Bob is a five-year-old Frenchie who was purchased from a local breeder at 16 weeks of age. He’s lived the life of luxury: always a full belly, the best toys, lots of friends (dogs and humans) and the softest beds. He stars in a TV commercial and appears on a highway banner in Los Angeles. Nothing but the best for this guy. He’s grown to be handsome, smart, confident and independent.

Bear is an eight year (estimated) chocolate Cocker Spaniel. His first three years were pretty rough as he was abused, neglected and finally discovered tied to a tree and rescued. He went through three adopted homes because his fear and separation anxiety were misunderstood. We were his fourth and final home. Although the separation anxiety is gone, he still fears riding in the car and never lets me out of his sight. He’s not the brightest, which may have been mistaken for stubbornness, but he’s handsome, loyal, protective yet very co-dependent.

Is Bear more appreciative than Bob?

Car rides:

• Bear pants and trembles, rarely relaxes. He has bad car memories.
• Bob gazes out the window or sleeps.

Dad doing yard duties:

• Bear never lets me out of his sight, gets beneath me or in front of me and protects me from the lizards.
• Bob sleeps in the house.

Treat distribution:

• Bear is always appreciative.
• Bob looks as if he’s saying, “Is that it?”

Meals:

• Bear inhales his food as if it’s his last meal.
• Bob takes his time and is occasionally finicky.

TV time:

• Bear watches me, follows me into the kitchen or bathroom. He doesn’t ask for affection; just needs to be in the same room with me.
• Bob sleeps, sometimes on me. This is the only time Bob demands my affection.

Meeting other dogs:

• Bear loves all dogs.
• Bob is too good for other dogs and lets them know it.

Meeting humans:

• Bear does not trust people, especially men.
• Bob LOVES all humans, never met a bad one yet.

In Conclusion

Dogs show appreciation by protecting and loving. My boys show both equally but different. Bear protects and loves out of fear from his past and fear of losing his new secure world. Bob protects and loves because HE owns ME and he’s the only one good enough for me. Either way, it’s equally wonderful being “dad” to these two, very different yet loving companions.

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