We love our pets. They bring us so much joy. There’s a reason why our social media feeds are full of our friend’s dogs doing funny, weird, and memorable things. These pictures are snapshots of moments with our pets but they mean so much more.
For National Dog Day (August 26) and Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day (August 28), the team behind Sassie’s New Home and Albright Creative wanted to share our own memories and stories. One day, our pets will no longer be here, but these cherished memories live on. In this way, they will always be with us each time we share their quirks and how much they loved us.
Why do you and/or your family love dogs?
“They bring joy and unconditional love to our lives. And they are quirky just like me.”
–Erin Albright, Author
“I got my first fur-baby, Coco Bean, for companionship. My hubby is a very busy person and was in a band at the time, along with working full time, so I wanted a dog to cuddle and play with. We always had family dogs growing up, but they were always larger dogs, so I was excited when I moved out and got my own apartment where I could get a small lapdog. After we had Coco Bean for a few years and moved into a house, we decided it was time for Coco to have a friend, and so we got our Evie. Both dogs are miniature Aussiedoodles and I’m obsessed with the breed!”
–Kenzie Smoot, Designer
“Oh my goodness, I LOVE dogs. I often say that I like dogs more than people. They are so loving and loyal.”
–Jill Olson, WordPress VA
What is the best thing about dogs?
“They can really lift your spirits and turn your day around for the better! They’re just so innocent and I truly believe that dogs are angels and we are so lucky to have them in our lives.”
–Kenzie Smoot, Designer
“They just want to be loved and they give love back in a most unconditional way. They are companions, great listeners, and usually epic snugglers.”
–Jill Olson, WordPress VA
“Dogs live moment to moment. They don’t think about the future like we do. It makes me want to be more present with them and give them love.”
–Max Sheffield, Copywriter
“Their enthusiasm. Enthusiastically wagging their tail whenever I walk in the door (even if I just ran out to grab something from my car and come right back). Their enthusiastic kisses and affection. Dogs are so enthusiastic and heartfelt in everything they do.”
–Erin Albright, Author
Funny Dog Stories from the Team
“When I was a kid, we had a long-haired dachshund. We had the kind of car (at the time) that when you pushed down the driver’s side door lock, the whole car locked. My dad took our dog to the car wash and she was so excited by the water hitting the window that she started pawing at it. My dad thought that was hilarious and started spraying the water directly onto the window to get her riled up. She got excited and pawed at the driver’s window and hit the driver’s door lock and the entire car locked. My dad had left the keys inside the car as well. So he was locked out and had to tell everyone in the car wash line behind him that his dog locked him out of his car. He then had to wait for my mom and I to get there and unlock the car.”
–Erin Albright, Author
“Two days a week, my doggies go to “doggy daycare” at their great grandma’s and they are always getting into mischief and have the best time. I remember the first day we brought Coco to grandma, Coco was such a tiny puppy, grandma put her in a basket full of toys. Her very first toy was two socks that grandma knotted together, so now we call Coco the “sock demon” because she has sock rage and tries to bite my socks when I take them off my feet. Thanks for that, grandma! Grandma also taught Coco how to pull weeds from the garden. So, if you point to a plant in the garden, Coco will attack it.”
–Kenzie Smoot, Designer
“I had a toy poodle named Smokey when I was in my early twenties. I lived with a boyfriend who had a cat named Tig, short for Tigger. They both loved to go for walks. We would walk them both without a leash in our subdivision. When Smokey would start to run too far ahead, Tig would chase him down and herded him to come back to the group. It was hilarious to see.”
–Max Sheffield, Copywriter
“Whenever our dog Bella is frightened she jumps right up onto my lap and turns her head away from whatever she is afraid of so that “they can’t see her”. She also stomps her feet at me if I am late for her mid-day treat. “
–Jill Olson, WordPress VA
Fun Tidbits About Our Dogs
“Coco Bean trained herself how to use the litter box.
Evie lays on the window sills like a cat and uses her paws to play with toys just like a cat does – lots of swatting.
They both have some funny cat characteristics!”
-Kenzie Smoot, Designer
“As an adult, I’ve had four different rescue dogs, Max, Murphy, Jack, and Teddy. All of them have passed away now except for my current pooch, Teddy. Each one of them was so individual and I think about Max, Murphy, and Jack a lot. It is a great honor to have the love of a dog and a big part of loving dogs is knowing that they won’t always be around. Enjoy them while you have them. And notice the little things they do. Having them in our lives gives us reason to smile.”
–Erin Albright, Author
“She’s a precious mini golden doodle named Bella.”
–Jill Olson, WordPress VA
“My first dog was a Schipperke named Bear. They are on the smaller end, around 18 pounds, with a little nub for a tail which is why we named him Bear. They were bred in Belgium to live on boats and chase away rats. In fact, the name ‘Schipperke’ means ‘little captain.”
–Max Sheffield, Copywriter
Creating Memories with Our Furry Friends
When it comes time to say goodbye to our pets, it helps to bring to mind the fun and happy memories we associate with them. Having times to reminisce can help with the processing of grief, but it’s also important to celebrate our beloved pets while they’re still here with us. For an interesting book on spending time creating memories with your dog, check out Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List.
Do you have any funny or interesting stories about your own pets to share? Comment on our Facebook or Instagram with your pictures and stories.