Andrea Rosebrock 
My dog and I live in this house. You are welcome to come and visit me anytime but we have a few things that you must understand before you visit.
You must expect a few dog hairs to stick to your clothes. I vacuum and clean every day but a Dog lives in this house too.
You may be licked and given a paw a few times but he does this because he loves people and wants to say hello, so if you feel that you are too good for his love then you are not welcome here because this is his home too.
My dog is well mannered and very clean but if you are one of those people who think all animals are dirty and smell then go away. You are not the type of person that I care to associate with.
If you don’t like the sound of barking, then my home is not going to be a comfortable place for you to visit. My dog protects me by letting me know I have a visitor. Whether it be a friend or uninvited stranger. If you are a friend, my dog will consider you his friend too but if you are an unwelcome guest, my dog will protect me with his life as I would his. Do not expect me to lock my dog in another room during your visit. I have trained my dog well so he will not do anything to you except maybe want a pat on the head. I will not subject him to feel as if he is being punished by locking him away for no reason. That would just be cruel.
When you walk in my home, be careful not to trip on a squeaky toy or a bone. These are my dog’s little
treasures and I will not take them away from him just to show you that I keep a clean house. He knows where all his toys are. They may not look like much to you, but to him, they are worth more than gold.
You see, This is OUR home. We have been together since he was a small pup scampering around the house, a tiny bit of a thing only a few weeks old. I raised him into a well mannered, beautifully behaved dog. I am proud of him.
I consider him my personal gift from God. He has done nothing but give me his endless love and devotion for many years. I love him dearly and want to make his years happy ones. As happy as he makes mine. When you go home to your family, he stays here with me. A fine and loving companion. He is MY family and I wouldn’t change that for the world. When times were hard, we both went hungry. When it was cold and there was no heat, we both kept each warm. When I was sick, he stayed right by my side as I did his when he was not having a good day.
A better friend I could not ask for. When no one else cared, my dog did. He has given me nothing but pure joy and I love him endlessly.
So please understand that I am not being rude. I’m just looking out for my best friend.
Author Unknown
I’ve seen several versions of this but I think this is about the best one. It’s the same in my home, my dogs are my babies, my family and if anyone who visits doesn’t like it, they can leave as easily as they came!
Amen!!! that is why I have my dogs….
I Love This !!! I have one worded just a little differently, but basically the same idea, hanging there for all to see when they come into my house. My dog’s toy box is right in the living room where he can reach his toy’s easily and bring them out when he wants, and yes, there are covers on my furniture where he wants to sit…I will remove them for company, but the toys and all will remain in place, and like you said, my boy is always there…if I’m there, he’s there. You visit me, you visit him too. He is part of my family. You don’t like dogs, well I guess you can’t visit. Oh well. There is no love (aside from my daughters) that is given so freely and so devotedly. I just love this furball so much. Hurts to see these stories where furbabies are harmed; could never think of that happening. Nice to see this kind of story. Thank you for printing this…it’s so close to my heart too.
What a great tribute to the babies we love so much! Thanks for printing it! I plan on posting this right by my front door for all to see. It is so true in my house, toys in the living room, furniture covered where they like to lay. I don’t dare lock them up when someone comes over, they love company too!!! As a matter of fact, when you come in my house, my boys both meet you at the door with their favorite toys in their mouth. They love to bring “presents” to anyone who visits. They are so proud! I love my furbabies just like my kids and if my friends don’t understand that then they need not visit!!!!
@Katrina, @Jen, @Barbara Trimble – I’m so glad you all enjoyed this as much as I did and it is just so very true.
My babies even have their own blankets with their names embroidered on them as you can see. They were a gift from a dear dog loving friend who thinks no doggie is complete without their own blankie.
Barbara, mine are the same way, they always bring their toys or something when they greet people at the door.
Jen, my dogs have their own toy box too and most of the time the toys are strewn from one end of the house to the other. Now if I could just teach them to put them away as easily as they get them out. LOL
Hi Group I need one them for my front door one thing no one said is you have 2 they are twice the fun … jeffrey
this is wonderful. thanx for posting it it brought a smile 2 my face….
dru
My sentiments, exactly. I love it when you post stories, or passages, like this. I’ve always had this attitude: love my dog (or cat), then love me. If for some reason you find my animals unsatisfactory, then get the heck out of my house. You are no longer welcome here.
So very true at our home! There is a wooden sign hanging on our door that says “Welcome to Critterville.” I never have quite trusted people who don’t love animals. Some of our furbabies have called this home for 12 to 15 years.. and they don’t get pushed aside for anyone! The affections of people may come and go, but a dog’s love lasts a lifetime.
Good for you, chideb. I feel the same way exactly and thank you Deanna for posting this. I, too, have seen different versions of this, but I agree that this is the best one I have seen, yet!