Finally sorted an avatar out.

[gilders]

Always nice to put a face to a name (or my dog's face in this case).

It is said that people choose animals like themselves and Mya (on the right) is no exception. She has a little bit of a look of me with her dark wavey/curly hair with a bit of grey in it. But it is her health that is so like mine. She also has my personalty, she loves her food, likes her own space when she's feeling down, but has a heart of gold and is very loyal. She's really laid back, but on her good days suddenly shows her old puppy self and likes to have fun.
By the way, she is a Kerry Blue Terrier, although you'd struggle to guess from the photo as she was having a bad hair day.

Kez, on the left, although is my dog, is much like my wife (who she has bonded the most with). She is a firey redhead. She is the most loving dog, but we've really struggled to socialise her with other dogs (not that I'm saying my wife can't socialise). She is actually an insecure dog which means that she will either "fight or flight". Unfortunately it's usually wanting to fight (cars, pedal bikes, other dogs, cats). Given the chance to be off her lead where she knows she can run away from another dog she is fine and plays well with dogs. But on her lead she tries to warn other dogs to stay away by going a bit crazy.
She is a working strain Lakeland Terrier. As these breeds were bred to kill (foxes, badgers, rats) it's no surprise she has her "attitude"

Mya is due back at the vets on Wednesday to have more lumps removed and most of her tail that has a huge growth. They have always been benign growths/lumps, but there's always the risk of them turning malignant.

She never seems to go a few months without a new health issue, much like me.

[Alysia]

Hi Gillders,
I wrote it in another thread where I first saw your new avatar. congratulations for it.
it is nice to learn about you through Mya. I hope both of you can relax from health issues and enjoy each other.
our pets are so significant for us.
here is a photo of the "original" alysia (one of my cats). I hope I can attach the pic.

[NikkiNicole]

Dogs are the best!!!!!!! My Loki is the most stubborn dog. However, I've heard that Pembroke Welsh Corgis are extremely smart which leads to their stubbornness. He knows what he is supposed to do, just doesn't want to do it most of the time.
He is also VERY attached to me. We got him in July and I stayed home for a month on vacation with him. And then, I got sick at the end of December and was pretty much at home hanging out with him until May. So ... we bonded and he is very attached. He will bypass my husband and run right for me if he see us. He lays on me, snuggles with me, etc. With hubby, it's all about playing. He wrestles with hubby because he knows he cant' with me.
I love them. He's my kid.

[gilders]

He is also VERY attached to me. We got him in July and I stayed home for a month on vacation with him. And then, I got sick at the end of December and was pretty much at home hanging out with him until May. So ... we bonded and he is very attached. He will bypass my husband and run right for me if he see us. He lays on me, snuggles with me, etc. With hubby, it's all about playing. He wrestles with hubby because he knows he cant' with me.
I love them. He's my kid.

Sounds like you have the same relationship with Loki as my wife does with Kez. Kez also see me as her wrestling partner, much like Loki sees your hubby. I can manage the odd wrestling match with her. The times she hurts me is when I'm moving my foot without realising and she'll pounce on it. She realises she's hurt me and dives at my face to give me kisses (usually causing more pain in my nose). Mya slowly looks up at her, grunts as if to say "Stupid dog" then goes back to sleep.

Dogs really are the best. Before my grandad died he had Parkinsons and his dementia had become so bad he rarely recognised family. But when I used to take my previous dog with me (Marcus) on visits, he brightened up, became alert and never forgot Marcus' name!

[gilders]

Hi Gillders,
I wrote it in another thread where I first saw your new avatar. congratulations for it.
it is nice to learn about you through Mya. I hope both of you can relax from health issues and enjoy each other.
our pets are so significant for us.
here is a photo of the "original" alysia (one of my cats). I hope I can attach the pic.

Yes we can see your cat. She/he looks like a cat I had has a child. She always climbed the trees in the woods in front of our house. One day somebody must have seen her at the top of the tree and reported it. I'd noticed some ladders appear then a yellow helmet - it was a fireman. My cat was always climbing the tree and I wasn't concerned. I was right not to be concerned as when the fire man reached the top of the tree and reached out to her, she took a swipe at his hand, ran down his back, down the tree and sat on our garden wall scowling at the poor helpful fireman.
I was too embarrassed to call her back into the house and kept away from the windows.