e a meat-lover, but she

Your dog may be a meat-lover, but she or he is not a true carnivore, like cats.

Therefore, unlike other predators, dogs require more than meat for daily nutrition. It is true that no dog is the same, and nutritional and caloric needs of dogs do vary. Differentiating stages of the dog's life mandate evolving requirements, as well.

All dogs, though, require minimum quantities of six basic nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and water.

Dogs are not herbivores, either, so while plant-based proteins can be beneficial, they are lacking in some essential amino acids provided by animal-based proteins, and should never be considered a sufficient protein source in and of themselves. Commercial dog foods are often rich with plant-based proteins, which are more difficult for your dog to digest and absorb. The type of protein contained in the food is essential to know. Foods containing cereal proteins (wheat, corn, barley) have little nutritional value for dogs. Muscle meats, eggs and organ meats (such as liver) provide much more usable protein.

It was at this point

It was at this point that I realized I needed help.

I went through months and months of therapy but to no avail. Until one day Ralph the dog got very ill. He came down with a rare kidney disease and we had to put him to sleep. After that things went back to normal with my wife once again calling me Ralph.

I no longer had urges to do dog things. I became my old self again. But I often wonder what would have happened if Ralph the dog had never got sick and my wife continued to call me 'Lucky'?

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I just can't decide and it is driving me nuts. Should I get pet medical insurance or not. I can't sleep and I'm losing my hair.

another household pet.

Anyhow, after about a month of calling me 'Lucky' I noticed the dimensions of our relationship were changing. Not only between myself and my future wife but between myself and the dog.

Every time my wife called out the name 'Lucky' I would come running. And the dog would look at me strangely. Almost as if the dog was wondering - what in the heck is a human doing with a dog name?

Not only that but I could have sworn that the dog was sneering and laughing at me. Soon the dog stopped obeying me and began treating me indifferently like I wasn't its master but just another household pet.

It was around this time that I noticed I really enjoyed having me ears scratched by my wife. I would cuddle up with her on the sofa and put my head in her lap and she would gently scratch the backs of my ears.

Then one day we were out taking a walk and we decided to cut through a park. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a squirrel near a tree and for some uncontrollable reason I took off and started chasing it.

quirky lady but I love her.

When I first started seeing my wife she had a dog with the exact same name as me which is Ralph. (Why people give dog's people names I'm not sure?) When ever she called out our name we would both come running. It caused a lot of confusion. She decided to clear up this confusion by renaming one of us and it was me she renamed. She decided to call me 'Lucky'.

The first time I met my wife was in a casino in Atlantic City. I sat down beside her at a Black Jack table and the moment I sat down she started winning big. From that point on she considered me lucky for her and her pet name for me became 'Lucky'.

The only problem with that is that the name 'Lucky' is more of a dog name than a person name. I thought she should have renamed the dog and called him 'Lucky' and let me keep my real name. But, she didn't see it that way. She's a quirky lady but I love her.

est friend’ could never be truer.

Labradors are highly intelligent creatures, who love to play (especially in water due to their backgrounds in the fishing industry), and are easily trained from a young age, which is why so many are used as guide dogs and sniffer dogs. House training is relatively straightforward, and the dogs can be taught where to go to the toilet, and the general ‘house rules’ from a very young age. Elder dogs can also be trained, although it is advisable to do so when they are puppies to ensure best results. Due to their characteristics, Labradors often make superb family pets, and are very child-friendly. As with humans, they crave attention, and very much need to feel loved, and part of the family environment. They are relatively quiet, yet hugely enthusiastic and can provide the family with hours of quality entertainment. They are non-aggressive, kind and eager to please; they certainly aren’t dull, and their boundless energy means they will play for hours on end without getting bored or disinterested. Labradors most certainly are a breed where the phrase ‘man’s best friend’ could never be truer.

eir coats healthy and looking their best.

They are very active and energetic dogs, and therefore need plenty of exercise - ideally they should be taken for a walk twice a day, as they can become irritable and sometimes destructive if left to their own devices for too long. Labradors are not particularly fussy eaters, and in fact experts recommend that they are given the same types of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats that humans consume, in order to provide the best balanced diet. Many dog foods available commercially include a large proportion of these ingredients, but the key thing to look for when purchasing it is the word ‘fresh’. Dog foods that contain too many waste products, artificial preservatives and processed meats can lead to conditions such as obesity, which can be hard to reverse, especially as the dog gets older. The basic rule of thumb when devising a dog’s diet is not to feed them anything you wouldn’t eat yourself. Their coats are waterproof, and have a natural shine, which can be enhanced through their diet. Grooming is also important in order to keep their coats healthy and looking their best.

Labradors are a b

Labradors are a breed of dog which makes great pets, due to their loving, loyal and affectionate nature. Common types include black/chocolate Labradors, and golden retrievers, so-called because of their original duties of diving into the waters off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in the 17th CE, to fetch the fishing nets from trawlers. They cost around £300-£500 to buy, and can prove relatively cheap to look after, living up to the age of 15 (human) years old. These pets become very much a part of the family, and as each dog has its individual tendencies and characteristics, they can prove very difficult to replace. If they are from a good breed, veterinary bills can often be low, as they are rarely sick. Male dogs should be neutered, in order to prevent any scent marking, over zealous sexual behavior and fighting with other males.