STUART McGINLEY: Cherish your furry friends

Last week the love of my love celebrated his 42 nd birthday, we've been soulmates ever since we met, despite him having bad breath and taking up all the bed.
Stuart McGinley with his dog JakeStuart McGinley with his dog Jake
Stuart McGinley with his dog Jake

I am of course talking about my border collie Jake, he has just turned six in human years and I just can’t believe how quickly time has flown by. There is something very special about man’s best friend and I can’t imagine life without him, they just have a way of knowing when you are upset and giving you a cuddle when you need it most, and the best thing of all is they never answer back unlike humans!

I’ve always had a special bond with my pets from childhood, I used to suffer from really bad night terrors and my beloved Collie Bodie used to sit on the bed with me so I could fall asleep feeling safe, and it was a real turning point for me as they gradually started to ease over time. I felt he was my guardian angel and was devastated when he died, I still get emotional now when I think about how much time we spent together.

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Bullying was a problem for me too when I was a teenager and there was a time when I wouldn’t leave the house much for fear of being beaten up, having a pet that needed regular walks helped me a lot to keep going out and not letting the bullies win, I knew he’d protect me too.

You just can’t beat having a dog and research this week showed that people who have a dog are often healthier due to the exercise required with those lovely walks, although it doesn’t always feel like that when you are getting totally drenched in the rain!

I read a message on a border collie Facebook page from someone heartbroken after they had lost their dog and someone said, “they give us so many happy days, and one we all dread” and it really hit home. So, put that phone and laptop down and give your furry friend a huge hug and really enjoy every day we have with them, because time flies just too fast.

Happy sixth birthday Jake!

:: More mutterings on Twitter @stumcginley

:: Hear McGinley in the Morning – weekdays 6-10 on Spirit FM

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