this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2025
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My dogs help with everything I do. And I appreciate their help.
Most of their direct duties involved notification and security, but that doesn't just mean barking when someone's at the door. They often spot things around the house that are not right and bring our attention to them: a cat accidentally locked in a closet, the aquarium motor making noise because there's too little water, a slow water leak in the bathroom, etc.
My wife occasionally has vertigo and falls. We've had more than one dog that would dive under her head to keep it from hitting the ground. (That was not a trained behavior.) Our biggest dog also offers himself as a brace when needed.
They also provide constant morale support. Anyone who's feeling down gets cuddled within an inch of their life. And one dog will bring his stuffed animals and tuck them in around you to make you feel better. It is genuinely sweet, as well as cute.