggar/Flickr
8) Teasing Me
Barking at a dog, pulling at its tail, or taunting them is a sure-fire way to upset a dog or worse. Dogs often snap or bite when they are afraid, defensive, or they feel threatened. Play nice and always supervise your dog around smaller children.
Source: Jackie Ramo/Flickr
9) Causing Me An Emergency Vet Visit
Caring dog parents don’t do it on purpose, but feeding a dog foods that are high in fat or not appropriate can lead to gastric distress, pancreatitis, or worse. No one wants to rush their dog to the emergency vet, so keep the table scraps to a minimum.
Source: Christine Lynch/Flickr
10) Getting Upset When I Pee In The House
Often times, dog owners will yell at a dog for peeing in the house while they were away. Dogs have no idea why you are yelling, considering they are super happy to see you return. If your dog is peeing indoors, be sure nothing medical is happening and seek help from a positive reinforcement behaviorist if it continues.
Source: Jen Ortiz/Flickr
11) Expecting Me To Read Your Mind
If you want a dog to learn something, take the time to patiently show him what you want. Practice training in short 10-minute segments. Take breaks and always end on a happy note. This strengthens the bond with your dog and makes for an overall happy pet.
Source: Happy At Last/Flickr
12) Forgetting To Get Me Medical Care
That little bump on my skin may seem innocent, but it could be serious. That cough I’ve had for a few days might be allergies, but it could be something else. Never hesitate when it comes to your dog’s well-being. When in doubt, always call your pup’s veterinarian.
Source: EX22218 – ON/OFF/Flickr
Feature Photo: Marijke Mooy/Flickr