By Anna Chisholm
Has a pet ever changed your life?
Phoebe Thorburn recently wrote about their experience of committing to a big dog breed, after yearning for canine companionship.
This is what you had to say about what your own big dogs and how pets have impacted your life.
Big dogs worth the ‘terrible childhood and adolescence phases’
Many of you said the bigger breeds were worth a bit of extra effort.
After four bigger dogs — over 30 years — I can confidently say that they are brilliant after four years of age and so worth the perseverance that Phoebe is showing. — Jennifer
I fully understand the terrible childhood and adolescence phases, but adulthood is a dream. I wish people could understand this. In my dad’s retirement village, they could have dogs “no bigger than handbag size”.
Whenever I would visit there was constant yapping from some unit or other. Hardly peaceful living. I often couldn’t find our big dog in our own house. He’d be laid quietly somewhere. Rarely even a bark. — Marje
Fantastic once he grew up and stopped chewing everything and getting into mischief. — John
We had an Irish wolfhound and for two years … no amount of training helped [control his behaviour]. Then, it’s as if someone flicked a switch and he became the most loving, well-behaved dog. His name was Fingal and we’d love to give him one more hug — Jacki
‘Wonderful’ for mental health
Greyhounds and their laziness — despite a propensity for zoomies — were just one of the breeds that got a special mention.
I have two rescue greyhounds and have had the breed as pets for the last 15 years. They are a wonderful dog to have for your mental health. They lie on the couch and just want to be near you, with bursts of energy and zoomies in between. I’ve always loved bigger dogs, but we don’t have the space for very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. — Michele
[I have] always owned little dogs. Last year we adopted a large retired male greyhound. We can’t leave food on the edge of the bench in case he feels snacking, but I would definitely recommend a greyhound to anyone. They are the loveliest breed of dogs and really low maintenance — Jenna
My greyhound may eat like a horse, but definitely not a high-energy dog that requires a lot of space like people think! She’s happy with the occasional walk and backyard zoomies. — Chloe
‘Gentle giants’
Big dogs are the best. Gentle giants. Especially when you have invested the time to train them and really understand and know them, but their short life spans are absolutely heart-breaking. — Theresa
We have a 43-kilogram Swiss shepherd. He’s looks like a wolf and eats like one, too. He is the most challenging dog I’ve ever had the privilege of having. His hair sheds and invades every square inch of our home and cars, but he is my heart.
Fiercely loyal and protective, he is a happy joyful soul, and worth every single penny we spend on him. When he jumps on the bed or on the couch and this huge fluffy bear of an animal plonks down beside you and puts his head on your lap or your arm and snuggles in, there’s no feeling like it. — Suzanne
Rescuing a rabbit and a clowder of cats
Some of you shared your less conventional pathways to pet parenthood.
I now have a new love: a rescue rabbit. Running wild on the streets of a small coastal town, my daughter successfully captured the emaciated and scarred rabbit. She had been running wild for months, and was probably dumped, as efforts to locate an owner were fruitless. Called Bon Bon, she is now calm, rotund, playful, and very loving. She has taught me never to underestimate even the small creatures of the world.
She roams my large studio vigilantly, disliking too much change, giving new objects a disdainful shove and in extreme cases a resounding thump. Who knew rabbits are so sociable and personable? I didn’t. – Danja
Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts. Some comments have been edited for clarity and brevity.