384 Awesome Dog Animations

It has always been, and will forever be, a strange thing to me that there are actually people who prefer cats over dogs, including my two daughters. Having grown up around pooches their preference puzzles me. 

Perhaps it's the mystery of the feline that attracts — their aloofness, their grace and agility, their insouciant response to  humans.  While they might be the most elegant of pets,  they seem to me to lack the personality of their canine counterparts.  Sure, kittens are cute and can be quite playful, but there's a dignity to their demeanour that precludes the same kind of shenanigans that made them so endearing.

Dogs on the other hand have personality out the wazoo. It's not beneath them to be foolish right up to the end. When they're pleased they show it with full abandon.  Our Ani, even when stricken with cancer, still did the happy dance whenever someone, friend or stranger, showed up at the door.  On the last day of her life, my husband and I took her out for a walk, and despite pain and discomfort she frolicked like a child let loose outdoors after a week of rain.

Dogs can be full of charm and crazy antics.  Our puggle neighbour has a yen for hot dogs and loves to bob for treats. My niece's golden has never met a stick it didn't hate.  Seeing one he launches an attack that rivals a mixed martial arts display. Then there is the office mascot here is a big baby of a golden, who just happens to be a huge fan of movies and TV. Provided there are no wild animals or bad guys, that is.

So, while cats are enigmatic, dogs are, to me,  all of the things you want in a friend — loyalty, unconditional love, devotion and fun.  They are animated, full of personality and movement.  Just like this great collection from  AnimationFactory.

4 Clipart Collections of Dogs

They are the loyalist of friends. They protect us, comfort us — and fetch our slippers.   It is for these qualities that so many choose them as pets.  And while everyone has their favourite breed, generally dog lovers appreciate them all from Dane to Yorkie. 

Personally,  I've never cared whether or not I could actually determine what breed of dog I  have. I've always owned mutts and I rather like their mix of traits, which often results in a lot of personality.

That my first pup didn't turn me off dogs forever is a testament I suppose to how much I like them. Tiny was a chihuahua-fox terrier amalgam that we inherited from a cousin who couldn't handle him. Besides erupting in vicious barks and snarls when anyone came near, he also had a penchant for snapping at petting hands. Insisting upon sleeping under my bedcovers, and at seven who was I to argue, he frequently awakened me with sharp teeth on toes when my feet had strayed too close.

Nasty little critter though he was, he someone managed to steal my heart, curling up on my lap as I sat on the floor watching TV, sharing an ice-cream cone on family road trips,  or just being around when I felt alone.  Somehow I came to accept that his feisty personality was not a reflection of his feelings towards me, but more an attitude.

He was followed by Skipper,  a gorgeous Samoyed-collie cross; Freakie, a licking loving bundle of hound and something;  Angie my most perfect, a faithful and gentle German Shepherd-collie; the rough, roaming Buffy,  whose border collie mother had a one-night stand with, of all things, a cocker spaniel and finally my beautiful, protective Ani, the result of a Siberian husky in heat jumping a fence.

They were all wonderfully perfect in their imperfections, unpredictable in personality,  but still in possession of the most pronounced of canine character traits — unconditional love. It is in celebration of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month that I think about these dear old pets of mine and suggest that anyone considering bringing a dog into their lives consider the homeless.

And going hand in hand with that are some terrific collections of dog illustrations to promote this October observance or to use in any project where pooches rule:

iCLIPART.com Dogs

Clipart.com Dog Illustrations

ClickArt Online Dogs

Acclaim Images Dogs

TOONClipart Dog Cartoons

Great Photos for Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. To my way of thinking, for anyone looking for a new best friend it's the right way to go.

It's been four years since my husband and I shared our home with a four-legged friend. A high-energy, strong-minded, gorgeous husky mix, our Ani was, like most dogs, devoted, protective and loving.  I was, however, still shocked by how incomplete life felt after her passing.

We've always had dogs and I've never had problems getting another after one passes away. But not this time.  I think maybe it was the suddenness of her demise, or perhaps that I had to make the decision to end her life that hit so hard.  

Healthy and bouncy one day, she had within a couple of weeks spiralled downward, suffering lack of appetite, loss of bodily function and rapid weight loss. The diagnosis, cancer. The treatment, none.  Our girl was terminal and the vet assured me, as I vacillated between hanging on to her for as long as possible or easing her suffering sooner, that I had probably kept her alive longer than I should have.

Through the first few months after,  my husband kept telling people that of course we'd be getting another dog soon. However, in the face of my adamant refusal he has given up it seems. The thing is that  I don't miss a dog, I miss my dog.

Should I ever change my mind some day in the future, however,  I'm fairly sure that I will be visiting a shelter to find our new best friend.  I've never been one for designer dogs,  so would be quite content if the one that finds us just happens to be  a cute mutt.

To promote Adopt a Shelter Dog Month here are some great collections of photos:

iPHOTOS.com Dog Photos

Clipart.com Dog Photos

ClickArt Online Dog Photos

Great Dog Photos from BuzzFeed

National Geographic Dog Photos

3 Collections of Cute Children and Pets Illustrations

It was a pleasant fall evening last Friday, as we headed into our Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada.  Despite the promise of temperatures dropping below freezing, my husband was struck by the notion that it would be a great chance for the last campfire of the season.

So, as dark descended I found myself outside on a crisp autumn night, bulky in winter clothes, bundled in blankets, facing the warmth of a cheery blaze. Prepared for the less than balmy temperatures, it was actually not the least unpleasant and we enjoyed a quiet drink and conversation while listening to and watching the hypnotic crackle and dance of the flames.  The only difference between this fire and those held in the summer was the fact that no one joined us. Lights glowed from neighbours' homes, but none ventured forth to brave the elements with us.

Well, almost no one. A friendly, little cat, which seemed to have lost its way,  decided to befriend us. It spent the duration of the fire hanging out with us, curling up on first one lap, then the other, spreading warmth too with its cuddling and soothing purr.

Knowing that our animal-besotted granddaughter would be with us for Thanksgiving dinner in a few days, we both expressed our hope that this little ball of fluff would stop by for another visit with her.

Our wish came true and for a bit of time that day we were able to enjoy the enchanting sight of a small child delighted by the presence of a pet. He ran, she followed; she ran, he chased; he stopped, she petted.  And the look on her face while it was all happening was beyond heartwarming.

With these images still fresh in my mind as I headed back to work today and this blog, it seemed that bringing attention to illustrations of children with pets was appropriate. I hope you enjoy these nice collections from iCLIPART.com, Clipart.com and Acclaim Images