Oh yes, I talk to my dogs all the time. And Debra, I talk to my deaf cat too! When people ask me why, I tell them she reads lips. =)

I always sing to my dogs too. I have been singing to Rocky and Chloe for years, so their used to it. But when I first got Gracie and would sing to her, she would look at me like I was a fruit loop and walk away (apparently shelter dogs don't get sung to very often ). Now, however when I sing to her, her face lights up and her tail gets a going and she just loves it!

We also play peek-a-boo with Rocky. We cover his eyes w/ our hands and say "Where's Rocky?" Then uncover his eyes and say "THERE HE IS!" OMG he gets so excited.

Don't think I saw this one yet, you might be a dog lover if: You have more dog meds on your counter that people meds...

 You know where the envelope is with your dogs hair after they die, but you don't know where or if you still have your kids first hair cut

 You spend an hour making steps out of hay bales so your dog can climb into the mow after surgery

I'm just reading this entire thread and have to say how much I enjoyed this - everyone's comments made me smile and laugh.  This is so great!   I love this so here's mine:

You know you are a dog lover when you call your dog every kind of cutesy name ending in poo.

You know you are a dog lover when you've traveled and then  come home only to say how much you missed your dogs first and then realize that you should have said how much you missed your husband first - oops! 

Best of all, you know you are a dog lover when your spouse and friends say that when they come back in another life, they want to be your dog.  I kind of feel like that's the most complimentary thing that anyone could ever say to me.   

Nicole, what a great thread.  Ge'Lena - I love this new avatar! 

Kami, Angel M and Kobe

I am reading a book titled, Born to Bark by Stanley Coren.  There is a quote in it that I love by a nineteenth century poet, philosopher, and politician Alphonse De Lemartine, "When a mans in trouble, God sends him a dog."

I think this is so true!

I used to work in the mortgage field, I made great money and spent it as fast as I could make it.  My hours were crazy and I was rarely at home.  I had ambitions of grandeur.  I wanted to have lots of stuff.  Now, thanks to my Sammy and crew, I love being at home, watching sunsets, and living in the moment.  I have learned to live on less stress, less money, less time lines.

My home isn't glamorous, it is dog friendly.  My clothes are color coordinated for my dogs too, and all are based on comfort level and clean-ability.  My idea of the "American dream" has changed, I am no longer chasing it, but I am living it.  Whatever your dream is, I think it is good.  For me, I am balanced by my dogs.  They don't care what I drive or what I wear.  My husband and I have had a change of heart.  Our best moments are laughing about something our dogs have done.  They have made us a real family.

According to this book, a scientific survey was published in 1990's and found that it is emotionally healthy to talk to your dogs, and that 96 % of dog owners do it.  Even including question and answer dialogs.

Ask Sammy, he will be glad to tell you anything you may want to know.  Did you know for instance that a dog with an average doggie IQ understands 250 words? This according to a recent news report.

Me, I know I am a dog lover… because I traded in my subaru outback which was my favorite car ever because my mastiff was claustrophobic in it.  Now, I drive a much more expensive Tribeca which doesn't do as well on gas mileage but has slobber permanently glued to the back doors and windows.

Elizabeth and Sammy

Oh my gosh!  I just saw this.  So hilarious! and so true..

You know you're a dog lover when…

- you have more pictures of your dogs on your digital frame at work than your own son.    (I have to admit I'm ashamed about this one.  But in my defense my son hates cameras and my dogs love them!  And there's only one son and three dogs) 

- You walk in the living room and see the dogs have taken up all the seats so you sit on the floor!    or

- Your husband comes in the living room and sees there are no seats left and instead of letting him make the dogs get in the floor you pull an 85 lb dog onto your lap to make room.

- When all your coworkers are telling stories of their weekend bar hopping fun on Monday morning and you respond with "yeah, but my dog…"

- You make sure you go to bed at least 30 minutes before your husband so you can have snuggle time with the pups.  (there's a strict no dogs in the bed rule when we are sleeping.  part of me hates it, but part of me is grateful that this is one thing my husband insists on because I have to admit I sleep much better when I'm not having to try to fit in the empty spaces left by the dogs, and I don't have the heart to kick them out.)

- You pay good money to have an insulated dog house built, but end up letting the dogs stay in the house while you're gone anyway because it's just too cold for a dog…even in an insulated house!

- You feed your dogs before yourself (Just did this tonight actually.  I was starving, my husband brought in pizza and the dog food.  I took the time to fix the dog food before taking a bite of that wonderful smelling pizza.  Hey, their dinner was TWO HOURS LATE!!)

- Installation of the new wood floors that you love and have saved up for for years are postponed indefinitely because the little stray that stole your heart wouldn't be able to get around on them. 

Just like all of you, we all talk to our dogs.  And they very well know what's going on!  And YES! they do listen better than the hubby at least half the time.  But as much as I love my dogs I can't let them take food out of my mouth or get close to my food.  I'm weird about that.  But I'm one of those people who won't even drink after my own kiddo.

Ooh, ooh, I thought of another one.  Since we just celebrated Roxy's 11 month ampuversary this week:

- when you and your spouse have decided that birthdays, valentine's day and such are really no big deal, but the monthly anniversary of your dog's surgery always gets a big celebration!!

You know you're a dog lover when....

-You and your S/O decide it's time to have a baby and instead of immediately rushing to the baby store to ooh and ahh at baby stuff, or worrying about finances and saving up, you rush to the petstore and buy waaay too many toys because secretly you feel a little bit guilty for bringing in a new memeber and feel sad for the dogs.  

-You put off having children until the dogs are of a certain age, but still young enough to 'grow up' with your first born at the very least.  

-When people come over and get covered in hair, you don't apologize at all or feel embarrassed about all the hair.  There are many lint rollers in the cupboard they can use if they don't feel the hair compliments their outfit that day. 

 -When you leave a blanket on the couch, NOT to save the couch from animal hair, but because your beagle likes to nest UNDER blankets and even though you 'don't allow' dogs on the furniture, you know she will get up there if there is a blanket and you're not home/in the room. Said couch under the blanket is covered in saliva stains because the beagle drools and suckles in her sleep.

-You can justify spending $15 on a toy that will get wrecked in an hour but will bring lots of enjoyment. But opt for the cheap less flavorful coffee because $15 is just too expensive for a can of coffee that will last a month!  

-You rebuild your entire deck because you don't think it's safe as is for your tri-pawd, even though it was $$$$ and probably just fine the way it was.