A psychological question concerning our dogs and us?

Studies have shown that when dog owners look at their dogs there is a release of the bonding hormone oxytocin into the blood. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone that is released when a mother feeds or looks lovingly at her baby and helps cement the bond between them. Research has demonstrated that when owners pet their dogs, both dog and owner experience a release of oxytocin. This promotes feelings of love and attachment as well as soothing pain and lowering heart rate and blood pressure

Same reason any animal does anything, the good we feel far out weighs the bad we feel when they pass. Like the dog that enjoys chasing bikes, it doesn't matter how many times he's kicked. The chase is fun. :)

First, you've chosen the wrong forum for your question. You should be asking this in the "health" category or, better yet, seeing a psychiatrist.

Second, as one who has owned dogs since childhood and bred and trained them for close to 40 years, your feelings are NOT normal! First, no human being should EVER "take a bullet" or otherwise place their lives in danger for the sake of a dog or any other animal, particularly if they have children -- and I hope you do not have children.

In my business, I come into contact with all sorts of dog-owners and quite frankly, if you came to me with a dog for training and I learned of your illness -- and that's what it is -- I would refuse to train the dog and I would have serious concerns about any dog you owned. People who lavish such attention on dogs usually have serious problems forming and maintaining human relationships and I wish there were rules that such people could not own pets because the pets belonging to such individuals are untrained and maladjusted.

As for why you keep lavishing such unnatural attention on an animal as short-lived as a dog, no one knows, but my guess is that you're a control freak and dogs -- unlike humans -- do not question your authority. My suggestion is that you see a mental health care professional and attempt to start interacting with your own kind. Your obsessiveness is detrimental both to yourself and your dogs and they would be much better off with a normal, well-adjusted person who allows them to be the animals they are and doesn't try to turn them into human substitutes!

You know the joy of having them is worth the heart ache. Just like children. My father did get to a place he would not get another dog. I am old and have dogs that will out live me. I have arranged to have them taken care of by a trusted friend.

i had a dog too..which died..i tried to keep myself calm but i couldn't because i felt the fun of him missing...try to take another dog it may help you overcome your feelings..and satisfies you that you have someone and it has someone too.i did the same nd i really feel a lot better now!

Because you love the dogs and they love you. here is a web site that can help you get over your loose. http://www.rainbowbridge.com/ When you are ready find and new dog and accept the love it will give you, THAT is why you do it.